ICMA LGMF Dec 9

WHAT IS THE LGMF?

This highly competitive career-development opportunity is designed to generate interest in local government careers among recent master's program graduates.  Selected Fellows are placed in a full-time management-track local government positions, shaped by direct mentorship under senior government leaders and rotational assignments. 

• Fellows develop real-world management skills while participating in meaningful and important local government projects.
• Fellows receive direct mentorship from senior local government managers.
• Since the program launch in 2004, eight alumni Fellows have been hired as city managers; many others are in senior positions in local government.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Recent graduates and students enrolled in public administration, public policy, or related master's degree programs graduating in this academic year are eligible to apply to this fellowship program. This is an annual fellowship program with a fall application process for spring/summer placement.

THE APPLICATION

The application has two parts: online, and supplemental materials. 

Online:

1. Step 1: Job Application (using a governmentjobs.com account), including demographic information, education, work experience, resume, professional references.
2. Step 2: Agency Wide Questions (for any job application through governmentjobs.com)
3. Step 3: Supplemental Questions (specific to the LGMF)
4. Included in Step 3 is the personal statement and management case study (submitted within the online application).The case study question is available in the application. Do not 'make up' your own case study.
5. Step 4-5, Confirm Application and Certify and Submit

Supplemental:

1. Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts
2. Three (3) letters of recommendation: two (2) from professors/program directors, and one professional recommendation; sealed and signed across the envelope seal by the recommendation writer.

NOTE: Send supplemtal materials (all the letters and transcripts) in ONE (1) packet to ICMA postmarked by the Dec 9, 2013.

Your packet containing official transcripts and letters of recommendation should be mailed to:

ICMA
777 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 500
ATTN: LGMF PROGRAM
Washington, D.C. 20002-4201

The application is Web-based. As such, it is strongly recommended that you prepare your essay and case study in a desktop application and save your work frequently. When you have completed your essay questions, copy/paste them into the application tool as unformatted text. Keep your formatting simple, as it will not carry over to this application or may add strange characters. 

APPLICATION ATTACHMENTS

Case Study: You may attach one (1) page with graphs, tables or charts to accompany your case study if you wish; reference this and clearly identify your document and be sure your name is also on the attachment.  

Application: You may attach a resume, and will have the option in the first part of the application. Any other attachments included that are not part of the officially requested materials will not be included in your final application package (such as copies of certificates or honors).

SELECTION PROCESS

The LGMF Advisory Board will review all applications submitted by the deadline. ICMA will notify all applicants if they have been selected as a finalist once the Advisory Board submits results. Applications will be scored on resume/applicant experience, letters of recommendation, transcripts, personal statement, and management case study. 

Seventy percent (70%) of the total score is based on the personal essay and case study; basically your passion and demonstrated knowledge. 

Finalists' applications will be routed directly to host local governments for review. Local governments will contact finalists directly to schedule interviews. If you are contacted by a local government, it is strongly recommended that you prepare for the interview as you would for any other employment opportunity.

This page last updated September 10, 2013.