The Presidential Management Fellows

(PMF) Program: Is It for Me?

UW-La Follette School SeminarSeptember 9, 2015

• If you are interested in working in the federal government and incredible professional development, the answer is YES!

What is the PMF program?

• The Federal Government’s most prestigious and competitive graduate fellowship

• Two-year, full-time position within a federal agency • Includes full pay and benefits (at hired GS level)

• Extensive training and development opportunities• Training and development geared toward target

position

• Upon successful completion, may be non-competitively converted to a permanent or term position

• Why be a PMF video: http://go.wisc.edu/4ntv6p

Program Requirements Consist of:

• Minimum of 80 hours of training annually

• At least one 4-6 month developmental assignment

• Optional rotational opportunities

• Assignment of senior-level mentor

• Participant agreement

• Individual development plan

• Annual performance plan

• Agency-specific requirements (if any)

Eligibility

• Graduate students from any academic disciplines who expect to complete an advanced degree (masters or professional) during the academic year (September 1, 2015 - August 31, 2016)

• Those who completed an advanced degree no more than 2 years prior to the opening date of the PMF Program's announcement

• Degrees completed between October 1, 2013 and August 31, 2016

• You do not need to be a US citizen, but do need to be authorized to work in the US. You must obtain citizenship by the time you finish your two years of service.

Open to All Disciplines Including:

• Accounting/Finance/MBA

• Information Technology/ Cybersecurity

• International Affairs/Policy

• Health/Medical Sciences

• Business Administration

• Environmental Sciences

• Public Policy

• Public Administration

• Human Resources

• Statistics

• STEM* & Law**

• Ecology, etc. (NEW)

*Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Track introduced in 2014 and in particular demand this year

**Law students eligible; however, PMF program not designed to provide training and development to compete for an attorney position

PMF Career Path

• Initial appointments at GS-9, 11, or 12 (or equivalent),based on applicant qualifications and agency need• So, salaries of $52,668 to $99,296

• Promotion potential up to GS-13 (or equivalent) duringfellowship

• Potential conversion to a permanent or term position

• Typical career path with limited experience (or equivalent):

• Appointment - GS-9, step 1

• 1-year anniversary - GS-11, step 1

• Program completion - GS-12, step 1

Federal Employment Benefits

• Student Loan Repayment Programs

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Health and Dental Insurance

• Paid Vacations and Sick Leave

• Life Insurance

• Long-Term Care Insurance

• Retirement Plan

• Additional information can be found at: http://go.wisc.edu/8r84w8

PMF Application Process

Application period is September 28-October 13, 2015

• Submit an on-line application (allow several hours)

• Upload resume and transcript• UW will ALSO need letter from registrar w/expected date

of degree:

• See: http://go.wisc.edu/789i49

• Contact certs@em.wisc.edu, provide student ID and expected graduation date

• Allow 5 business days

• Upload supporting documentation for any claims of Indian preference, veterans’ preference, and reasonable accommodations

• Complete on-line assessment and applicable essays

PMF Application Process Cont.

• Successful Semi-Finalists invited to in-person assessment in Washington DC

• Finalists selected, and have 12 months for appointment eligibility

• Upon securing position with a Federal agency Fellow

• Approximate timelines on PMF website

• Very competitive program! In 2015:• 7,800 applications• 1,015 semi-finalists• 602 finalists• 60-70% appointment rate over last several years

Assessment Process

• Applicants and Semi-Finalists assessed on the following:• Problem Solving• Interpersonal Skills• Oral Communication• Written Communication• Public Service Motivation• Personal Accountability• Adaptability• Technical Competence (for PMF-STEM)

• Assessment Preparation Guide will be posted under “Become a PMF” “Assessment Process” section at www.pmf.gov

Selection Process Step I: Assessment On-line, Un-proctored

• Must complete during two-week window (9/28-10/13)

• INDEPENDENT WORK

• On-line assessment• Situational Judgment Test

• Applicants indicate how they would respond in given situations

• Personality Test• Applicants respond to behavioral questions

• Essays completed during the application taken into consideration during the in-person assessment

• Semi-Finalists selected based on eligibility, completeapplication, and on-line assessment results (mid-Nov.)

Selection Process Step II: In-Person Assessment

• Semi-Finalists participate in in-person assessmentconsisting of competency-based questions (Dec.-Feb.)

• Participate at own expense

• Half-day process• Individual behavioral interview• Group exercise• Proctored written exercise

• Conducted in Washington, DC

• Scores factored in the selection of Finalists

Selection Process Step III: Job Placement Process

• Agencies notified shortly after Finalists are selected (March ‘16)

• Finalists invited to attend PMF Virtual Job Fair (April ‘16)

• Finalists search for agency positions on-line via the PMF website

• Available positions change throughout the year

• 12 months from the date selected as Finalists to secure appointment with agency Fellows

• Employment policies and incentives determined byindividual agencies

• All degree requirements must be completed prior toOnboarding (Aug. 31, 2016)

Application Tips

• Successful application package consists of

• Resume (can’t revise once uploaded)

• Transcript (+ letter from registrar if info missing on transcript)

• Supporting documents if claiming Indian preference, veterans’ preference, and/or reasonable accommodations

• Completion of the on-line assessment

• Completion of the essays

• Ensure system and browser requirements are met

• Sufficient time (~ 3 hours) to prepare, review, and submit prior to announcement closing

• Review all instructions and FAQs

• Additional details found under the “Become a PMF” section of the PMF website (http://www.pmf.gov/)

Note: They will be looking for easy ways to eliminate applicants!

Stay Connected

Join the PMF Listserv to receive important information (ex. application and eligibility information, newsworthy events, program changes)

• Subscribe instantly on-line at http://go.wisc.edu/f167mh

• Monitor “News & Events” section on PMF Website:www.pmf.gov

• Facebook Page: www.facebook.com\PMFProgram

• Also recommended: http://pathtopmf.com/

Contact Information

Presidential Management Fellows Program U.S. Office of Personnel Management 1900 E Street NW, Room 6500 Washington, DC 20415 Application Inquiries: pmfapplication@opm.gov*

Website: www.pmf.gov

• NOTE: Please use the pmfapplication@opm.gov mailbox for all inquiries regarding the application cycle and assessment process. Applicants should follow the Help instructions provided during the application process for technical assistance.

Overview of the Path to becoming a PMF

QUESTIONS?

Hilary ShagerAssociate DirectorLa Follette School of Public Affairshshager@lafollette.wisc.edu

Marie KokoGovernment Careers SpecialistL&S Career Serviceshttp://go.wisc.edu/fl198p

Guest speakers & additional info

• Andrew Peppard, 2012 MIPA • Don Eggert, 2015 MPA

• http://www.lafollette.wisc.edu/news/two-students-make-finalist-stage-of-presidential-management-fellows-program-2015

• Another chance to learn about PMF:• September 22, 1-2pm, Union South• LFS alum Chad Ruppel (2004 MPA/URPL)