Develop your first-line supervisory skills in six months. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offers the Supervisory Leadership Bridges Program twice a year. In 2021, both sessions will be held virtually. You can apply now through Feb. 2.
The Bridges program equips non-supervisory employees with critical leadership competencies, before they advance into supervisory positions.
The program includes three instructional weeks plus mentoring and job shadowing. If accepted into the program, you will:
- Increase your supervisory leadership knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Complete your first-year Cornerstone Fundamentals, required for all new first-line supervisors
- Gain an understanding of the DHS leadership culture.
- Obtain realistic expectations of the demands of supervisory leadership.
- Maximize your strengths and develop opportunity areas prior to selection as a supervisor.
Here’s what two participants said about the 2020 Bridges program:
“Considering the wealth of information relayed over the three weeks of virtual learning, I took away numerous key points, but the one that really spoke to me was the fact that, as a leader, you really need to give back and be there for those whom you are entrusted to lead. I was surprised at all the resources available to not only leaders, but every person in DHS.”
“This program was significantly more inclusive of the administrative side of leadership in the agency. It was, in a good way, surprising to see such a focus on that AND individual developmental topics.”
To be eligible, a candidate must:
- Be a GS-11, GS-12 or GS-13 (or equivalent) non-supervisory employee
- Have never previously held a federal civilian supervisory position
- Have at least one year of full-time employment at DHS
- Be employed within the following series: 1801 (Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement & Compliance), 1811 (Criminal Investigation), 132 (Intelligence), 301 (General Administration), 343 (Management & Program Analysis) or 2210 (IT Management)
- Submit required application documents
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