Applying for roles as a Senior Executive is exciting, but it can also be intimidating.
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Senior Executive roles are not entry-level positions, and they demand a lot of responsibility.
Many people don’t even know how to go about applying for such a position.
Perhaps surprisingly, USAJOBS.gov has a specialized hiring path even for senior executives.
This is an official government website with senior executive positions that need to be filled.
In the federal government, there are specific qualifications for what constitutes a senior executive.
Applicants may be eligible for a Senior Executive Service position if they pass the five Executive Core Qualifications, which are commonly referred to as ECQs.
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First, though, let’s take a look at what the Senior Executive Service is.
The Senior Executive Service is a key leadership organization in the United States government.
It is full of senior positions that shape policies, manage programs, and oversee operations across multiple federal agencies.
There are a multitude of benefits to being a senior executive.
Senior executives are responsible for strategic leadership and effectively setting goals, allocating resources, and ensuring key government services operate smoothly.
They are often involved in many different forms of interagency collaboration and initiate multi-department programs.
Being part of the SES provides individuals with massive career advancement opportunities within the United States government.
These senior roles are above the General Schedule (GS) scale.
Because they are above the GS scale, senior executives receive very nice compensation and benefits at a much higher rate.
They also enjoy a better level of job security.
For those looking for a senior executive-level job in the federal government, there are a few different options.
The first is obviously being part of the Senior Executive Service, but there are also senior executive-level jobs outside of the SES.
If an individual did want a job in the SES, they should know that it involves executive positions such as managerial, supervisory, and policy positions that are above General Schedule (GS) grade 15 or equivalent positions for most Executive Branch agencies of the federal government.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for a Senior Executive Service Position?
Most people will not be eligible for a Senior Executive Service position.
Applicants must have a history of incredible leadership and managerial skills.
They must have excellent communication and know how to build relationships with customers and employees.
Senior executives also need to be dedicated to the government and ensure that federal executive management adequately serves the needs, petitions, and objectives of the people of the United States of America.
In terms of defined requirements, anyone is eligible to apply to an SES position as long as they are a United States citizen or national.
However, to meet the qualifications, they have to meet the five Executive Core Qualifications, which are also called ECQs.
These ECQs help determine performance management and leadership development.
They measure the broad executive skills needed to perform well in an SES position.
The five ECQs are leading change, leading people, results-driven, business acumen, and building coalitions.
There are two primary ways someone can apply for a Senior Executive Service job.
The first is to apply for an SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP).
The second is to apply directly to a federal agency for a specific SES position.
Let’s cover what a SESCDP is first. A SESCDP is meant to recruit and develop senior executive leaders.
Individuals who pass this program and display the five ECQs get their certification from the OPM-administered Qualifications Review Board (QRB) and then they are eligible for SES positions without more competition.
It’s important to note that individuals being eligible for SES positions without further competition does not mean they are entitled to an SES career appointment.
If these qualifications are already met, then candidates can apply directly to a federal agency for a specific SES position through USA JOBS.
The first thing to do is make an account with login.gov and then make an account with USAJOBS.gov.
With the USA JOBS website, applicants can add the Senior Executives hiring path to their profile.
Right now, as of June 1st, 2023, there are almost a hundred positions under the Senior Executives hiring path.
It is easy to find Senior Executive jobs to apply directly to on the USA JOBS website because listings will have a dark blue briefcase icon.
Individuals can apply by clicking on a position and then clicking on the “Apply” button and filling out the relevant information.
One specific document that applicants must submit is their OPM Qualifications Review Board Certification for SES.
The QRB assessment has to be successfully completed for consideration for an SES position.
This document, along with any other required form, can be uploaded on the USA JOBS portal.
There is an exciting variety of different roles and departments that require senior executives.
An example of a position currently available is the Division Director, Division of Equity for Excellence in STEM with the National Science Foundation.
This position has a starting salary of $185,335 per year.
Another example is a position as an Associate Chief Financial Officer for the department of Agriculture.
The starting salary for that position is $200,729 per year.
It’s also important to recall that not all senior executive-level jobs are within the SES.
There are other agencies in competitive or excepted service with executive-level jobs.
These might have different qualification requirements from the SES. Some are often a little more lenient.
On the USA JOBS website, there are almost a hundred unique leadership opportunities in federal service that need to be urgently filled right now.
These positions all require a smart, capable leader, who is ready to take their career to the next level.