Candidates sought for civilian leadership program Published March 26, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Monique Randolph Air Force News Service WASHINGTON (AFNEWS) -- Air Force officials are now accepting applications for the Civilian Strategic Leader Program, formerly the GS-15 Leadership Development Program, through April 20. Although the name of the program has changed, the goal remains the same: to develop eligible GS-15, Pay Band 3 or equivalent-level civilian employees for senior leadership positions. "We have a responsibility in the Air Force to maintain a viable civilian workforce, and that involves growing competent civilian leaders and preparing them properly to assume senior civilian positions," said Roger M. Blanchard, assistant deputy chief of staff, Air Force Manpower and Personnel. CSLP was designed to bring civilian senior leader development and career management practices in line with current general officer, senior executive corps and colonel practices. "The Air Force tries to identify high-potential officers early, and we try to develop them deliberately and move them into senior leader jobs," he said. "The civilian side is no different. We try to identify high-potential people, develop them deliberately, give them an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and grow them into senior leadership positions at either the Pay Band 3 level, or above that at the Senior Executive Service level." Under the program, civilian employees apply to compete for senior leadership positions based on experience, cross-functional broadening and geographical preference. Any civilian employee currently in a GS-15, Pay Band 3 or equivalent-level position can apply for CSLP online. As part of the application process, participants receive a personalized assessment of past accomplishments and a recommended career vectoring based on their education, professional foundation and future goals. "One benefit to the program is that applicants receive a tremendous amount of senior management scrutiny throughout the application process," Mr. Blanchard said. First, the applications are evaluated and endorsed by line supervisors and commanders, he said. Then, they are assessed by a developmental team made up of senior members of their occupational community who give the applicants vectors, or advice, as to what their next developmental activity or assignment should be. Finally, the applications are reviewed by a board of general officers and SES members from functional areas across the Air Force. "If you're trying to make yourself available for senior-level assignments, having senior-level people fully aware of who you are and your potential is a key part of that," Mr. Blanchard said. More than 300 employees have logged into the site and 150 employees have applied for the program since open call began March 19, surpassing last year's numbers in one week, said Alison Stogsdill, deputy, Air Force Senior Executive Management office. "Applicants can apply year after year if they're not accepted this time around," she said. "They'll still receive their [career] vectoring and hopefully, they'll take that feedback and do the things suggested to be more marketable for the following year." Additionally, there is an "opt out" option on the Web site for those who qualify for the program but have circumstances that prevent them from applying this year, Ms. Stogsdill said. "The 'opt out' provision recognizes fact-of-life things that happen to people," said Mr. Blanchard. "People may be fully prepared to meet all the requirements and then have something occur in their lives that changes their availability. Opting out doesn't hold any prejudice against them and they can still apply the following year." Civilian employees who aspire to senior leader jobs have four major things to consider when applying, he added. First, they should think carefully about the kinds of experiences they have and still need in order to hold a senior position. Second, they should be open to diverse experiences outside of their functional communities. Third, they should consider positions across the Air Force as well as in joint environments. Finally, they must be willing to relocate. "It's not so much about mobility as diversity of experience," Mr. Blanchard said. "The Air Force is a worldwide enterprise. We have interests and operating locations all across the globe. We have complicated, diverse organizations, and we expect leaders to have complicated, diverse experiences. If you aspire to a very senior position in the Air Force, the expectation is that you will serve where the Air Force needs you to serve." For more information about CSLP, call Sheila Mulhern at (703) 695-4018, or e-mail sheila.mulhern@pentagon.af.mil. To apply for CSLP, visit https://slcms.hq.af.mil/cslp07/survey/login.asp Comment on this story (comments may be published on Air Force Link) Click here to view the comments/letters page