Certificate Programs

Executive Assistant Certificate Program (EACP) - Introduction

The next EACP will be held February 2-6 and March 9-13, 2009 at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, WV. DOI employees must register through DOI Learn. All other federal employees can register through this website (www.doiu.nbc.gov).

Course Description:

The EACP program is designed to produce highly skilled, motivated, and professional administrative support staff. Candidates selected for the Executive Assistant Certificate Program have a unique opportunity to improve their skills through a formal 80-hour classroom training program. The EACP will provide training in the following modules:

Modules:

• Accomplishing the Federal Government Mission
• Office Management
• Interpersonal Skills/Personal Profile Systems (PPS)
• Grammar & Writing Skills
• Time and Stress Management
• Public Speaking Skills
• Putting It All Together

Target Audience:

This program is open to full-time permanent employees of the Department of the Interior at the GS-7, 8 and 9 or equivalent grade levels.

Accomplishing the Federal Government Mission

This course shows how to present a positive, competent, and professional image that reflects the standards and missions of the Department of the Interior. Emphasis is placed on the specific knowledge and skills needed to convey credibility, authority, and integrity in the business environment. Participants will be able to:

• Explain the Department of Interior’s mission and goals
• Recognize the value of aligning personal goals and values with those of the Department of Interior
• Manage business relationships more effectively
• Increase their levels of proficiency in critical areas associated with their role as Executive Assistant for the Department of Interior

Office Management

This course is designed to strengthen the ability to manage the cooperative efforts of a busy office environment, including specific work assignments and interactions with other divisions and bureaus. In this course, participants will learn to:

• Identify elements (people, resources, equipment) essential to achieving the highest levels of productivity and efficiency.
• Identify ways to enhance and improve upon current office management procedures and processes
• Clarify your role and duties as “Office Manager” for the Department of Interior

Interpersonal Skills/Personal Profile Systems (PPS)

The Personal Profile System personality instrument helps to better understand yourself and the people with whom you work and live. A second, vital ingredient for being an excellent communicator is a clear understanding of the dynamics of interpersonal communication. Good interpersonal skills allow for win-win relationships and outcomes. During this course, participants will:

• Recognize the importance of feedback and self-disclosure in establishing and improving relationships
• Maximize the strengths and minimize the weaknesses of their profile
• Discuss their behavioral profile and recognize behavioral tendencies in others, as well as how to appropriately respond in given scenarios
• Recognize non-verbal behavior and its importance to interpersonal communication
• Discuss the communication model, as well as the barriers to communications

Grammar & Writing Skills

Good writing is characterized by big-picture, conceptual understanding combined with nuts-and-bolts knowledge of grammar and punctuation. This course is aimed at helping to maintain a big-picture view of writing while also understanding and using the “nuts and bolts.” Additionally, this session helps to clarify the benefits and dangers, as well as the associated Federal and Agency guidelines, of using e-mail. Participants will be able to:

• Recognize basic grammar and punctuation rules
• Practice writing, editing, and proofreading their own and others’ work
• Minimize “bureaucratize” and opt for “plain language” to increase the readers understanding
• Explain the benefits and dangers of e-mail, as well as Federal and Agency guidelines for using it

Time and Stress Management

This course is designed to help individuals learn to better manage their personal time, manage their time in relation to their supervisor’s time, and minimize their stress levels. Participants will be able to:

• Recognize the difference between time management and self management, as well as how to address external time wasters
• Practice prioritizing your supervisor’s day
• Apply time management techniques to make the most of their time at work and at home
• Recognize the causes, symptoms, and stages of stress
• Identify multiple methods for reducing stress in their life
• Develop goals to help apply self and stress management skills

Public Speaking Skills

This course is designed to help minimize the fear of speaking in public and to gain confidence in assembling and giving presentations. Participants will:

• Develop strategies to deal with speaker’s stress
• Employ techniques to quickly organize and deliver clear, concise presentations
• Design and use appropriate visual aids
• Develop goals to apply and strengthen presentation skills

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.

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Executive Assistant Certificate Program - Introduction | Advanced Executive Assistant Certificate Program | Human Resources Specialist Certificate Program