Update: The recruitment for Cohort 11 of the White House Leadership Development Program has been paused until further notice.
The Office of Employee Development (OED) and DOI University (DOIU) are pleased to announce that the application window for the White House Leadership Development Program (WHLDP) opened on February 4, 2025. This is a highly competitive program for high-potential career GS-15 employees poised to enter the next generation of career senior executives. The WHLDP is sponsored by the Executive Office of the President (EOP) and the President’s Management Council (PMC) and supported by the Performance Improvement Council (PIC). It is a 1-year placement with weekly development programming.
WHLDP Fellows are placed in a development assignment that is largely outside the Fellow’s subject matter expertise working on challenging, cross-agency initiatives to develop the skillsets and networks that enterprise leaders need: a whole-of-government perspective, stakeholder collaboration and engagement, working across boundaries without formal authority, and working outside traditional agency structures. The WHLDP requires Fellows to leverage their skills to drive progress on mission-critical programs, such as the Cross-Agency Priority Goals, and deliver long-term strategic results.
All assignments are non-reimbursable, located in Washington, DC, and agencies are responsible for travel and/or relocation expenses that may be incurred for Fellows from outside the DC-area.
NOTE: WHLDP’s operational posture has shifted, and all assignments are back to being in the DC metro area including the in-person leadership development program.
Please note that this is not a Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program. There is no guarantee for placement into a Senior Executive Service (SES) position as a result of participation in this program. Participation does, however, provide experience that may be used in developing Executive Core Qualifications.
Application Process
DOI is participating in the WHLDP’s self-nomination application process, so applicants will apply directly to the WHLDP program.
A complete application package includes the following:
- Application Form - Review the self-nomination application questions before submitting the application form.
- Resume - Tailor resume to this experience, limit it to 10 pages or less, include security clearance status, and submit as a PDF.
- Supervisor’s approval letter template – Download the supervisor's approval letter template or create your own letter. At minimum the WHLDP requires the supervisor’s name, email, confirmation that they support the nominee to dedicate 100% of their time to the WHLDP, confirmation that the applicant exceeds expectations in their current role, and are confident they will commit to the goals and objectives of the program if selected. The letter must be submitted as a PDF.
Notes:
- Only current permanent GS-15 employees are eligible to apply to the program.
- Each item must be submitted in the same email but as separate attachments. Please do not scan your completed application, resume, and approval letter together.
- Enter Department of the Interior for Department/Agency field and your bureau/office in the Component field on the application.
- Use Shari Hanscomb, shari_hanscomb@ios.doi.gov, & 202-748-6021 for the Agency POC on the application.
Application packages are due April 1, 2025 and must be submitted to whldp@gsa.gov. Copy doiu_lead@doi.gov when you submit your application package to whldp@gsa.gov. The 11th cohort will begin in October of 2025.
Resources
Please review the following resources for more information on the program:
The WHLDP Team hosted an Information session on Zoom for interested employees and managers on January 29. The Zoom recording of the information session is now available. Use password W71uQ%^x to access the recording.
A WHLDP graduate from USGS, Paul Wagner, is available to meet with individuals to share his experience with the program and advice for applying. Please contact him directly at pwagner@usgs.gov if you would like to connect with him.
A current WHLDP Cohort 10 fellow from DOI, Anthony Lomelin, is also available to connect with anyone who has questions about his experience in the program. Please contact him directly at Anthony.J.Lomelin@omb.eop.gov if you would like to connect with him.
Contact Shari Hanscomb, DOI WHLDP Manager, at shari_hanscomb@ios.doi.gov, or doiu_lead@doi.gov for questions.