The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is taking significant steps to enhance the careers of its civilian workforce. Recognizing the invaluable contributions of civilians to the Air Force and Space Force missions, the DAF has launched the “Civilians We Need” Career Model. This innovative talent management process is designed to cultivate both expert leaders and technical specialists, ensuring a robust and adaptable civilian corps ready to meet future challenges.
This new approach acknowledges the diverse aspirations and backgrounds of DAF civilians. It moves away from a one-size-fits-all development path to offer two distinct yet equally valued career tracks: the enterprise leader track and the functional expert/leader track. This dual-track system aims to improve retention, promote diversity, and provide clear pathways for professional growth within Air Force Career Programs For Civilians.
Two Distinct Career Paths for Air Force Civilians
The “Civilians We Need” Career Model is built upon the foundation of two specialized tracks, each catering to different career ambitions and skill sets within Air Force career programs for civilians:
1. Enterprise Leader Track
This track is tailored for civilians who aspire to leadership roles at the enterprise level, including positions within the Senior Executive Service (SES). The enterprise leader path emphasizes developing a broad skillset through diverse experiences. Key components of this track include:
- Breadth and Depth of Experience: Opportunities to gain experience not only within their primary functional area but also across different departments and roles within the DAF.
- Geographic Mobility: Encouragement of geographic mobility to broaden perspectives and gain experience in various operational environments.
- Professional Military Education (PME): Integration of PME opportunities to foster a deeper understanding of military operations and strategic leadership.
This track prepares individuals to tackle complex, organization-wide challenges and lead diverse teams within the Air Force civilian structure.
2. Functional Expert/Leader Track
For civilians who are passionate about developing deep technical expertise and becoming leaders within their specific functional domains, the functional expert/leader track provides a dedicated pathway within Air Force career programs for civilians. This track prioritizes:
- In-depth Technical Knowledge: Emphasis on achieving mastery in a specific functional area through focused training and experience.
- Formal Education: Encouragement of advanced formal education, such as master’s or doctoral degrees, to enhance technical expertise and analytical capabilities.
- Institutional Memory: Valuing and fostering the retention of experienced professionals with deep institutional knowledge to ensure continuity and expertise within functional areas.
This track recognizes the critical role of specialized expertise in maintaining the Air Force’s technological and operational edge.
Addressing Disparities and Enhancing Diversity
The impetus for the “Civilians We Need” Career Model stemmed in part from the 2020 Racial Disparity Review and a recent RAND study. These studies highlighted disparities in senior civilian positions, particularly at the GS-13 level and above. Factors such as geographic mobility requirements and traditional PME pathways were identified as potential barriers to advancement for certain demographic groups.
The new dual-track system directly addresses these concerns by offering flexibility and choice. By providing an alternative to the traditional enterprise leader track, the functional expert/leader track reduces the emphasis on geographic mobility as a prerequisite for advancement. This opens up leadership opportunities for a broader range of talented civilians, promoting greater diversity at senior levels within Air Force career programs for civilians.
Career Roadmaps: Guiding Your Path in Air Force Civilian Careers
To provide clarity and direction, the DAF has developed career roadmaps for both tracks. These roadmaps serve as guides for civilians to strategically plan their:
- Job experiences
- Educational pursuits
- Training opportunities
- Leadership development
These roadmaps are designed to be flexible, acknowledging that career aspirations can evolve over time. Civilians can switch between the two tracks at any point in their careers, ensuring the model adapts to individual needs and changing goals.
DAF-level roadmaps provide a general framework, and career field managers are developing more specific versions tailored to individual career fields. These detailed roadmaps will be accessible on MyVector, the DAF’s professional development platform.
Shaping the Future Civilian Force
The “Civilians We Need” Career Model and its associated roadmaps are integral components of the DAF’s broader “Growing Airmen of the Future” initiative. This initiative aims to strategically develop both military and civilian personnel to effectively address the challenges of the future.
By investing in its civilian workforce through these enhanced Air Force career programs for civilians, the DAF is ensuring it has the talent and expertise necessary to maintain air and space superiority. The “Civilians We Need” model is codified in DAF Manual 36-142, “Civilian Career Field Management and Force Development,” which now includes references to the Space Force and updates previous guidance.
For more in-depth information, you can watch the official “Civilians We Need” Career Model & Roadmaps Video. Explore the new career pathways and discover how Air Force career programs for civilians can help you achieve your professional aspirations within the Department of the Air Force.
