Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program

Overview

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Senior Executive Service (SES) Candidate Development Program (CDP) is a competitive program designed to produce a cadre of SES-ready federal employees capable of being placed non-competitively into SES vacancies. Although successful completion of the SESCDP does not guarantee placement into an SES position, after completion of the program candidates are prepared with necessary Executive Level leadership qualifications.

About the Program

The USDA SESCDP is a competitive program, administered by the Office of Human Resources Management (OHRM), is designed to prepare a pool of qualified candidates for SES positions within the Federal Government.

The program is designed as a rewarding and demanding learning experience as participants interact with other high potential candidates and current executives from throughout the Federal Government.

The program focuses on:

• Development of a cadre of highly qualified candidates who are representative of the diversity of the USDA workforce to fill SES positions
• Strengthening of Competencies and executive core qualifications (ECQs) necessary to successfully perform in a SES position
• Broadening participants’ under-standing of USDA missions, programs, core values, and management challenges

Eligibility

Minimum eligibility includes being a Status employee of a Federal agency with at least 1-year of Supervisory experience equivalent to the GS-14 level (and above). Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Qualified individuals are those who have demonstrated through performance and experience, the potential to assume executive positions within the Federal Government.

Current Federal employees may apply. Current Federal employees outside of USDA are eligible to apply and will remain on their current agency rolls. The selection process is competitive.

Selection Process

There are several phases of the selection process. This includes review for minimum qualifications, rating, and rankings of resumes against ECQ’s, a structured virtual interview, agency/office and supervisor endorsement, performance record review, and USDA Executive Resources Board approval.

Participation in the program does not guarantee placement into an SES position. However, USDA Qualifications Review Board certification allows for non-competitive placement into SES positions.

Application Requirements:

• Standard resume
• Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) Narrative*
• SF-50

*ECQ narrative is to be no more than 5 pages to address all ECQs. To learn more about each ECQ, please visit OPM.gov.

Program Information

• There are two cohorts for the FY25 SESCDP, the FY25 SESCDP began in December 2024. Please see key program dates below.
  • The tentative timeline for the FY 2024/2025 Cohort 25A is as follows:
    • December 12, 2024: SES (ECQ) Webinar
    • January 13-15, 2025: AU Course – Becoming Authentic
    • January 16, 2025: SES (ECQ) Workshop
    • February 10-12, 2025: AU Course-Leader as Coach
    • February 13, 2025: USDA-DiSC Training
    • March 10-12, 2025: AU Course- Cultivating Collaboration
    • March 13, 2025: USDA SES (ECQ) Workshop
    • March 14, 2025: USDA-Assign Action Learning Project
  • The timeline for FY 2024/2025 Cohort 25B is as follows:
    • December 11, 2024: SES (ECQ) Webinar
    • January 13-15, 2025: AU Course – Becoming Authentic
    • January 16, 2025: SES (ECQ) Workshop
    • February 3-5, 2025: AU Course-Leader as Coach
    • February 6, 2025: USDA SES (ECQ) Workshop
    • March 17-19, 2025: AU Course- Cultivating Collaboration
    • March 20, 2025: USDA-DiSC Training
    • March 21, 2025: USDA-Assign Action Learning Project

*More program dates to follow upon scheduling confirmation

All scheduled training will be held in the Washington DC area. Travel will be required if coming from outside the area.

SESCDP Resources

Explore the resources below.

• USDA SESCDP Information Brochure (PDF, 745 KB)
• Visit OPM Candidate Development Programs
• Executive Core Qualifications (opm.gov) Overview
• Senior Executive Service FAQs (opm.gov)

Archive:

• FY25 USDA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program Information Webinar
  • Information Session Transcript (PDF, 133 KB)

Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility

Q: I do not yet have one year of experience at a GS 14/15. Am I still eligible to apply?

A: In order to be eligible for the SESCDP:

• Applicants must be civil service employees with at least one-year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-14 level (and above).
• Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Q: Am I required to get supervisory approval to apply?

A: Each agency may have their own internal procedures. Applications will be accepted through USA Jobs and will be open to all qualified applicants. To ensure agency consent, supervisory approval will be required once a candidate has made it to the interview portion of the process.

Application Requirements

Q: What am I required to submit with my application?

A: You must submit a standard resume, SF-50, and address ECQ’s in Narrative format (a total of 5 pages max to address all ECQ’s). There should be one story for each ECQ.

Q: Where do I apply for the Program?

A: The application process should be completed through USA Jobs.

Q: What dates will applications be accepted for the program?

A: The application will be opened from March 13, 2023 through March 27, 2023.

Program Details

Q: Is the SESCDP a full time or part time commitment?

A: The USDA Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program (SESCDP) program has both part- and full-time components. As a program participant you will not need to vacate your current position. There are various activities scheduled throughout the 15-month program which will be completed while maintaining your current job. The part-time components will consist of various off-site trainings, readings, and an action research project. Additionally, all candidates are required to complete a 120-day (minimum) developmental assignment that will be completed away from your home agency.

Q: Is travel required to participate in this program? Will the program be virtual or in-person?

There are both in person and virtual components of the program. If outside of the Washington, DC area, travel will be required. For approximately the first 8 months of the program, you can expect to travel to DC about one time per month.

Q: Who is responsible for paying for my program participation?

A: Once participants have been selected and supervisor approval has been granted, your home agency will be responsible for funding all costs associated with the SESCDP program, including your salary, program requirements, and all travel costs. The approximate cost to the agency for the program is $25,000 plus the cost of travel and per diem for each participant.

Contact Information

Office of Human Resources Management
1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20250
USDA.SES.CDP@usda.gov