Virgin Islands Certified Public Manager Program

The Virgin Islands CPM Program is designed around seven (7) core competency areas which are set by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium, the accrediting body of all CPM programs:

1. Personal and Organizational Integrity

• • Increasing awareness, building skills and modeling behaviors related to identifying potential ethical problems and conflicts of interest; appropriate workplace behavior; and legal and policy compliance. 

2. Managing Work

• • Meeting organizational goals through effective planning, prioritizing, organizing and aligning human, financial, material and information resources. Empowering others by delegating clear job expectations; providing meaningful feedback and coaching; creating a motivational environment and measuring performance. Monitoring workloads and documenting performance. Dealing effectively with performance problems. 

3. Leading People

• • Inspiring others to positive action through a clear vision; promotes a diverse workforce. Encouraging and facilitating cooperation, pride, trust and group identity; fostering commitment and team spirit. Articulating a vision, ideas and facts in a clear and organized way; effectively managing emotions and impulses.

4. Developing Self

• • Demonstrating commitment to continuous learning, self-awareness and individual performance planning through feedback, study and analysis.

5. Systemic Integration

• • Approaching planning, decision-making and implementation from an enterprise perspective; understanding internal and external relationships that impact the organization.

6. Public Service Focus

• • Delivering superior services to the public and internal and external recipients; including customer/client identification, expectations, needs and developing and implementing paradigms, processes and procedures that exude positive spirit and climate; demonstrating agency and personal commitment to quality service.

7. Change Leadership

• • Acting as a change agent; initiating and supporting change within the organization by implementing strategies to help others adapt to changes in the work environment, including personal reactions to change; emphasizing and fostering creativity and innovation; being proactive.

Requirements for Certification

The Virgin Islands CPM Program is a rigorous program of study.  The Program consists of three phases, totaling 300 hours (usually over a 14-month period).  Participants must complete all three phases to be certified:

• PHASE I: SUPERVISION
  Focuses on supervisory training and assessment of managerial skills; it concludes with a written project.

• PHASE II: MANAGEMENT
  Participants must complete various management courses  as well as a take-home review demonstrating what they have learned.

• PHASE III: SENIOR MANAGEMENT
  Brings together training from the previous phases in case studies, a simulation, leadership seminar, and an applied project (Capstone Project).  The applied project is typically a real-world problem faced in the CPM participant’s agency that would benefit from a systematic application of the principles taught in the classroom.

CPM Courses
Individuals selected to participate in the VI CPM Program attend classes for three (3) consecutive days each month:

• 2021-2022 VI CPM Program Schedule (click to view)
• VI CPM Course Descriptions (click to view on UVI's website)

Level of Instruction

CPM instruction is at the college graduate level.  Candidates for the “CPM” designation are required to demonstrate above average skills in many areas including oral and written communication, critical thinking, and strategic thinking.

Faculty
CPM courses are taught by UVI faculty and qualified practitioners in their areas of competence.    

Location
CPM classes are held on St. Thomas and St. Croix at the University of the Virgin Islands.
(For the 2021-2022 Colleague Group, classes will be conducted virtually at the beginning of the Program and may transition to in-person instruction at UVI’s St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses during the course of the Program.)

Why Should You Consider the VI CPM Program for Yourself?

• Enhance your management, administrative, technical, analytical, and communication skills.
• Broaden your intergovernmental network.
• Increase your personal awareness and effectiveness.
• Evaluate and implement innovative solutions.
• Become a leader in promotion of quality in public services.
• Take advantage of competency based learning that you can take back to work with you the next day and apply.
• Participate in a program with the highest standards, with quality control and with a record of continuity.
• Join the territory-wide and national cadres of professional public managers, learning from and with representatives of other agencies.
• Develop valuable skills that can prepare you to move to the next level in your career and increase your visibility in your organization.

Why Should You Consider the VI CPM Program for Your  Employees?

• CPM participants bring their classroom energy and learning back to the office.
• Implement nationally recognized process improvement theory and practice endorsed in industry and government.
• Take this opportunity to focus on a long term agency project.
• Champion a capstone project that improves effectiveness, efficiency or saves money.
• Take advantage of your employees’ improved management skills and delegate new assignments.
• Develop your talented employees and help them take the next step in their careers.
• Use this program as part of a manager and supervisor development and mentoring plan.
• Use in succession planning to fill upcoming vacancies.

PROGRAM FEE

Government & Non-Profit: $3,500

• Local Government: The Program Fee will be covered in full for 2021-2022 VI CPM Colleague Group participants who are employed full-time with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and apply for the current VI CPM Program under their official position with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, on the condition that these participants sign the applicable GVI Continued Service Agreement. For the VI Legislative Branch, this applies only to central staff employees and not to individuals employed with the office of a senator.
• Federal Government, VI Legislative Branch (senate offices), & Non-Profit: For payment arrangements, contact Suzanne Darrow-Magras, PhD – Director of Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI): suzanne.darrowmagras@uvi.edu | 340-693-1101.

Private Sector: $4,200

• For payment arrangements, contact Suzanne Darrow-Magras, PhD – Director of Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL) at the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI): suzanne.darrowmagras@uvi.edu | 340-693-1101.

Contact Our Team for More Information

For application-specific questions, please contact Division of Personnel's CPM team:

• Strategy and Organizational Development Unit
  Email:  training@dop.vi.gov
  Phone:  (340) 774-8588, ext. 5134 or 5129

For Program-specific questions, please contact UVI's CPM team:

• Suzanne Darrow-Magras, PhD
  Director, Center for Excellence in Leadership and Learning (CELL)
  Email:  suzanne.darrowmagras@uvi.edu
  Phone:  (340) 693-1101

Please read the application instructions carefully before applying.  To apply, click on the orange "Apply Here" button at the bottom of this tab.

APPLICANT CRITERIA
To be considered for participation in the 2021-2022 VI CPM Colleague Group, an individual must be employed with a local or federal government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private sector business within the U.S. Virgin Islands. Preference may be given to applicants with supervisory experience.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

STEP 1 of 2: Complete and Submit Your Online Application

Complete and submit your online application by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

Complete all required fields and upload only the indicated required supporting documents to your application.

Supporting Documents:

All required supporting documents must be uploaded to the completed online application at the time of submission. Please do not submit documents separately from your online application.

The documents you are required to provide are based on the type of organization you are employed with and are applying under.  To ensure  processing of your application, be sure to upload the required documents for the type of organization you are employed under (see below):

• U.S. Virgin Islands Government (Executive Branch, Autonomous/Semi-Autonomous Agency, Legislative Branch (central staff only), or Judicial Branch) – 5 required documents:
  1. Current résumé
  2. Letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor
  3. Proposed Individual Applied Project Form (click to access the fillable & savable PDF form)
  4. Approval of Participation Form (click to access the fillable & savable PDF form)
  5. Continued Service Agreement (CSA) Form (May 2021 - May 2024 obligated service period) (click to access the fillable & savable PDF form)

• Federal Government Agency, VI Legislative Branch (senatorial staff), Non-Profit Organization, or Private Sector Company - 3 required documents:
  1. Current résumé
  2. Letter of recommendation from immediate supervisor
  3. Proposed Individual Applied Project Form (click to access the fillable & savable PDF form)

• Self-employed Individual/Small Business Owner – 3 required documents:
  1. Current résumé
  2. Letter of recommendation from a client, business partner, or other individual with direct knowledge of applicant’s work
  3. Proposed Individual Applied Project Form (click to access the fillable & savable PDF form)

Document Descriptions:

1. Current résumé.  Submit a current résumé that includes your professional positions (including the major duties and responsibilities for each), formal education, and other public-sector oriented experiences (e.g., work in non-profits, participation in political or special interest groups, volunteer work, etc.).  Use a format of your choice, but do not exceed three (3) pages. A current résumé is required of all applicants.
2. Letter of recommendation from your immediate supervisor.*  Your immediate supervisor should describe why you are being recommended for the program and give one to two examples of your performance in your current position which indicate your potential for the program.  The letter of recommendation should be addressed to the Virgin Islands Certified Public Manager (CPM) Program.
   *If you are applying as a self-employed individual/business owner, provide a letter of recommendation from a client, business partner, or other individual with direct knowledge of your work.
3. Proposed Individual Applied Project Form.  Use this form to provide information about the Individual Applied Project ("Capstone Project") you plan to work on if you are accepted into the CPM Program. This project is typically a real-world problem faced in the CPM participant’s agency that would benefit from a systematic application of the principles taught in the classroom. The Proposed Individual Applied Project form must be signed by you, your immediate supervisor, and your agency head.
4. Approval of Participation Form.  The Approval of Participation Form is only required from applicants who are employed with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and are applying for the VI CPM Program under their official position with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands.  This Approval form must be signed by both your immediate supervisor and agency head.  If your agency head is your immediate supervisor, they should sign both fields.
5. Continued Service Agreement (CSA) Form (May 2021 - May 2024 obligated service period). This Continued Service Agreement is only required from applicants who are employed with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands and are applying for the VI CPM Program under their official position with the Government of the U.S. Virgin Islands.

All supporting documents that require a signature must contain the respective individuals' legal signature. 

STEP 2 of 2: Submit your application fee.

Submit your non-refundable $60 application fee* to Division of Personnel:

• In order for your application to be forwarded for consideration, your application fee must be received by Division of Personnel
  within two (2) business days after the application deadline.
• Submit the $60.00 fee in the form of a check or money order only.
• Make the check or money order payable to "Division of Personnel" (please print clearly).
• In the memo/for line, clearly print "2021 VI CPM App Fee for [applicant's name]".
• Submit your payment to Division of Personnel's office:
  • St. Thomas: 3438 Kronprindsens Gade | GERS Complex, 3rd Floor | St. Thomas, VI 00802
  • St. Croix: 3009 Orange Grove Shopping Center - Bays #6, 7, 8 | Christiansted |St. Croix, VI 00820

  (If you are delivering your payment, please place the check or money order in a sealed envelope. Clearly print "2021 VI CPM App Fee for [applicant's name]". 
  For St. Thomas deliveries, please place your envelope in the drop-box provided on the first floor of the GERS building.)

*The application fee is separate from the VI CPM's Program Fee. Check the Program Fee tab on this webpage for more information.

PLEASE NOTE: ​​

• It is highly recommended that you request your letter of recommendation and obtain any required approvals early in the application process to help ensure that you are able to meet the application deadline.
• Emailed applications will not be accepted.  Do not send emails with updated or additional application information or documents.
• Submit one application only.
• Do not close your browser immediately after hitting the "Submit Application" button; wait for the "Application Confirmation" message to appear.  If you are directed to a page on your application instead of to the Confirmation message, then a required field is empty and your application is incomplete.
• Once your online application is successfully submitted, a confirmation will be sent to the email address listed under "Email (Office)" on your application.  The confirmation email will include a copy of your submitted application for your reference.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Only complete applications received through the designated online application portal will be reviewed.
• After the final candidates are chosen for the 2021-2022 VI CPM Program, an application status letter will be emailed to each applicant and their immediate supervisors (as well as the respective Agency Heads and HR Directors for USVI Government applicants) informing them if they have or have not been chosen to participate in the Program.

If you have questions about the VI CPM application process,
please contact Division of Personnel’s Strategy and Organizational Development Unit
at training@dop.vi.gov or (340) 774-8588 ext. 5129.