Career Development: Competencies

What are Competencies and Why Are They Important?

A competency is a combination of skills, knowledge, characteristics, and traits that contribute to outstanding performance in a particular job. When you put a series of competencies together, it is called a competency model and shows you the difference between outstanding and average performance of that job.Basically, a competency is what outstanding performers 1) do more often, 2) do in more situations, and 3) do with better results than average performers.

Competencies create a common bond of understanding and a common language for discussing performance. They are used to clarify organization mission and goals and what it takes to achieve those goals. Competencies are also very useful in predicting the future skills that the organization will need.

You can use the competencies identified in this catalog to plan your training based on your individual and the organization’s needs. You may want to develop a new competency or strengthen an existing competency. Using the competencies as a guide to course selection will ensure that you are spending your valuable time and training dollars on the most appropriate learning activity.

Executive Core Qualifications

The Office of Personnel Management is committed to ensuring the quality of all levels of leadership throughout the federal government. Leaders must excel within a results-oriented performance culture, and the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) ensure they have the competencies to do so.

Recognizing the current and future needs of federal leaders, and the importance of succession planning and effective performance management, DOI’s Leadership and Performance Centers have carefully designed their training and development opportunities around these revised competencies.

The following pages contain OPM’s revised ECQs, which will be effective October 1, 2006.