ABOUT THE COUNCIL The DHS Fellows program is administered by the nonprofit and nonpartisan Council for Excellence in Government which works to improve the performance of government, as well as, citizen’s participation, understanding and trust in government. Since 1988, the Council’s Excellence in Government Programs has graduated an elite group of more than 2700 public sector leaders who are making a real and significant impact—achieving results for the American people.

“...the best performance-based leadership development program outside the business world.”

Annie E. Casey Foundation

COURSE OVERVIEW The Department of Homeland Security, in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government, is pleased to announce the 2009 De-partment of Homeland Security (DHS) Fellows Program. The program begins March 17, 2009.

The DHS Fellows Leadership Program is a transformational experience with a unique concentration on leadership and management challenges specific to the Department of Homeland Security. The program develops, motivates and energizes collaborative, accountable, results-oriented career leaders.

This leadership program focuses on collaboration across DHS components, a common, compelling vision, unified operations, high-performing teams and results for the American people.

TIMELINE: The DHS Fellows Program will allow participants to remain on the job during program. DHS Fellows dedicate 2-3 days every six weeks to the program as well as participate in a 60 day rotational assignment within DHS. This will allow DHS Fellows the on-going opportunity to practice new leadership ap-proaches and skills. In addition, the team results projects will deliver value to the Department of Home-land Security throughout the year.

The DHS Fellows Program… • Targets GS-14s, 15s and exceptional 13s in

individual cohorts of 25; • Focuses on developing leadership through

individual and team coaching, practical and experiential learning, and structured practice and feedback;

• Benchmarks and assesses successful and innovative organizations and leaders in the public and private sectors;

• Organizes team results projects to translate learning into action and measurable outcomes in real time; and

• Builds an ongoing cross-component network of DHS career leaders.

CORE ELEMENTS OF THE PROGRAM

Individual and Team Coaching Coaching, rather than teaching, is the approach the Council uses to engage DHS Fellows on both personal and organizational levels. The coaching involves techniques including effective questioning, on-going feedback and motivation. Team coaching will supplement individual coach-ing sessions throughout the year. Team Results Projects DHS Fellows focus throughout the year on specific team results projects that will benefit the individual (by applying what is being learned in the program); the agency (by accomplishing an important, mission-related outcome); and the public as a whole. Each session will allow time for teams to work on their results projects with follow-up actions and communications between sessions. Rotational Assignments As a part of the DHS Fellows Program, Fellows will have the opportunity to complete a mandatory rotational assignment within the Department of Homeland Security. DHS Fellows will spend two months detailed to another component within the Department to gain a greater understanding of the various functions and responsibilities of that organization and foster greater professional networks within DHS. Exercises and Case Studies DHS Fellows focus on case studies of teams and leaders who have achieved important results in the face of process, resource and other barriers, and engage in exercises to develop their own leadership skills. Readings The required and suggested reading list is tailored to include readings relevant to the DHS mission and context. Examples of the reading list from the inaugural class include: The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, by Lawrence Wright, The Leadership Moment: Nine True Stories of Triumph and Disaster and Their Lessons for Us All by Michael Useem, The World is Flat by Thomas Friedman and From Good to Great, by Jim Collins.

Leadership Benchmarking DHS Fellows benchmark several private, public and nonprofit organizations. During these site visits, DHS Fellows interact with senior and mid-level leaders, learn from their successes and failures, and cull the lessons to apply to their daily challenges.

Previous benchmarking site visits include: New York City for a tour of Ground Zero and a visit to the New York City Office of Emergency Management, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, U.S. Secret Service Training Center, Petco Stadium, San Diego Super Computer Center, Microsoft Corporation, U.S. Coast Guard, San Ysidro Border Station and the Otay Mesa Detention Facility.

Self-Awareness and Skill Development A range of assessment tools will be used including a specifically designed 360-degree feedback instrument, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and others as appropriate. Coaches meet individually with the DHS Fellows to discuss the results of these assessment tools and to provide input for their leadership development. Throughout the year, DHS Fellows will be encouraged to reflect on what they are observing in each session and how they can apply the lessons learned to their jobs. Applying Learning Between Sessions Between sessions, DHS Fellows will apply the insights and learning of the previous sessions and prepare for future sessions. Activities include working with their teams to produce results projects, assigned and optional reading, working with their coaches, and applying new strategies in real time, on the job.

SESSION OUTLINE

Session 1: Mission, Vision, Values, and Context—New York City Focus: Examining the context in which DHS Fellows work; self-evaluation of their leadership behavior in the light of the organization’s goals, their personal goals and role of the public service in our democracy. The four-day session starts in a significant location such as Ground Zero in New York City and begins with a discussion of the DHS context and challenges lead by knowledgeable guest leaders with experience in relevant threats, risk assessment and emergency management. During this session, DHS Fellows will also discuss core values, vision and mission from the individual, organizational and national perspectives.

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Session Two: Managing for Results—Washington, DC Focus: The application of results-based accountability and performance measurement concepts; key success factors necessary for team results projects. Session Two begins by discussing a number of models for evidence-based decision making and measuring performance. The differences between outcome and activity results measures will be discussed. Exercises in which DHS Fellows play the roles of different stakeholders illustrate results-based accountability and performance measure-ment models. They will examine how leaders develop and communicate measurable goals along with how progress and success are measured.

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Session Three: Leading People—Location TBD Focus: What is transformational leadership? How is it reflected in the public, nonprofit and private sectors? The third session explores difficult issues around leading and managing people. DHS Fellows discuss with guest leaders from the private and public sector how they motivate individuals and teams, accomplish extraordinary outcomes and bring about change within an organization’s culture. DHS Fellows explore conflict and the various approaches that can be used to work through conflict and diverse perspectives to achieve high levels of performance. Additional discussions are focused on ethical decision-making.

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“Graduates of the Excellence in Government Fellows Program are better able to deal with change and are far more resilient. They leave the program with a new commitment, renewed purpose and dedication. They are a part of a new valuable peer and cohort group.”

Admiral Thad Allen

Commandant, United States Coast Guard

Session Five: Leading Change—Location TBD Focus: Hands-on learning from successful examples of transformational leadership and innovation in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. The program uses leadership “Benchmarking,” a model and framework for observing, understanding and applying the tools and techniques that leaders use to produce results. These benchmarking sessions help to develop a DHS Fellow’s ability to continually look for leadership lessons in all parts of their lives.

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Focus: Building cross-boundary partnerships and the application of leadership strategies to establish effective partnerships and coalitions. In this session, exercises and role-playing are used to enhance the negotiation and communication skills of the DHS Fellows. The importance of strategic outreach to stakeholders to enlist their support is illustrated through a role-playing exercise involving intense conflict among stakeholders.

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Session Six: Business Acumen—Washington, DC Focus: The art of decision-making under pressure and the strategic application of core business tools and functions. Business Acumen focuses on managing the essential functions of a group including human capital management, information technology, acquisition and financial management. Current business tools and leadership strategies are examined in the light of current and historical examples.

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Session Seven: Synthesis, Integration & Celebration—Washington DC This closing session focuses on how leadership competencies interrelate and their relevance to future leadership challenges. DHS Fellows participate in an inspiring graduation ceremony with their colleagues and family members.

DHS Fellows Program Guest Leaders The DHS Fellows program engages speakers who have faced real homeland security leadership challenges. In addition to federal, state and local government leaders, speakers with knowledge and experience in topics such as threat assessment, risk management, emergency planning, response and recovery, and information sharing and security are invited to provide a variety of perspectives on leadership in the homeland security

• Admiral Thad Allen, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Emilio T. Gonzalez, Director, U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Paul Nicholas, Principal Security Strategist, Microsoft

• Michael P. Jackson, Deputy Secretary (former) U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Joseph Bruno, Commissioner New York City Office of Emergency Management

• Ken Kawachi, Director of Security and Transportation Services, Petco Park, San Diego

• Jay M. Cohen, Under Secretary for Science and Technology, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Paul A. Schneider, Deputy Secretary (Acting) U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Michael J. Fisher, Chief Border Agent, U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Customs and Border Protection

• George L. Tanner, Ph.D, Chief Learning Officer U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Inaugural DHS Fellows group visit Ground Zero at the World Trade Center in New York City.

APPLICATION PROCESS: The Department of Homeland Security, assisted by The Council for Excellence in Government, reviews applications from each component agency in order to select a cohort of promising career GS-14s, GS-15s and exceptional 13s.

Selection Criteria:

• Broad representation of DHS components; • Outstanding performance and leadership

potential; and • Approval by agency supervisor; and • Willingness to work in teams to advance

solutions to critical challenges.

• Robert T. Mahoney, General Manager of Security, Office of Emergency Management, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

• David Haun, Deputy Associate Director, Transportation, Homeland, Justice and Services Division, U.S. Office of Management and Budget

• Christopher Mihm, Managing Director, Strategic Issues, Government Accountability Office

• Rear Admiral Tom Atkin, Deployable Operations Group, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Col. Terry Ebbert, Director of Homeland Security, City of New Orleans

• Chief Warren J. Riley, Chief of Police, City of New Orleans

• Rear Admiral Gary T. Blore, Assistant Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

• Lawrence Wright, The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11

BECOME A DHS FELLOW

Who should apply? Individuals with a rank at the GS-14 or GS-15 level. Exceptional individuals at the GS-13 level are encouraged to apply. What is the application process? Applicants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Coast Guard, Secret Service, and the Transportation Security Administration should submit applications to their respective component heads. Applications from all other components should be submitted to the Council for Excellence in Government. Application Deadline: Jan. 16, 2009

What is the tuition? Tuition for the DHS Fellows Program is $10,900. Tuition payments should be made to the Council for Excellence in Government. Purchase order, check or credit card payment is accepted. Tuition includes:

• Approximately 20 program days; • including the benchmarking/leader visits; • Books, readings and other course materials; • Self-assessment tools and analysis; • Individual coaching and development

planning around self-assessment results; • Use of the Fellows Skills Bank and on-line

collaboration tools; • Access to the Council’s resources, expertise

and networks; • Invitations to special Council events, such as

Evenings of Excellence and book discussion programs; and

• Invitations to special DHS Senior Fellows activities including lectures, programs and networking opportunities.

Are there other costs? Sponsoring organizations are responsible for travel expenses associated with events held outside the greater Washington DC area. The estimated cost for these trips is $4,500 per Fellow, based on travel from the greater Washington, DC area. For more information: Please contact Michael Huang at 202-728-0418 or email dhsfellowsinfo@excelgov.org.