What is the Capital City Fellows Program?
The Capital City Fellows Program (CCFP) is an initiative of Mayor
Anthony Williams to attract recent graduates of master’s degree
programs in public administration, public policy, urban planning,
and related fields to work for the city of Washington, DC. Candidates
compete for two-year fellowship appointments during which they complete
four six-month rotations in different city agencies. In addition
to on-the-job training in their host agencies, Fellows are given
unique opportunities to meet with high-level city officials and
participate in educational and professional development seminars.
A new class of Fellows starts working for the city each July.
In 2003, the District added a new Capital City Fellows Engineering
Track. Applicants must have a master's degree in engineering. The
new class of engineering fellows will also begin each July.
How do I apply?
For the Fellows who will start working in July 2004, applications
are due postmarked by January 2, 2004. Candidates for July 2003
have already been selected. To apply, candidates must complete an
application form which includes, but is not limited to, official
undergraduate and graduate transcripts, a resume, a writing sample,
and three letters of reference. Applications are available several
ways:
- In person at the DC Office of Personnel's Center for Workforce
Development, 441 4th Street, NW, Suite 850 North, Washington,
DC 20001
- By phone or email to Program Manager, (202) 727-1523 or Capcity.Fellows@dc.gov
- On the web. Download the 2004
Application*. (Right click the link and choose "Save Target
As" to save it to your computer.)
Who is eligible?
Candidates must have earned their master’s degrees within two years
and seven months prior to the start of the July fellowship. In other
words, Fellows starting in July 2004 must have earned their master's
degrees between December 1, 2001, and July 1, 2004. Waivers to this
recency requirement are granted in exceptional cases. Please contact
the program manager for more information.
There is no subject-specific master’s degree requirement although
the program mainly attracts people focused on public administration,
public policy, urban planning, or engineering. Law school graduates
are also applicable. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to
public service and an interest in public policy and management.
In addition, Fellows must be District residents or become District
residents within 180 days of starting work.
What is the process for selecting Fellows?
A committee reviews all the applications and invites superior applicants
to an all-day interview session held in the District in March. [Note
that candidates are required to pay their own way to the interview.]
At the March session, the committee evaluates applicants based on
an individual interview, a writing exercise, and a group exercise
completed that day. Candidates are informed of their status by mid-April.
Fellows start working in mid-July.
What types of work do Fellows perform?
Each placement is unique and host agencies involve Fellows in a
range of projects and processes, from budget development and analysis
to strategic planning and constituent services. For example, the
Fellow assigned to the Office of Personnel might work on training
city officials on the performance management system, whereas the
Fellow assigned to the Office of the City Administrator might work
on launching the Neighborhood Services Initiative.
Do Fellows get to select their placements?
Not directly. The Office of Personnel maintains the right to make
all placements based on a combination of agency needs and the Fellows’
experience, skills, and preferences. Fellows are given the opportunity
to express their preferences for working in particular areas of
the government, and every effort is made to accommodate these preferences
while also meeting agency needs.
What agencies have Fellows?
Current fellowship placements include: the Office of the City Administrator,
the Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, the Office of
Citizen Complaint Review, the Department of Health, the Department
of Human Services, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Office
of Personnel, the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic
Development, the Office of the Chief Financial Officer, the Department
of Motor Vehicles, and the District Department of Transportation.
How is this program unique?
Unlike some fellowship programs in which fellows work in one agency
or department throughout their tenure, Capital City Fellows work
in four different agencies over the course of the two years. As
a result, Fellows have the opportunity to see many facets of the
city government. Also, Fellows do not need to undergo interviews
in addition to the application process in order to secure their
first placement. Instead, the Office of Personnel coordinates the
placements.
Do Fellows receive special training?
Yes. Fellows participate in regular required and optional development
activities. Development activities cover areas such as budgeting,
procurement, and human resources, and expose the Fellows to government
initiatives and processes outside of their placements.
How are Fellows evaluated?
Fellows are subject to performance evaluations at the end of each six-month placement. The evaluations are based on individual performance plans (IPPs) established at the outset of each placement. If the evaluations are unfavorable and indicate that the Fellow is not living up to the expectations of the Fellowship, s/he will be dismissed from the program.
Are Fellows guaranteed a job after completing the two-year fellowship?
No. Assuming that the Fellows complete their two-year commitment, receive favorable performance evaluations, and want to continue working for the city, every effort will be made by DC Office of Personnel staff, agency staff and the Fellows themselves to find appropriate positions at the end of the fellowships. However, there is no guarantee that appropriate jobs will be available.
How much are Fellows paid?
All Fellows earn the same rate of pay, a grade 12, step 1 for the
first year (currently $46,770). The salary is non-negotiable.
Does the city pay for Fellows’ relocation and/or housing expenses?
No. Fellows are responsible for their own relocation and housing expenses.
Is the start date negotiable?
Generally not, as most positions begin on the same day in mid-July. However, on occasion vacancies and new placements become available throughout the year, so it is possible to start later than mid-July. These positions are filled as they arise from the list of candidates who were interviewed in March. Applications are only considered in January.
What benefits are Fellows eligible to receive?
Fellows are considered regular District government employees and as such receive the standard benefits available to all city employees such as health insurance, life insurance, vacation days, leave accrual, etc. See Summary of Benefits for Employees Hired On or After 10/1/87 for more information.
Are Fellows eligible for tuition reimbursement for coursework during the Fellowship?
The District government does not currently have a city-wide program to cover the cost of academic courses for city employees. Individual agencies may use their training budget to cover coursework if they so choose, but they likely give preference to coursework for long-time employees.
If I have worked previously for the District or federal government, am I eligible for greater leave accrual?
Yes. Both prior District and federal government employment count toward the years of service criteria for accelerated leave accrual. Employees who have fewer than 3 years of government service earn 4 hours of annual and 4 hours of sick leave every 2 weeks; 3-15 year employees receive 6 hours of annual and 4 hours of sick leave; and 15+ year employees earn 8 hours of annual and 4 hours of sick leave.
How many Fellows are selected each year?
In July 2002, eight Fellows were selected. The next year, 11 Fellows were selected. The number of fellowships available depends on how many District agencies are able to participate in the program. While there is no set number from year to year, it is estimated that between 5 and 15 fellowships will be available each year.
Did all the Fellows attend schools in the Washington area, or are they from
across the country?
While many of the Fellows attended local universities (American University, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Howard University, and the University of the District of Columbia), we welcome-and encourage-applicants from across the country. Current Fellows hail from schools such as University of Maryland, Texas A&M University, University of Georgia, Cornell University and UCLA. It's important to note that candidates are evaluated in part based on their commitment to the District-and to public service in general-and a connection to the city enhances an application.
Are Fellows required to be US citizens?
No. Non-US Citizens are eligible for the program as long as they can provide the necessary documentation to prove identity and employment eligibility (including Form I-9, which is completed by all new hires).
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