Program develops senior civilian leaders Published April 5, 2011 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- The Civilian Strategic Leader Program director assignment offers a structured strategic path for developing future Air Force senior civilian leaders. The program serves as a process for identifying civilian employees at the GS-14 and 15 or equivalent levels who will be the most competitive for leading the Air Force at the strategic level based on their past performance and future potential, program officials said. The program provides a systematic, merit-based process for filling command-equivalent positions. Civilians are encouraged to apply through their local leadership to headquarters Air Force personnel by May 1. Applications are forwarded to the appropriate career field functional developmental teams, and from there vectored recommendations with ranking status are forwarded to the director screening board. Development team review boards meet between May and August, and the CSLP Director Screening Board convenes in September. Following approval of the final board results by the Air Force chief of staff, CSLP representatives coordinate with major commands to facilitate the bid/match process. MAJCOMs forward bids to CSLP and CSLP reconciles matches. Successful candidates are placed into the most challenging and critical command-equivalent positions for 36 months. CSLP officials said some of the qualities sought in potential candidates are high leadership performance, supervisory experiences, depth and breadth of experience, and mobility to any open position during the cycle. Senior developmental education and graduate-level degrees are also highly desired in candidates. Eligible employees must have held their current grade for at least 12 months; been in their current position for at least 12 months; and have at least one current Air Force appraisal. They must also possess a minimum 12 months of supervisory experience and hold a bachelor's degree. To learn more about CSLP DA and the application process, call Angela Kravetz at 703-695-8040 (DSN 225-8040), Tya Freed at 703-695-8283 (DSN 225-8283), or Jeff Parker at 703-697-0685 (DSN 227-0685). For information about other civilian developmental opportunities, go to the Air Force personnel services website and search for "CDE," or call the Total Force Service Center at 800-525-0102. (Courtesy of Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs)