Managing by Network is is an interagency online training, focused on building partnership and community collaboration competencies.
This applied learning program is offered from January to June, and cohosted by the BLM, NPS, USDA FS, USFWS, DOI CADR and USACE CPCX.
- Participants learn how to strengthen formal and informal partnerships, foster community engagement, and build an interagency peer learning network.
- Participants spend 2 hours a week in a live webinar, interspersed with Self-Study weeks. Optional activities include networking, homework, and case studies.
- Participants are encouraged to directly apply course learning on the job.
Peer learning is a cornerstone of this course. Participants are encouraged to take an active role in class discussions and share examples of collaborative practice and partnership programs from their experience.
About the Course
Managing by Network supports practitioners working in cooperative conservation, natural resource stewardship, cultural heritage, recreation access, Tribal consultation and community engagement.
To facilitate peer learning, this course relies on participants who have demonstrated interest and a compelling need for training, and who have position responsibilities that include multi-party collaboration, partnerships, community engagement, and/or Tribal consultation.
Members of federal, state, and local agencies, Tribes or Indigenous communities, nonprofits, individuals and other organizations working in partnership and community collaboration are welcome to apply.
Employees with critical support roles, such as grants and agreements, contracting, public affairs, information collections, and law enforcement are eligible to apply. Contractors for agencies or organizations are also eligible to apply.
See our Managing by Network Alumni list.
The Managing by Network course is a series of 18 live webinars held from January to June. Class sessions are held entirely online on a virtual learning platform; no travel is required. 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.
Regular sessions are interspersed with Self-Study weeks. During this time, participants can enrich and apply their learning through optional activities such as networking sessions, homework, and self-study to make up missed sessions. There is also an optional Orientation / Tech Test.
Optional Orientation: January 15 & 16, 2025
Course Start Date: January 29 & 30, 2025
Course End Date: June 11 & 12, 2025
Managing by Network includes 18 webinar sessions delivered on consecutive weeks. All coursework is completed online, no travel is required.
Each of the 18 sessions is offered four times in a week, as a live two-hour webinar.
To support interaction and peer learning, participants are assigned to one of the four webinar groups (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta) based on their day and time preference. Applicants indicate their first and second choice on their MBN application.
See the Course Schedule for more details.
Because the Academy observes Daylight Saving Time, class times will change accordingly in March.
Participants should plan to attend live webinars to get the most out of this training program.
Voluntary learning and peer networking activities also enhance course learning and support application on the job.
Course requirements:
- Attend 10 or more live webinars to earn a Certificate of Completion, which recognizes 38 training hours. Participants will not receive a certificate by watching recordings 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.
Selection is competitive as seats are limited.
Class size is 120, organized into four webinar groups of ~30 participants.
Applications open in the fall each year. The application packet includes an Application Form, and where required, a Supervisor Approval Form. Be sure to complete both forms as required, and to submit your application prior to the stated deadlines. Note: Supervisor approval is required for all USFWS applicants.
Applicants and their supervisors share information on their partnership responsibilities and experience, as well as particular challenges, opportunities, and training needs related to collaborative conservation.
Tuition and Scholarships
Managing by Network builds capacity for effective communication, transformational partnerships, and sustained collaboration.
This course provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with agency peers, explore best practices, and learn from the collective expertise of our federal community of practice. Read more about course value and benefits.
The $2,100 tuition fee covers all course elements. These include: program orientation, 18 instructor-led webinars, networking sessions, applied exercises, case studies, key resources, course assessments, and training certificate.
The acceptance of a National Scholarship obligates the course participant to fulfill course completion requirements. If a scholarship recipient must withdraw from the course prior to completing certificate requirements, work unit reimbursement of the scholarship may apply.
Applicants from BLM, NPS, and USDA FS will automatically be considered for a scholarship.
BLM: The BLM National Conservation Lands and Community Partnerships Directorate and National Training Center provide a limited number of National Scholarships for participants..
NPS: The NPS Stewardship Institute provides a limited number of National Scholarships for NPS participants.
USDA Forest Service: Based on available funding, the USDA FS National Partnership Office provides a limited number of National Scholarships for participants.
We welcome applications from individuals representing federal, state, and local agencies; nonprofit or educational organizations; Native Nations and Indigenous Communities; agency contractors and others working in partnership and community engagement.
Selection for Open Seats is competitive. Applicants from USACE, USFWS, NOAA, and other agencies and organizations working in partnership with federal cohosting agencies will receive preference in Open Seat selection.
- Open Seat tuition may be paid by the individual’s agency work unit, organization, or by the individual.
- Open Seat applicants must confirm their funding by December 31, 2024.
- Prior to the use of a federal credit card to pay tuition, Federal agencies should complete the SF-182 Training Authorization Form to obligate funding.
- Tuition invoices will be submitted for payment in January 2025, coinciding with the start of the course. If you require a different timeframe, contact us.
The Academy provides online, secure credit card processing of tuition payments. View our Policies.
Contact Anne Desmarais for more information about tuition payment information, including:
- secure credit card payments;
- vendor information needed to complete the SF-182 Training Authorization Form. This form is required by Federal agencies to obligate funding prior to the use of a federal credit card to pay tuition;
- processing validation information required by state and local agencies or organizations, prior to the use of a credit card to pay tuition.
Course FAQs
Is this course right for me?
- Do you spend at least 25% of your time working with partners, permittees, Native Nations and/or community members?
- Does your position description include multi-agency collaboration, partnerships, community collaboration, and/or Tribal consultation?
- Do you work with at least 5 formal or informal partnerships, facilitate partner or public meetings, or interact with advisory committees or community collaboratives?
- Do you serve in a critical support role, such as grants and agreements, public affairs, information collections, or law enforcement associated with partnerships and public engagement?
- Are you willing to dedicate at least 2 hours a week for six months to improving your practice?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, this training is a good fit for your professional development.
What are the rules of engagement for this class?
- Classes start and end on time.
- Mute yourself when not speaking to reduce background noise.
- Video is encouraged during interactions, but not required.
- The chat box is a judgment free zone.
- You can always pass on a question.
- Be respectful and hold confidentiality.
- Eliminate distractions where possible.
- Let facilitators know about your participation needs.
Is there homework?
Self-Study:
Outside of class time, optional learning and development activities provide a pathway to enrich learning and support application.
This work is NOT required and may be completed at any time during the course.
- Pre-webinar assignments provide a context for webinar discussion. Completing these assignments will enrich class discussions and peer-learning.
- Homework exercises are additional opportunities to learn skills, assess gaps, and apply knowledge from the course.
- Networking sessions provide a forum for engaging with peers and instructors outside of class time and exploring topics of interest.
- Watching webinar recordings allows participants to make up missed sessions (for honors credit) or dive deeper into course materials.
Case Study Program:
Participants have the option to present a Case Study in class, sharing aspirations and lessons learned about their work in partnership and community collaboration.
Case Study presentations are voluntary and NOT required for course completion.
- 12 Case Study spots are available each year in May-June during final course sessions. Presentations are 45 mins including Q&A.
- Case Study presenters qualify for an Honors Certificate of Completion.
- Presentations promote peer-learning and networking, and are added to the Resource Library, with more than 200 other presentations.
What if I have a schedule conflict?
Participants should plan to attend live classes to get the most out of this training experience.
- Each of the 18 Managing by Network sessions is offered as a live, 2-hour webinar, at four different times. We anticipate schedule conflicts and participants may use the “flex option” to attend any one of the four webinars in any given week, as best suits their schedule.
- In the event a participant misses class, they may watch a session recording. Make-up work for missed sessions may be submitted for credit towards an Honors Certificate of Completion.
- The review of live webinar recordings is exclusive to Managing by Network registered course participants, instructional team members, and Federal Coordinators. Passwords for these webinars may not be shared.
Will I receive a certificate for this training?
- 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 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 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 will not receive a Certificate of Completion by watching recordings 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.
Is supervisor approval required to attend this course?
Yes, as applicable. If you are required to seek supervisory approval for training, please request completion of the Supervisor Approval Form as part of your application process. The form can be found here. Note: Supervisor approval is required for all USFWS applicants.
The Supervisor Approval Form provides us with:
- Written confirmation of approval from your Supervisor.
- Supervisor input on your training needs. Their responses, in addition to your own, inform our selection process and decisions on curriculum content for the year.
- Contact information for course follow-up with your supervisor.
- Assurance that your supervisor is aware of your time commitment throughout this 6-month course.
In completing the form, supervisors will approve or decline an applicant’s participation.
Applications are considered incomplete without supervisory approval when required; this will affect your eligibility for the course.
May I receive undergraduate or continuing education credits?
Participants may receive 3 Continuing Education Units for Managing by Network. A learner may use their record of learning to support their earning CEUs (1 CEU per 10 hours of instruction).
Participants may receive 2 undergraduate college credits for Managing by Network, based on a rate of 15 instructional hours per credit. Undergraduate credits are certified by Shepherd University, WV.
The USFWS National Conservation Training Center manages requests for any individual who wishes to receive these credits. Requests may be made up to 2 years from the completion of the course.
Who do I contact with questions?
For general questions, email us at info@partnership-academy.net.
For questions about course requirements, curriculum, instruction, scholarships or tuition payment: contact Anne Desmarais, Anne@partnership-academy.net.
For questions about applications, registration, or attendance: contact Jane Hanson, Jane@partnership-academy.net.
Managing by Network is cohosted by:
