First Time Supervisor Program
Applicant FAQ
What is the Professional Development Institute?
The Professional Development Institute is a center dedicated to providing tailored development programs to foster career growth for targeted employee groups and
to support Duke's staffing needs. Professional development specialists, working with recruiters in Human Resources, will train, develop and help staff who aspire to be
promoted or to transfer to new opportunities.
The goals of the Professional Development Institute include improving retention and strengthening workforce commitment, developing the skills and capabilities of staff,
and supporting Duke's commitment to diversity.
Why is emphasis being placed on supervisor positions for the second program of the Professional Development Institute?
Good supervisors play a critical role in helping Duke develop a positive work environment dedicated to excellence in education, research and patient care. Supervisors
are the front line for any organization, so developing strong, supportive supervisors is typically the best way to improve individual and operational performance, staff
retention, and the overall work environment. New supervisors are often hired or promoted into positions with management responsibility without any support or training
regarding how to deal with the challenge of people management, financial management and budgeting, or project management.
In addition, there is an identified staffing need for quality supervisors at Duke, and during the next several years there will be a greater need for experienced supervisors
and managers as more staff begin to retire. At the present time, there are more than 100 vacancies for supervisory positions listed at Duke. The First Time Supervisor
Program provides managers with an opportunity to recognize and support outstanding individual performers who are ready to assume supervisory responsibilities. The
program will provide participants with the necessary competencies to transition successfully within Duke into supervisor positions.
What will be included in the training?
Throughout the 10 month program, participants will participate in classes, coaching, stretch assignments within your department, and team activities that will provide
training in a variety of areas including people management, financial management and budgeting, and project management.
Individual coaching sessions will be scheduled before classes and throughout the program to design a customized developmental plan. Participants will take courses as
a group that meet the core objectives of the program and, as individuals, may have opportunities to attend classes offered by Learning & Organization Development that
meet the needs of their individual development plan. Individual stretch/project assignments will provide opportunities for participants to apply the knowledge and skills
learned through coursework in the work environment. All participants are also required to complete Guide to Managing at Duke, a three-day management training program.
How are mentors selected?
Staff members from your particular department or area are recommended by your manager to participate as a mentor for you. In addition, your managers will be asked
to identify potential mentors to assist you through the program.
Who will teach the classes?
Duke and Durham Technical Community College instructors will teach classes.
How long will it take to complete the program? How much time will participants be away from their current jobs?
The program will take 10 months to complete. This will include a minimum of two to three days per month of classroom training in which participants will need to be
released from their regular work schedule. Additional training time may be scheduled during regular work hours for coaching and mentoring sessions, additional individualized
classes, and on-the-job stretch assignments.
Will participants be paid for hours spent in training?
Participation in the program will be considered as part of normal work hours for the staff member.
What are the selection criteria for program participants?
The First Time Supervisor Program will include a diverse class of up to 20 participants. The following are the minimum requirements to be considered for the program:
- Recommendation and full endorsement from current manager (i.e. manager nomination for program)
- Full-time Duke employee with minimum of three years of continuous service
- Performance, as defined by the department, which "meets standards" for the previous two years of continuous service. Applicants with "exceeds standards" will be given priority consideration.
- Minimum of a high school diploma is required depending on the supervisory/managerial position the individual is working toward (some positions will require an associate's, bachelor's or advanced degree).
- Consistent demonstration of expertise in field appropriate to applicant's area of responsibilities.
- Acceptance of a retention agreement for two years following completion of program.
Will graduates be guaranteed a promotion or new job once they complete the program?
Although graduates are not guaranteed a promotion or new job upon completion of the program, the program will provide participants with the necessary skills and
competencies to quality for supervisor positions at Duke. Recruiters will be available to work with graduates. Departments are encouraged to identify opportunities for
graduates in order to fully benefit from the program.
Will participants have to pay back any of the financial support provided to employees by Duke?
In return for the financial assistance provided for training, participants must agree to work at Duke for 24 months after completion of the program. If participants
drop out of the program or leave Duke prior to fulfilling their 24 month commitment, they will be required to repay a portion of the educational costs for instruction, books and supplies.
For more information, please visit our web site
www.hr.duke.edu/pdi, call 684-5406, or email
pdi@mc.duke.edu.
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