ELIGIBILITY:

All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements and must be employed by COG's member jurisdictions:

• Middle to senior management, particularly positions involving regional focus or responsibilities as a primary function. (Examples: supervisory or managerial positions at the senior professional level, division chiefs, department heads and directors.
• Bachelor's degree or comparable work experience.
• Full-time, regular staff, having completed any employment probationary period required by the respective jurisdiction.
  Non-contractual or term position.
• Supervisory approval to attend the training.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applying to the Institute for Regional Excellence, Regional Executive Development Program is comprised of process as described below. Candidates are evaluated by a committee composed of representatives from the George Washington University and COG. This application process is independent of any criteria individual jurisdictions may develop to determine who may apply to the program.

Step 1: Application Materials

All applicants must submit a completed application, including a resume and a letter of recommendation, by the July 1, 2013, deadline. Faxed applications will not be accepted, nor will extensions be granted. Candidates who have submitted a complete application by the deadline, met all the requirements, and whose application has been deemed to meet acceptable standards may be invited for further interview.

Acceptable standards include: a thorough application packet; a well-written, reasoned essay; and relative rank given to educational background, professional accomplishments, awards, and recognition. The letter of recommendation is considered as well.

Step 2: Interview

The screening interview may be conducted by a panel of representatives of the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, The George Washington University Center for Excellence in Municipal Management, and other senior government officials from around the region. Results of the interview process determine final selection for participation in the program.

The interview is designed to find out more about the applicant including other items that may not be clear on the resume. It will also focus on skills and abilities such as: problem-solving, judgment, organizational planning, teamwork/teambuilding, reasoning, and leadership.

DESIGNATION AND FEES

The 12-month Regional Executive Development Program (REDP) consists of 300 credit hours leading
to a "Certified Public Manager®" designation upon successfully completing all classes and projects.
The fee is $3000.00 per participant, payable to the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments
before classes begin.