Certificate Programs

Foundations in Leadership (FIL) Certificate Program

Registration is now open for the FY 2008 FIL program! The next program is scheduled to be held in Washington, DC on April 14-18 and returning May 5-9, 2008. DOI employees must register through DOI Learn. Employees from all other federal agencies can register through the DOI University Web site.

Course Description:

This is an advanced, competency-based program designed to build upon the skills taught in the basic Executive Assistant Certificate Program (EACP) and targets mid-level administrative support staff. Candidates selected for the Foundations in Leadership Certificate Program will have a unique opportunity to explore and expand their leadership potential and technical competence in a formal 80-hour classroom, training program. The program emphasizes leadership skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, influencing, negotiating, and conflict resolution, as well as oral and written communications, interpersonal skills, and the federal budget process.

Foundations in Leadership Modules:

• Leadership Part 1 - Foundations of Leadership
  • Leadership Styles, Personal Leadership, Power & Influence, Analytical Thinking and Decision Making
• Writing for Results
• Leadership Part 2 – Applied Leadership Skills
  • Individual Effectiveness, Interpersonal Communications, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, Negotiating and Conflict Resolution
• Federal Budget Process Overview
• Putting It All Together

Target Audience:

This program is open to full-time permanent employees of the Department of the Interior at the GS-9 through GS-12 or equivalent grade levels. High performing GS-7/8’s may also be considered with their supervisor’s recommendation.

Competencies Addressed

Budget, Individual Effectiveness, Problem Solving, Communication, Analytical Skills, Leadership

Leadership Part 1

Participants will have many opportunities to reinforce their learning through the use of role-playing, self-assessments, case studies and a variety of small and large group activities. During the first two days of leadership training, participants will…

• Explore the foundations of leadership
• Define leadership and explore the characteristics of effective leadership
• Identify various leadership styles and when to use each
• Explore personal leadership and assess individual leadership skills
• Explore power and influence from a personal perspective
• Practice analytical thinking and the decision-making process

Writing for Results

We put things in writing for two possible reasons – to convey information or to request an action be taken. If we don’t convey this information properly, it gets reduced to background clutter and disposed without accomplishing its mission. We are held accountable to the mission failure and our credibility as a writer becomes suspect. In this course, participants will learn to…

• Write clearly, concisely, and correctly, in “plain language”
• Follow an orderly series of steps to produce effective writing
• Plan and organize points clearly and logically, using effective transitions
• Explore the importance of tone and discretion to avoid offending your readers
• Use fundamental research methods to support your subject
• Develop clear and concise, audience-appropriate messages
• Use e-mail effectively within the office environment

Leadership Part 2

Participants will have many opportunities to reinforce their learning through the use of role-playing, self-assessments, case studies and a variety of small and large group activities. The second portion of leadership training builds upon Leadership Part 1 by exploring leadership from a more personal viewpoint and providing opportunities for practical application. During this course, participants will…

• Identify their personal leadership styles
• Explore and increase personal effectiveness
• Identify techniques for effective interpersonal communications
• Practice critical thinking and problem solving techniques in the decision-making process
• Identify and use effective conflict resolution techniques

Federal Budget Process Overview

Congress has constitutional power of the purse. It has a significant impact on the budget authority an agency will receive. Understanding the life cycle of an appropriation and the concerns each phase is extremely important for those responsible for using budgetary resources or supporting professionals with that responsibility. This course will introduce participants to the four phases of the federal budget process, laws, and regulations. It will also explain how important their role is during each phase. During this two-day course, participants will…

• Understand budget authority and the background of the budget process
• Recognize the importance of the Anti-Deficiency Act
• Outline the life cycle of an appropriation
• Review the Department of the Interior’s appropriation
• Define budget-related terminology such as “full-time equivalents”
• Learn and apply formulas and other estimating techniques used in budgeting
• Understand the major issues in budget execution

Putting It All Together

This portion of the program gives participants the opportunity to review and clarify the value of the learning modules presented throughout the two-week program. Participants identify ways to apply the lessons learned into specific areas of their work and create an individualized action plan to help them achieve this goal.

For more information contact Rebecca Rabuck, Leadership and Performance Specialist at 202/208-3446.

To apply, please click on Classroom and Online Course Offerings.

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