Program

PMDE is a developmental program established by Center management for the purpose of providing to selected technical and professional administrative employees the work experiences, training, guidance, and direction necessary for them to assume key management positions on the Center's flight programs and projects and in other Center directorates. Although initially established to eliminate a threat to the continuity of professional management of flight programs and projects due to retirements/buyouts, the program has interests to expand to all Center directorates. Program and Project Management is a discipline which requires very specific training and experience. The PMDE program ensures continuity in professional, high quality Program and Project Management at the Goddard Space Flight Center; thus assuring a well-trained cadre of graduates as potential Center managers. PMDE was initiated in 1990.

Process

Since its inception in 1990 there have been seven PMDE classes. Optimally, a general announcement is sent out to all Civil Servants at Goddard (Greenbelt and Wallops) in January through March, describing the program and alerting employees that job announcements will be posted for a period of 3 weeks. However, on occasion this schedule has been delayed, or a determination is made that a class will not be selected in a given year. Normal competitive placement procedures are used except that applicants must also include the latest narrative summary of their performance from their supervisor, and provide a one to two page statement concerning his/her interest in Program/Project management.

In the near future, competitive personnel placement ads (Technical and Professional Administrative) will be posted Centerwide for the next PMDE group.

Key features of the program are as follows:

1. The selection process will be formal, rigorous, and based on specific selection criteria
2. Entry level of this year’s class will generally be GS-12 through 14 for technical and GS-12 through 13 for administrative applicants.
3. Participants selected for the PMDE program will remain in their current discipline position and organization during the initial development and training. Reassignment to developmental positions can be made at any time based on individual selectee’s development and position availability.
4. Final selection will be made by the Director of Flight Programs & Projects, only after coordination with and agreement by the potential selectee’s Director of.
5. Up to 25 percent on average of the participant’s time will be applied to satisfying the developmental training and work experience requirements of the program in addition to the individual’s fulltime position.
6. Position Description addendums will be prepared for each participant. These addendums will outline the participant’s PMDE program responsibilities.
7. Upon graduation from the program, the participant’s full performance level will be GS-15. Actual promotion will be dependent upon completion of requirements, position availability and performance of the participants.
8. A specific PMDE training and work experience element will be incorporated into the employee’s performance plan.
9. A PMDE Advisory Board evaluates and recommends applicants for selection to the selecting official, develops program training/work experience requirements, monitors participant progress/performance and determines participant continuance in the program.
10. A mentor generally from the ranks of the senior Flight Programs and Projects Directorate managers, will be matched to each participant. The mentor’s role will include guidance, counseling, and direction, initially in working with the mentee in preparing an IDP for review by the Advisory Board.
11. The PMDE will provide to participants accelerated development which will qualify them for direct assignment to positions of progressive responsibility and promotion opportunity without further competitive advertising.

Applications in response to the competitive personnel placement ads should include the following:

1. Complete an up-to-date Personal Qualifications Statement (OF-612)
2. A copy of the most recent performance appraisal (narrative only); and
3. A statement of professional career objectives and interest in Project management (not more than two typewritten pages).

Specific technical and professional administrative vacancy announcements will be announced in the ensuing weeks under the Center’s Competitive Placement Plan, NET January, 2007.

There are no job opportunities open at this time in the PMDE program. Please check this site again for information on a General Announcement which is expected to be published NET January, 2007.

Information:

For additional information about PMDE you may contact either Howard Ottenstein, Code 403, extension 6-8583, e-mail hottenst@pop400.gsfc.nasa.gov or Mark Goldman, Code 114, extension 6-8852, e-mail mgoldman@pop100.gsfc.nasa.gov