Office of Leadership (DCMS-DPR-5)

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Commandant (DCMS-DPR-5)
U.S. Coast Guard
2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE
Stop 7907
Washington, D.C. 20593-7907

Aspiring Supervisor Self-Development Program

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June 16, 2025 —

About

The Aspiring Supervisor Self-Development Program is available to all civilian employees who wish to pursue development at their own pace and schedule, without the restrictions and commitment of being in a cohort-style developmental program. It provides an intensive exploration of the expectations and responsibilities inherent is serving as a first-line supervisor at DHS.  

Participants will engage in:
  • Online coursework
  • Two informational interviews with first line supervisors
  • Two shadowing experiences with two different first-line supervisors lasting 1-3 days each
  • 8 hours of mentoring.
    • You are encouraged to identify a mentor who has at least 1-2 years of supervisory experience within the Coast Guard, and outside of your chain of command.
    • You can self-identify a mentor or work with the Coast Guard Mentoring Program for to pair you with one.
Optional Opportunities:

This program assists DHS towards meeting the requirements of 5 CFR 412.201.

Participant Objectives

Once you enroll, you will receive a Program workbook that will guide you through the activities and provide you a space to document your completions along the way.   

The program includes reading, learning through experiences such as shadowing and interviewing seasoned supervisors, receiving mentoring, and reflection for the following objectives:  

  • Understand the reality of expectations and responsibilities for DHS first-line supervisors   
  • Challenge yourself to respond to real-world scenarios and then conduct interviews with seasoned supervisors to learn more about their perspectives and decision-making abilities.  
  • Learn about the art and science of supervisory leadership by completing a minimum of 5 learning experiences (i.e., virtual, reading, videos) addressing a minimum of 5 essential leadership competencies.    
  • Shadow two seasoned supervisors for 1-3 days each and better understand the complexities of real-world supervisory leadership in real time.  
  • Consider your own values and strengths and assess your interest and alignment in becoming a supervisor, now that you’ve learned what it takes. 

Eligibility 

All Coast Guard civilian employees who wish to develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in preparation for potential advancement to a supervisory position are eligible to complete this program.  

(Note: this program is intended for non-supervisors; however, those newly transitioning into supervision or those in acting supervisory roles may equally find it to be valuable.)

Timeframe

The requirements may be completed at an individual’s own pace—there are no time restrictions. Because of this flexibility, learning doesn’t have to interfere with work demands or schedules with long absences typically required of traditional classroom training programs.

Application Procedures 

To get started, please complete the Aspiring Supervisory Leadership Program Intake Form.

Note: While a supervisor's signature is not required to register, interested participants are expected to have made your supervisor aware of your interest in undertaking this program, given that you will be conducting many of these activities during your workday. 

FAQs

Please access the Aspiring Supervisory Leadership Program Fact Sheet and FAQ here.

Program Manager 

Mrs. Alyssa Lombardi Blase


GS1-10 GS 11-13

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