Anyone working in Federal Government trying for leadership ?

2014-09-30T08:28:50-04:00

I'm gaining more leadership and qualifications and responsibility since my last grade increase, but I'm interested in excelling. I was having this discussion with a friend yesterday and was wondering if anyone else has aspirations of Branch Chief or SES? If so, what are you doing to try to achieve it?
I'd love advice and/or feedback.
Thanks in advance!

Response by PO2 Jeremy Spears made Sep 30 at 2014 9:23 AM

2014-09-30T09:23:16-04:00

I'm currently with Treasury OIG and am working toward certifications. CFE is my first goal. Then eventually graduate school for an MBA or JD as I not only have a desire to be SES one day, but either hold a Presidential appointed position or run for office. I would however, consider going back to Indiana and running for Mayor, Governor, etc. where my connections run the deepest. I'm always pushing on doors to see when the next one opens and leaving the rest in God's hands to show me His path for me.

Response by Cpl Dennis F. made Sep 30 at 2014 2:25 PM

2014-09-30T14:25:59-04:00

Hell, I spent 20 years in FedGov....LOOKING for leadership;)

Response by PO3 Shaun Taylor made Sep 30 at 2014 6:34 PM

2014-09-30T18:34:13-04:00

I would like to find a find a government job that would allow me to keep climbing the ladder. I would love nothing more than to excel to the level where I get a leadership position that allows me to travel. I've been taking online classes on our intranet that pertain to the positions that interest me.

Response by SSG William Patton made Oct 1 at 2014 11:58 AM

2014-10-01T11:58:21-04:00

I have worked with federal programs, through state government, and interacted with so called federal leadership, my entire career. I can only speak of leadership through the USDA and HEW, but leadership and what the people I met showed, are far, far apart. I did not see a willingness to work with states or flexibility in problem solving. It was their way or no way and their way did not work. Then, when the results of their decisions came in, they blamed the state for not following their leadership, which of course we did to the letter. In 2009 I retired because I saw a drastic change coming and my agency was going to be overwhelmed, which it was. The federal government dictates, but it does not lead.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 6:51 PM

2014-10-27T18:51:25-04:00

Well now, work on the SES quals now ( will send you mine if you wish). You can apply as a GS14 for SES (not many people know that). You might also look at the Plum Book f or a political appointment under Schedule C (have known a few who did that--have to be connected).
There is also the SES Candidate Program which doesn't always have a stellar placement rate, but can be an excellent experience. Some universities also offer Executive Leadership courses--take it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2014 9:10 PM

2014-10-27T21:10:22-04:00

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member Not knowing how long you've been in the GS System or what your grade is, I will guess that you have completed the AMSC-Basic Course; If not, get enrolled and complete the online requirements and immediately apply for the resident course; If you have completed the Basic Course, then jump on the Intermediate Course completing the Online requirements and immediately apply for the Resident Course. At first what they try teach will seem like a bunch of nonsense, however the intent is build confidence, how to build influnence in small goups; a good bit on annual evaluations;

About half way through, it will all come together what the purpose is. They will throw a lot of concepts at you that should be implemented in organizations; however the one thing you will find out; at your present level, you are not in the position to do so, however later on down the road you may (will) be there!

The Resident Basic Course is either 2 or 3 weeks and the Intermediate is 3 weeks. These will give you the foundations that you will need as you move in Grade and hopefully get selected for a supervisor position.

Good luck, wishing you much success!

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Oct 29 at 2014 3:45 PM

2014-10-29T15:45:09-04:00

I am working towards my dream becoming of "King of the Nurses" :)

Response by SPC David Wyckoff made Oct 30 at 2014 2:08 PM

2014-10-30T14:08:50-04:00

I have 11 years with the feds. I can't offer any advice, only encouragement. Don't give up. There is always a way. I have found that for the most part the squeaky wheel gets the cheese...no wait.

Keep pushing. Keep prodding people. Don't let you dream die because someone you run into someone who is the typical gov drone.
I got up to GS-11 back in Alaska and ended up separating from service. I got a GS-05 security guard job on Peterson AFB and asked for night shift where I spent three years getting my degrees. I then spent three more years in the job I'm in now, which caps out at GS-08, until I was hired for my new position that I start after the first of the year. Its a 7, 9, 11 with a career path that eventually could lead to Field Office Manager. Took five years to get back to square one but I have 14 more to go before I can hang up my spurs.
I have a lot of rejections and failed interviews in that time on USAJobs, so don't get discouraged. If one avenue closes, stack up, take a deep breath, kick down the next door and toss the flashbang.
Sounds like you got some sound advice from good people here. Hang in there, you will get it.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 2:52 PM

2014-10-30T14:52:20-04:00

Lisa, take me to your leader!! lol PV2 Private RallyPoint Member

Response by SGT Chris Birkinbine made Oct 31 at 2014 11:53 AM

2014-10-31T11:53:21-04:00

Absolutely not. In my Opinion, Branch Chief is the most under-appreciated, overworked, taken advantage of position. On top of that I am on the technical side, and moving to a position such as Branch Chief would mean I am no longer doing technical work. I thought a bit about this at first, and even considered becoming a project manager, but I keep coming back to the same conclusion: I went to school to become a scientist and an engineer, not a manager. I did so because I love it, and I can't imagine leaving it behind.

That's my two cents though. Obviously there is some benefit to the position for some people else, we wouldn't be able to get people into the position.

For me though, I am going to excel at what I do, and try to be a leader in my technical field, rather than a manager of people as resources.

Response by CW4 Aaron Rasmussen made Nov 8 at 2014 11:42 PM

2014-11-08T23:42:57-05:00

Be flexible. Find a mentor who's close or who has been there. Diversify your career. Take the hard jobs.

I'm not at all interested in an SES career. I am working through the process of building a more robust resume for an agency in the Department of the Interior. Within my agency, the SES's are very open to all employees. They're busy, but they spend a lot of time trying to get out there and meet the employees. When we have employees going through leadership training, they love to be able to mentor those students. I'm in a "Leadership Academy" now, and have several high level leaders working with me and the rest of the class to help us do the things I mentioned in my first line.

Another important thing for me is, find an agency/department you can get behind and feel good about.