Federal Leadership and Professional Development Virtual Instructor/SME (Part Time)
Is This You?
Graduate School USA is looking for experienced federal leaders and leadership development practitioners to teach the next generation of government supervisors, managers, and executives. That includes current and former supervisors and managers, Senior Executive Service members and SES candidates, human capital and organizational development specialists, executive coaches, training and learning officers, change management leads, and communication or workforce development professionals (typically GS-13/14 and above, or equivalent agency, DoD, or uniformed-service experience).
This isn't a traditional faculty position. We want practitioners first: people who have led federal teams through reorganizations and budget cuts, handled performance and conduct issues, built coalitions across offices and agencies, coached new supervisors through their first year, briefed senior leadership, or designed and run leadership development programs. If you've spent your career leading people, developing leaders, or advising executives, you already have what we need. Formal teaching experience is highly preferred but not required. GSUSA provides instructional onboarding, established curriculum, and course materials.
Company Overview
Graduate School USA (GSUSA) is a distinguished training provider dedicated to delivering workforce development solutions exclusively to the federal government and public service professionals. With a proud legacy dating to 1921 — more than a century of service — GSUSA specializes in high-quality, practical training programs that enhance the skills and effectiveness of government employees through innovative learning experiences. GSUSA has partnered with more than 125 federal agencies and trained over one million federal employees.
Position Overview
GSUSA instructors teach mostly live virtual courses, with occasional in-person sessions, within our Center for Leadership and Management (CLM) and Professional Skills curriculum. Courses are taught to predefined GSUSA learning objectives with established materials. Your job is to bring the content to life with depth, currency, and real federal leadership experience.
Our curriculum supports every career stage, from the Aspiring Leader Program (GS 6 and below) and New Leader Program (GS 7–11) through the Executive Leadership Program and the Executive Potential Program (GS 13–15). It also supports the New, Emerging, and Experienced Leader Certificate Programs, the Women in Leadership courses, the Customer Service and Productivity Certificate Programs, and a growing self-paced catalog.
Curriculum Areas — Deep Expertise Required in One or More
We welcome instructors with deep expertise in one or more of the following tracks:
Cohort Leadership Development Programs: Facilitating competency-based, multi-month cohort programs (ALP, NLP, ELP, EPP) mapped to OPM leadership competencies and the Executive Core Qualifications; developmental assignments, action learning projects, shadowing, and mentoring; and guiding participants through individual development plans and 360 feedback.
Supervision & Managing Others: OPM's Federal Supervisory Training Framework; the transition from peer to leader; the first 90 days as a new federal or state manager; performance management, accountability, and motivation; building effective relationships with employees; leading multigenerational and hybrid teams; and working within merit system principles and civil service rules.
Executive Leadership & Executive Core Qualifications: Leading people, achieving results, driving efficiency, merit and competence, and principled, rule-of-law-centered public service under the ECQs; executive presence and executive survival skills; strategic planning for government organizations; and building coalitions and interagency partnerships.
Leading Change & Organizational Performance: Change management frameworks and resistance; leading through reorganization, uncertainty, and workforce transition; creating a results-driven culture; achieving organization-wide results; and cultivating an engaged workplace.
Financial Acumen & Managing Resources: Budgeting and the federal budget cycle for non-financial leaders; managing money, people, and technology; and translating financial information into sound management decisions (federal and state/local).
Coaching, Mentoring & Emotional Intelligence: Coaching conversations and the GROW model; mentoring skills; emotional intelligence for leaders; resilient leadership and managing stress and burnout; and setting healthy boundaries in mission-driven environments.
Communication, Influence & Negotiation: Leadership communication; storytelling for government leaders; public speaking and presentation skills; influence over authority; principled negotiation; constructive conflict resolution; working with difficult people; and plain language writing for federal communicators.
Critical Thinking, Decision Making & Problem Solving: Critical and analytical thinking; structured decision making; and problem solving under ambiguity and competing priorities.
Professional Effectiveness & Customer Service: Time management and managing multiple priorities; effective meetings and facilitation; administrative officer and executive assistant skills; onboarding and readiness; and customer service excellence for internal and external customers.
Women's Leadership: Leadership styles and strategies for women leaders; negotiation for advocacy; and networking and visibility.
Emerging Practice — AI for Government Leaders: Leading AI-driven workplace change; AI governance and aligning talent with technology; and using AI responsibly as a preparation, drafting, and coaching partner while protecting sensitive information.
Minimum Qualifications — Read Before Applying
A minimum of 7 years of hands-on leadership or leadership development experience — supervising or managing federal employees, serving in a senior or executive role, leading organizational change, or designing, delivering, or coaching within a leadership development, human capital, or training program — gained within a federal agency, the uniformed services, a state or local government, or in direct, sustained support of federal clients.
Leadership experience limited to the private sector with no government component, motivational speaking, or general life or wellness coaching does not substitute for public-sector leadership experience. Candidates without direct experience leading or developing people in a government environment will not be considered for this curriculum.
Demonstrated experience training, facilitating, coaching, briefing, or mentoring professionals — for example, running leadership workshops, coaching supervisors, leading working groups, or conducting staff training.
Bachelor's degree or higher.
Must be available to teach at least five (5) days per month. Classes run Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and teaching assignments are scheduled based on client demand.
Preferred Experience/Certifications
A coaching or training credential, such as ICF (ACC, PCC, or MCC), ATD Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) or certification in an assessment such as MBTI, DiSC, EQ-i 2.0, or a 360 instrument.
Completion of a federal leadership program such as an SES Candidate Development Program, Federal Executive Institute, or GSUSA's Executive Leadership or Executive Potential Program.
Current working knowledge of OPM's Executive Core Qualifications, leadership competencies, and Federal Supervisory Training Framework, along with recent federal workforce policy and practice.
Experience leading or facilitating cohort-based programs with developmental assignments, action learning projects, or mentoring components.
Prior formal instruction experience with adult professional learners, in classroom or live virtual settings (e.g., agency leadership institutes, OPM or agency-sponsored programs, professional association courses, or adjunct teaching).
Experience delivering training via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, including breakout-based, highly interactive sessions.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Deliver engaging, interactive instruction on leadership and professional development topics to adult learners in live virtual and occasional in-person formats, aligned with GSUSA curriculum learning objectives.
Support instruction with provided materials (slides, handouts, activities, assessments) and recommend updates based on changes in federal workforce policy and leadership practice.
Draw on real federal leadership experience to connect course content to learners' day-to-day challenges.
Facilitate group activities, breakout discussions, and case studies, and give meaningful feedback to participants.
Respond promptly and professionally to student questions during and outside of class sessions.
Collaborate with GSUSA curriculum staff to keep course content accurate and current.
Comply with GSUSA policies, procedures, and quality standards, and participate in instructional onboarding and ongoing professional development.
Technology & System Requirements (Virtual Instruction)
Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365; comfort with Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and digital communication tools (training provided on GSUSA-specific platforms).
Windows 10 or macOS 10.9 or later; large or dual monitors; HD webcam; microphone and speakers; reliable broadband internet connection.
Compensation & Total Rewards
GSUSA offers a competitive, market-based total rewards program. Instructor roles fall under two designations based on skills and experience; those selected for an Instructor designation can expect an hourly pay range of $40.00 to $50.00, with individual compensation determined by relevant experience, skills, geographic location, and level of role. This range is subject to change.
All GSUSA employees, including part-time instructors, are eligible to participate in our 401(k) retirement plan, administered through Empower. Employees are automatically enrolled at a 5% pre-tax contribution rate and may change their contribution rate or opt out at any time. Part-time instructors also accrue paid sick leave in accordance with applicable state and local law.
Scheduling is flexible within the five-day monthly minimum — many of our instructors teach alongside full-time federal careers or in retirement.
Equal Opportunity
Graduate School USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status.
Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or interview process may contact lisa.ciferni@graduateschool.edu.
Join us to make a meaningful impact on the federal leadership pipeline while advancing your career in a vibrant, supportive environment. We value innovation, dedication, and a passion for public service!
Benefits
401(k) · Flexible schedule · Paid sick leave
Compensation: $40.00 to $50.00 per hour, depending on experience, skills, and location.