Presidential Management Fellows Program

DOI Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program:  Since 1977, the PMF Program has been the Federal Government's premier leadership development program for advanced degree candidates.  The program targets individuals who have recently graduated from a qualifying accredited educational institution.  To be eligible, applicants must apply within 2 years of advanced degree completion.

Individuals appointed to this program are referred to as Fellows and are placed in a dynamic, 2-year leadership development program on an excepted service appointment.

Two BLM employees conducts fisheries biology research in a stream. BLM New Mexico photo from employee contest.

The features of this program are as follows:

  • Enter into a written agreement (i.e., Participant Agreement) that outlines the Fellow and agency expectations and roles & responsibilities;
  • Establishment of an Individual Development Plan that outlines the position-specific training needed to ensure leadership as well as career development and preparation for conversion;
  • Assignment of a mentor, who is a managerial employee outside of the Fellow’s chain of command; 
  • Establishment of a performance plan to clarify expectations and potential for advancement;
  • Complete at least 80 hours of formal interactive training per year of the program (160 hours total);
  • Complete at least one (1) developmental assignment of 4 to 6 months in duration that is full-time, outside the Fellow’s normal duties and immediate office, with management and/or technical responsibilities; and
  • Optional, but encouraged the completion of at least one (1) short-term rotational assignment of 1 to 6 months in duration that is full-time, outside the Fellow’s normal duties and immediate office.

Upon successful completion of the PMF Program and receipt of certification from the DOI Executive Resources Board, a Fellow may be noncompetitively converted to a permanent or term appointment in the competitive service.

Find more information at: USAJobs Student and Graduate Page and the Official Presidential Management Fellows Program site.

Apply today via www.USAJOBS.gov!

2019 PMF Application Dates

The PMF Program Office has announced dates for the upcoming PMF Class of 2020 application. The application is currently open and will close at noon (EST), Thursday, October 17, 2019. More information and how to apply is located here.

Point of Contact

Find a BLM Pathways Program Coordinator near you for information about current opportunities.