The Office of Personnel Management is moving forward with SES reforms, releasing new guidance for alternative submissions to Qualifications Review Boards on March 11.
In addition to the standard QRB submission, which includes an essay submission of no more than 10 pages demonstrating the candidate's Executive Core Qualifications, agencies are now encouraged to develop their own resume-based method.
The guidance provides agencies with tools to assist in the application of the new resume-based submission, including structured interview questions, an SES hiring workbook and a video of OPM's interagency forum where leaders discussed successes and best practices.
"Because the resume-based application method may reduce the quantum of information an applicant is capable of submitting, this method is often best-suited for the senior-most positions requiring highly-experienced executives whose accomplishments may be readily presented," OPM officials said in the guidance document, released on March 14.
The move continues the implementation of the Obama administration's December executive order to reform the Senior Executive Service with a mix of incentives and accountability measures.
The QRB determines whether candidates will be admitted into the SES and is made up of a selection of executives from several agencies. The executive order required that OPM develop new QRB standards in order to streamline the "current lengthy essay requirement," which had been seen as a possible impediment to attracting new applicants.
Acting OPM director Beth Cobert said, in a release, that the new guidance would help address the individual nuance agencies may need when looking for executives to fill their leadership needs.
"The guidance provides a framework and multiple options to address a variety of agency needs and preferences, while empowering agencies with appropriate flexibility to determine and implement the most effective solutions for each agency's successful SES hiring and mission accomplishment," she said.
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