DOD CIVILIAN CAREERS

Wide Array of Training Programs

DOD fosters a community of growth and learning. Whether it is through one of the many formal training programs ithin the Department or pursuing an individual learning plan designed with your supervisor within your career field, employees’ career goals and objectives are always at the forefront.

Leadership development programs – the Department has 5 leadership programs that support the growth of employees at all levels in their careers. These include: Defense Civilian Emerging Leader Program (DCELP), Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP), Defense Senior Leader Development Program (DSLDP), White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP) and Vanguard Senior Executive Development Program (Vanguard).

Centralized Enterprise Civilian Talent Management Program (Emerging Leaders Fellows Program) - A two-year program to provide leadership development and broadening experience for the continuation of a career track toward senior leadership in the Army Civilian Corps.

Enterprise Leadership Program (ELP) - The Enterprise Leadership Program (ELP) is designed to develop a strong foundation of critical leadership competencies for GS-13 Supervisors.

DLA Pathways to Career Excellence (PaCE) Program – A 2-year training program designed to train entry-level personnel for subsequent advancement to the journey-level in mission critical career fields.

Extended Term Training - The Extended Term Training (ETT) Program provides funds for employees who are pursuing a graduate or doctoral degree in an area that supports one of the Division's core equities and applies to all departments. The program allows selected employees to attend classes on a full, three-quarter, or half-time basis. Employees can apply for salary, tuition and academic fees to complete their graduate or doctoral degree.

Leadership Education and Development (LEAD) - Key components of the one-year LEAD Program are leadership training, mentoring, development planning, networking, and organizational observation. Key activities include SES brown bags, briefs, leadership book discussions, classroom leadership training, a 6-week rotational assignment, and a team capstone project that focuses on leadership challenges.

New Leader Program (NLP) - Designed to prepare employees at the GS 7-11 levels for management and leadership positions. The program objectives are to give motivated individuals the confidence and training they need to set and meet personal and professional goals, expand their network, and broaden their experience.

Promotion Potential Options

Positions within the DOD are designed to support the mission and the responsibilities of the specific organization as well as encourage the career growth of employees. Many positions are created with promotion potential already established (commonly referred to as "career ladder"). Beyond these types of positions, there are opportunities across the organization to compete for promotions from entry level, journeyman, leadership functions, and senior executive roles. With hundreds of career fields, thousands of locations, and hundreds of thousands of positions, the options to grow your career are endless.

Here are just some of the employment programs designed to support growth for employees.

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Professional Development Center (PDC) Program - The program is designed for recent college graduates, veterans or individuals changing careers, and provides a structured, two to three year development program that includes formal education and training, diverse rotational assignments, extensive on-the-job training, and challenging work assignments.

Naval Acquisition Development Program (NADP) - The purpose of the NADP is to develop highly skilled professionals through a two to three year training program. The NADP provides highly qualified and talented entry level employees an opportunity for rapid advancement, regular promotions, systematic development, career broadening assignments and graduate education through a structured, systematic career development process using a career field Master Development Plan (MDP).

Positions Available Globally

Interested in exploring new places, experiencing different cultures, and meeting new people, then DOD is the employer for you! There are opportunities for Civilian careers in over thousands of locations across the world. As you navigate through your career at DOD, you can fulfill your dreams of living abroad, exploring new parts of the continental U.S., or just staying close to home.

Career Advancement Opportunities

The DOD is made up of 33 individual Agencies and Components – each with their own operations in support of each other and the overall DOD. With over 950,000 Civilian employees, the DOD offers a myriad of options to explore new opportunities for advancement in your current field or seek new challenges across the organization.