Professional Development: SES Panel Well Received

DOJ-AHEAD and the Department of Justice’s JMD EEO Staff hosted a panel on preparing for Senior Executive Service ("SES") on July 18, 2017.  Guided by moderator Carmen M. Banerjee, Chair of DOJ-AHEAD, the panelists provided attendees with expert advice on preparing for a crafting a successful SES application.  The discussion ranged from recognizing opportunities for the necessary professional/leadership development to surviving all levels of review in the application process.  

A special thanks to our panelists, Bob Bruffy, Executive Officer, Tax Division; Jamila Frone, Director, Office of Attorney Recruitment & Management; and Richard Toscano, Director, EEOS.  

Click here for the handout that includes panelist backgrounds and a short resource list.

Click here for the PowerPoint slides used by the panel.

Visit by Youth Law Camp Students a Success!

On Thursday July 20, 2017, DOJ-AHEAD hosted the Hispanic National Bar Association Foundation Youth Law Camp participants for a tour of the Robert F. Kennedy Main Justice Building and panel of DOJ-AHEAD attorneys in the DOJ Great Hall.  The panelists were Cathy Meza of the Civil Rights Division, Marina Torres of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, and Jorge Gonzalez of the National Security Division, moderated by Ben Hernandez-Stern of the Office of Justice Programs.  All three panelists shared with the law fellows their journey to the Department of Justice and answered questions.

¡Que se repite!

DOJ-AHEAD Hosts Students

Organizational Outreach and Mentoring:  Historically, DOJ-AHEAD had been involved in helping to develop Latino high school and college students.  To this end, on July 20, 2017, DOJ-AHEAD is hosting of a two-hour two part program (a tour of DOJ and a short panel presentation) to Latino high school students and law school students, who are their camp counselors.  Ben Hernandez-Stern, Executive Council Member of DOJ-AHEAD, is spearheading this pivotal educational program.  DOJ’s program is just one component of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation’s “Future Latino Leaders Law Camp,” which is a nine day program for Hispanic high school students who aspire to attend law school.  

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Professional Development: “Preparing for the Senior Executive Service”

Professional Development:  DOJ-AHEAD and the Department of Justice’s Equal Employment Opportunity Staff will host  a panel session called “Preparing for the Senior Executive Service.”

            When:  July 18, 2017, 12:00pm-1:00pm
            Where: DOJ Conference Center (Room 7411), RFK Main Justice Building.

Carmen M. Banerjee, Chair of DOJ-AHEAD, will moderate a discussion in which Bob Bruffy, Executive Officer, Tax Division; Jamila Frone, Director, Office of Attorney Recruitment & Management; and Richard Toscano, Director, EEOS, Justice Management Division will share their insights on developing leadership competencies necessary to succeed as a Senior Executive, offer helpful hints on how to prepare an effective SES application, and impart their lessons learned from serving as Senior Executives.  All Department employees of the Department are welcome and managers and supervisors are encouraged to grant employees reasonable official time to attend this event.

Professional Development: Our Mentorship Program 2017 Is Well Under Way!

The six-month mentoring program of DOJ’s Association of Hispanic Employees Advancement and Development (DOJ AHEAD) has begun!  The program runs from April 2017 through October 2017.

The Mentorship Program seeks to:

• Increase mentors’ and mentees’ knowledge of the Department’s operations.
• Develop mentees and advance mentors professionally and personally.
• Encourage employees throughout the country (not just the D.C. metropolitan area) to participate in this program.   
• Enhance the diversity experience of the program’s participants.  

DOJ AHEAD’s mentoring program allows caring, experienced federal employees to support primarily Hispanic employees and their professional development, broaden their professional networks, provide them with a greater understanding of the Department, its components, and the federal government. One of the guiding principles of the mentoring program is to inspire public service in the federal government, and to contribute to the positive morale and development of federal workers, especially Hispanic ones.

The first DOJ AHEAD Mentoring Program was launched in 2012.  This is now the 7th iteration of the program!  DOJ AHEAD’s Board champions the program by communicating the purpose and need for the mentoring program to senior leaders and stakeholders at the Department.  DOJ AHEAD’s mentoring program’s policies, rules, and plan of action are routinely reviewed and modified as appropriate by the current DOJ AHEAD board.

DOJ AHEAD’s mentoring program is an equal opportunity program and is run by volunteers.

Raison D'être for DOJ AHEAD

The primary goals of DOJ-AHEAD are:

1. To assist the Department of Justice in promoting equitable participation and full utilization of its Hispanic employees.
2. To assist the Department in increasing the numbers of qualified Hispanics in its workforce.
3. To speak on issues affecting DOJ-AHEAD members and Hispanic employees.
4. To develop and maintain meaningful relationships with DOJ management, Hispanic employees and the greater Hispanic community.