FAQs
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: The Public Service Leadership Circle is designed for West Coast-based federal employees with less than five years of federal experience only. Employees from any GS level or wage grade are welcome to apply.
Q: What application materials must I provide to be eligible?
A: You are required to submit a copy of your resume with all your professional work experience, both inside and outside of government. You must also submit a supervisor approval form.
Q: How will I know if I’m accepted?
A: The Partnership will send you an email notifying you of your acceptance status within a week after the application deadline.
Q: I’m no longer able to attend, will I receive a refund?
A: If sessions have not yet begun, you may defer your participation to a later cohort or transfer your enrollment fee to a colleague who can attend (pending an application review) by contacting [email protected].
If you have participated in one or more sessions, we will
determine whether a credit or partial refund is appropriate on a case-by-case
basis.
Q: Can I reapply if I am not accepted into the program?
A: Yes, you are able to reapply as long as you meet the cohort’s eligibility requirements.
Q: Is there an application fee?
A: No.
Q: How much is tuition?
A: Tuition is $1,200 and covers all course materials. This includes articles and management tools, online collaboration tools, and access to the Partnership’s resources, expertise and networks.
Q: When is the tuition deadline, and what are the options for tuition payment?
A: Pay should be arranged prior to the first session (the
specific date will be provided in the first program communication to accepted
applicants). Your agency is responsible for paying tuition. We do not accept
payment from individual applicants.
We accept the following forms of payment: credit card (Visa,
MasterCard or American Express), purchase order or Standard Form 182 (SF-182).
The Tuition Form will provide instructions to request a purchase order that can
be paid by your agency through Automated Clearing House transfer or check.
We will work directly with an agency contact—such as a
training coordinator or human resources specialist—who is responsible for
paying tuition, and we will need you to provide us with a contact’s name, email
and phone number. Your requests for tuition status updates should be sent
through that contact.
You are committed to paying the full tuition once you begin
the program.
Q: What should I do if I have to miss parts of a session or an entire session? Do you offer make-up sessions?
A: Participants can make up a session the next time the program is offered.
Q: Where will the sessions take place?
A: All sessions will take place online. Platforms will be determined based on participants’ preference and permissions.
Q: How does this program differ from the Partnership’s other offerings, such as Preparing to Lead and Foundations in Government Leadership?
A: This program is shorter and discussion-based and offered at a lower cost, with the goal of making our training more attainable for regional employees on the West Coast.