Federal employees that leave for the private sector or academia to gain more experience may have an easier time returning to government jobs, under a rule proposed by the Office of Personnel Management Dec. 26.

The rule would enable returning employees to enter back into a government job without competition at a higher level than when they left, if they have gained the experience and skills to warrant such a higher position.

Under current regulation, a returning federal employee can be reinstated without competition only at a grade level that is no higher than the one they originally left.

“Oftentimes, when an individual leaves federal service, he or she acquires skills and/or experience that may qualify the individual for a position at a higher grade level than the one the individual held prior to leaving government,” the proposed rule states.

Read more at FederalTimes.com

The Preparing to Lead program is a professional development opportunity for federal employees who are interested in pursuing a career in leadership at their agencies. Participants practice strategies to help them become more effective employees and develop critical leadership skills they will be able to use throughout their careers.

Through the course of this five-month program, participants will:

• Aspire to continue a career in government service
• Begin to develop essential leadership attributes
• Develop a better understanding of self
• Understand how to build and utilize relationships to more effectively manage responsibilities
• Think strategically about how to deliver results and contribute to maximum impact on their agency’s mission

Robertson alumni can for our Professional Development Fund to help pay for this program.

Learn more and apply

• Jan. 21 – Section 1 Discussion Questions
• Feb. 3 – Section 2 Discussion Questions
• Feb. 17 – Section 3 Discussion Questions
• Feb. 28 – Facebook Live Book Club Discussion with the Author