Long-overdue revision for executive guidelines after a span of 15 years
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is revising the qualifications and characteristics used to select and assess members of the Senior Executive Service (SES), with the updates set to take effect on July 1, 2023. These changes have been influenced by technological advancements, particularly in the realm of artificial intelligence (AI) and data.
The name of the technology management sub-competency has been modified to "leveraging technology." This shift reflects the growing importance of technology in government operations. Interpersonal skills, building workplace culture, and strategic communication have been added as new sub-competencies, reflecting the need for effective leadership in a diverse and dynamic work environment.
Data literacy and systems thinking have also been incorporated as new sub-competencies, underscoring the importance of understanding and utilising data effectively in decision-making processes. The ability to demonstrate proficiency in competencies related to AI and data has been assessed as part of the updates.
The updates have been mandated by both the 2023 AI decree issued by former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden's 2023 AI executive order. The orders require OPM to review Executive Core Qualifications with consideration of data and AI literacy competencies and implement new qualifications as appropriate.
OPM's Executive Services and Workforce Development Center will provide office hours, training, and operational support to agencies to ensure the new ECQs are successfully implemented. However, none of the areas related to the implementation of the new ECQs have been priorities at the center of government, leaving a lot of operationalization to agencies to figure out.
Ronald Sanders, a former OPM associate director, suggests the Trump administration should "junk" the updates to the SES executive core qualifications and "start over." Sanders argues for an ECQ category focused on skills and experiences in leading "inter" operations (e.g. interagency, interdepartmental, intergovernmental, international).
Jason Briefel, from the Senior Executives Association, expects the updates to look different when implemented and notes the need for a system to document and show these skills to OPM. Briefel also mentions the need for agencies to have resources, focus, and learning programs to ensure executives are up to speed with the new skills demanded by OPM.
Prior to updating the ECQs, OPM examined over 55 competency models from various organizations, held panels with SES members from more than 45 agencies, and conducted a survey that received over 2,600 responses. These steps were taken to ensure the updates reflect the needs and perspectives of the SES members and the organizations they serve.
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