The Senior Executive Service was established by the Civil Service Reform Act and went into effect on July 13, 1979. The SES is comprised of the men and women charged with leading the continuing transformation of our government. This dedicated corps of executives share a commitment to public service and a set of democratic values grounded in the fundamental ideals of the Constitution. As the leaders of our federal civilian workforce, senior executives strive each day to create a more citizen-centered, result-oriented federal government.
The SES is governed by one distinct personnel system in which the same executive qualifications are required for all members. Applicants to SES positions must demonstrate that they possess Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). These ECQs define the competencies needed to build a corporate culture within the Department of Labor that strives for results, serves customers, and builds successful teams and coalitions both within and outside the Department.