Certified Public Manager Program

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Certified Public Manager Program Application

Certified Public Manager® Application – May 1 - May 30, 2025. Applications will be screened weekly for qualified candidates. Points will be given for early submissions: May 9^th : 5 points; May 16^th: 3 points; May 23^rd: 2 points.

Important things to consider in the process of applying to the Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM):

• You must currently hold a supervisory, managerial or staff District government position at the grade CS-12 or equivalent, MSS 11 and above supervisors and managers; [e.g. Excepted service–grade 7 and above; Legal–LX Legal Service Managers; MPD–Non-union Lieutenant and higher; FEMS–Non-union Battalion Chief and higher].  
• You must complete the application in one session. You cannot save an incomplete application.
• You must answer all questions and follow the directions as explained within the application.
• Please communicate your interest in the CPM Program with your supervisor before submitting your application.
• The Confidential Supervisory Evaluation Form will be sent directly to your supervisor after screening your application.
• You should expect to receive an email confirmation from CPM mailbox within 48 business hours of your submission. If not, please send email to cpm.dchr@dc.gov to double confirm with us.

Please type your essays in a Word document and upload into the application.

Please use single-spaced, 12-point font in Times New Roman.  Each essay needs to be 500 words or more.

Essay 1: Describe a time in your public service or government-related experience when you encountered a significant challenge that impacted your ability to serve the public effectively since the pandemic. What was the issue, what steps did you take to resolve it, and how did you collaborate with others (if applicable) to find a solution? What was the result, and what did you learn about effective problem-solving in a government or public sector context?

Essay 2: Given the current status of the government of the District of Columbia, especially the budget crisis in the District, what role can you, as a public manager, play in its resolution?