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AL Fellowship Guidance Document………………………… 3

Supervisor Sponsorship Form, Appendix A……………….. 8

Application Cover Sheet, Appendix B………………………. 9

Statement of Understanding, Appendix C…………………. 11

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) mission presents technical, professional, management, scientific and engineering challenges which have significant impact on the environment and health and safety of the public and the Department’s employees. Such high potential risks require that the Department’s staff maintain a high level of competence in their disciplines. However, the unique nature of the operations and hazards at the Department’s sites and facilities requires leadership in addition to expertise. Coupling these challenges with stringent environmental, health, and safety standards necessitates establishing a continuing education program that addresses the changing needs of the Department as well as the individual.

The continuous improvement of the Department’s technical, professional, and management capabilities, provides the basis for implementation of the Department’s AL Fellowship Program. This Program reinforces and enhances technical, professional and managerial competencies of Departmental staff by employing a variety of educational, training, developmental, experiential, and qualification activities. The Department’s AL Fellowship Program provides competitively selected Departmental employees an opportunity to obtain an advanced degree on a full-time basis in order to meet and overcome the technical, professional and leadership challenges associated with the Department’s operations.

Applicants must be a AL Department of Energy employee holding a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Applicants must be GS-12 or higher with a minimum of 3 years of Federal government civilian service (including at least 1 year of service as an employee in the office under which the application is being submitted).

Service requirements should be met by August 1 of the year the annual fellowship is advertised. Applicants must be reasonably confident of being accepted into the school(s) and program of study proposed. The proposed full-time study must be in a subject area of value to the participating office with required thesis or dissertation work focusing on an appropriate functional or program area.

On an annual basis, the Human Resources and Training Division, Training and Development Branch (HRTD/TDB), will announce the program.

Each applicant must submit the required documentation, as defined below, to the Program Coordinator by the advertised deadline. Late application material will not be accepted and incomplete application packages will be scored lower. The Program Coordinator will review the applications for completeness and eligibility. Application packages should be arranged in the order listed below and should include only those materials specifically requested in the announcement. Applicants should submit the following (original and three copies) to the HRTD/T&DB, Attn: Molly Saenz, Program Coordinator:

• Supervisory Sponsorship Form (Appendix A)

• Completed AL Fellowship Program Application Cover Sheet (Appendix B)

• A description of the candidate’s academic goals and their level of commitment to this academic field of study.

- Description of proposed program of study (including list of proposed course work and its relevance), its scope, and its relationship to:

a) AL's mission

b) The Department of Energy as a whole

c) The candidate’s career plans

- How the proposed field of study will benefit DOE

- How the proposed field of study will benefit AL

- Post-fellowship role of the candidate in the AL office

- Demonstrated characteristics and/or performance that exemplify AL’s confidence in the candidate’s ability to complete the Fellowship program successfully

• The candidate meets the eligibility requirements as stated in the Educational Opportunity Announcement

v The candidate’s two most recent performance appraisals

• Three one-page letters of reference (in addition to the immediate supervisor’s recommendation)
• 3410, Training Request Form

An AL Fellowship Program Selection Committee, made up of AL staff appointed by the Office of Management and Administration Manager, will evaluate the applications of eligible candidates.

The Program Coordinator will serve as the Committee’s executive assistant and is responsible for:

v Convening the necessary Committee meeting(s)

v Determining and certifying candidate eligibility

v Providing the Committee members necessary guidance and information

Committee members will review and evaluate all eligible applications and assign a numerical score. The Committee will meet to discuss each applicant’s ratings and to develop their recommendations.

Evaluation of applications will be based on:

v An assessment of the candidate’s success in chosen academic area based on a review of the application materials

v An assessment of the candidate’s success in chosen career path based on a review of the application materials

v Potential benefit to DOE/AL of candidate’s advanced education

v Interview of top candidates by selection committee (if needed due to close scores)

The Program Coordinator will provide the Committee’s recommendations and a list of the candidates, ranked according to overall numerical scores, to the AL Manager. Selections will be made based on the Committee’s recommendations and other factors deemed relevant by the AL Manager.

Selection will be made without regard to age, race, sex, color religion, national origin, lawful political affiliation, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.

Each applicant will be evaluated against set criteria by a selection panel consisting of senior managers. Please note that a selection will be made based on annual funding, value, and benefits not only to the participant but also to the organization.

Committee members, who have close personal/working relationships with a particular candidate, may elect to forego rating that particular candidate. This should be noted on the Candidate Evaluation Form and the candidate's score will be determined by the combined ratings of the other Committee members.

NOTE: AL reserves the right not to make a selection.

This program supports the following competencies for the 360° Appraisal System under the Management Behaviors area: >1.2 Goal Accomplishment >1.2 Leadership >1.3 Pursuit of Excellence >1.7 Professionalism

The Albuquerque Operations Office will pay full salary and benefits to fellowship participants during their graduate study. The office is also responsible for payment of the candidate’s tuition, books, and laboratory fees ONLY. Application, travel, parking, and testing fees are the responsibility of the candidate.

The AL Fellowship Program will be administered in full compliance with Department of Energy Orders and appropriate sections of the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Energy Policy Act of 1992 amended section 162 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 162) provides that employment away from home in excess of one year will NOT be treated as "temporary." Therefore, the section 162 deduction for business travel expenses incurred while away from home will not be allowed for any period of employment in excess of one year. This rule is effective for costs paid or incurred after December 31, 1992. As a consequence of the new rule, any amounts paid to reimburse an employee for expenses not deductible under section 162 must be included in the employee’s gross income and will be subject to withholding.

Fellowship recipients will be required to sign a Continued Service Agreement prior to commencing their studies. Specific conditions of the agreement will be consistent with the individual training circumstances.

• Must nominate high potential employees.
• Work with participant to develop an IDP.
• Support and authorize training and development activities for program participant.
• Provide developmental opportunities for participant that includes support, supervision, oversight, as well as feedback and guidance.
• With participant, provide end of semester report to Program Coordinator.
• Accountable for scheduling leave, reporting time and attendance.
• Preparing performance appraisals 90 days after return to duty (reference DOE Order 331.1).

• Be committed to successful completion of the program.
• Identify a mentor to provide advice and counsel, as well as assist in providing evaluations of progress.
• With supervisor and mentor, develop an IDP to reflect course of study proposed for the Fellowship.
• Inform supervisor and program coordinator of academic progress and problems at the end of each semester.
• Submit End of Program Report to supervisor and program coordinator no later than 3 weeks from end of semester.
• Request annual and sick leave, notify supervisor of scheduled school breaks.

• Work with supervisor in the development of the IDP.
• Provide advice and counsel.
• Conduct scheduled progress reviews with participant.
• Provide support/assistance in identifying meaningful developmental opportunities.

• Coordinate and manage all aspects of the program.
• Provide for and manage funding required for training.

• Assist participant, supervisor and mentor in preparation of IDP.
• Maintain program records.
• Conduct follow-up evaluation with participant six months subsequent and annually thereafter.
• Provide End of Program Report to Assistant Manager.

I HEREBY AGREE, to sponsor _________________________________________ in the ______________

__________________________________ and at the onset of the Program, I will help to set goals
and objectives for the program and work with participant to develop an Individual Development

Plan (IDP). I will provide support, supervision, oversight, as well as feedback and guidance.

Subsequent to completion of the Program, I will ensure and authorize utilization of their

acquired skills by providing meaningful work assignments, involvement in challenging

developmental opportunities and participation on challenging work details.

Supervisor__________________________________________ Date_______________________________

Signature___________________________________________ Title________________________________

Work Phone_________________________________________

Period of Time You Supervised Applicant___________________________________________________

Rating of Potential: Please provide a written assessment below of the applicant's potential focusing on indicators such as educational pursuits, self-study, formal training, leadership skills, work assignments, etc: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Name ______________________________________ Office ___________________

Title ______________________________________ Grade ___________________

1. Two most recent performance appraisals:

Year 1999

Circle one:

Pass Fail

Year 1998 Composite Score ______

Circle one:

Pass Fail

2. Degrees held:

Degree ______ Field ________________ Granting Institution ________________

Date Completed ____________ Overall GPA ______ on a scale of ______

GPA (w/in major) ______ on a scale of ______

Degree ______ Field ________________ Granting Institution ________________

Date Completed ____________ Overall GPA ______ on a scale of ______

GPA (w/in major) ______ on a scale of ______

Degree ______ Field ________________ Granting Institution ________________

Date Completed ____________ Overall GPA ______ on a scale of ______

GPA (w/in major) ______ on a scale of ______

Degree ______ Field _________________________ Length of program ________

Name and location of institution ____________________________________________

Anticipated start date _________ Anticipated completion date ________

4. Financing:

a. Direct costs of program (up to 16 months): Total ______________________

Tuition ________ Books _______ Laboratory fees ________ Other fees ________

b. Contribution of applicant (direct costs): Total ______________________

Tuition ________ Books ________ Laboratory fees ________ Other fees ________

Housing _______ Per diem ______ Other

c. Outside contributions (scholarships, etc.): Total ______________________

Tuition ________ Books ________ Laboratory fees ________ Other fees ________

Housing _______ Per diem ______ Other

I understand that any amounts received by me under the Department of Energy Fellowship Program for travel subsistence and transportation allowances for temporary duty in a single location in excess of one year WILL be included as gross income and WILL be subject to withholding.

______________________________________________ _____________________