Managing by Network

Learn More About Managing by Network

• Course Learning Objectives

  Applying knowledge and skills learned in this course, participants will be able to:

  1. Strengthen an internal and external network of individuals and organizations to advance the mission of the agency,
  2. Build trust with partners, interested parties, and the public using a professional skill set of 22 competencies,
  3. Demonstrate professional competence in applying best practices for partnership, community collaboration, and Tribal consultation,
  4. Apply social science concepts and practices to support relevance and resilience in partnering and collaboration,
  5. Recognize the relationship between sunshine laws including the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Federal Advisory Committee Act to build accountability and trust between public agencies or organizations and their partners, interested parties, and the public. 

• Course Format

  Managing by Network is a live, six-month, 18-webinar course held virtually from January to June.  The course focuses on 22 competencies related to partnership and community collaboration.

  • Start Date: January 17 & 18, 2024
  • End Date: June 5 & 6, 2024

  Our teaching style encourages participants to take an active role in webinar discussions. Participants build skills and knowledge that can be applied immediately to their current position responsibilities. Participants will spend 2 hours a week in a live webinar, interspersed with 5 Self-Study weeks with optional learning activities. While taking this class, participants are also expected to apply skills learned in class to their job responsibilities on a regular basis.

  Managing by Network is designed for federal managers, specialists, coordinators, and front-line supervisors. To facilitate peer learning, this course relies on participants who have demonstrated interest and a compelling need for training and work in positions with responsibilities that include multi-agency collaboration, partnerships, community collaboration, and/or Tribal consultation.

  Each session includes:

  • 2 hours of live instruction, facilitated discussion, and interactive exercises. Some sessions also include guest speakers and case study presentations.
  • Optional  homework to complete before and after webinars. Assignments include videos, reading, and worksheets varying from 10-30 minutes. 
  • Access to course materials, resources and links.

• Participation Requirements

  Course requirements:

  • Attend 10 or more live webinars to earn a Certificate of Completion. Participants will not receive a certificate by completing self-study in place of attending 10 or more live webinars.
  • Complete an individual Training Needs Self-Assessment and Course Evaluation; each survey takes about 20-30 minutes. Self-Assessment results serve as a benchmark for course participants and enable us to tailor the course to meet the training needs of the incoming class.

  Voluntary learning and development activities:

  Self-Study provides one pathway to enrich learning and support application. This work is NOT required and may be completed at any time during the course. Activities include:

  • Optional Homework that may be completed before or after class.  
  • Optional networking sessions with peers during non-instructional weeks.

  Case Study Program:

  • Participants have the option to present a peer-to-peer Case Study in class. Case study presenters share their aspirations and lessons learned about their work in partnerships and community collaboration. 12 case study spots are available each year. 
  • Case Study presentations are voluntary and not required for course completion. Case Study presenters qualify for an Honors Certificate of Completion.
  • Presentations promote peer-learning and networking, and are posted to the Academy's case study catalog of more than 200 presentations.

   

• Course Completion and Certificates

  • Participants who attend 10 or more live Managing by Network webinars are awarded a Certificate of Completion as an official record of 38 hours of training in 22 partnership and community collaboration competencies defined by OPM.
  • Participants who present a Case Study are awarded an Honors Certificate of Completion.
  • Participants who attend 15 or more live webinars are awarded an Honors Certificate of Completion. Participants may earn an Honors Certificate by submitting make-up work for missed sessions, after the minimum attendance requirement is met.
  • Participants who earn a certificate for Managing by Network may receive 3 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) or 2 undergraduate college credits for this course. Credits are certified by Shepherd University, WV in partnership with the USFWS National Conservation Training Center. 
  • Participants will not receive a certificate by completing self-study in place of attending 10 live webinars.
  • Agencies may have their own policies and procedures regarding attendance. Please review your attendance obligations with your assigned Managing by Network Federal Coordinator. Note: The acceptance of a scholarship obligates the recipient to fulfill the course requirements, on behalf of their work unit. In the event that a scholarship recipient needs to withdraw from the course, prior to completing certificate requirements, work unit reimbursement of the scholarship may apply, per agency policy.

• Tuition

  Tuition for 2024 is $2,100. Scholarships are available for some agencies. Learn more about tuition.

  Contact us for more information.