Civilian professional development opportunities available Published March 30, 2011 By Tech. Sgt. Scott Pryor 911 AW.PA PITTSBURGH IAP ARS -- The good news is that there are numerous professional development opportunities available to Air Force civilian employees. The bad news is that many of these opportunities are missed. Some people might believe that these opportunities are only for senior civilians or they would be forced to relocate. Both ideas are wrong. "Civilian employees can broaden their horizons and give themselves more opportunities in the Pittsburgh area by taking advantage of the professional development the Air Force offers," said Lee Hutchinson, 911th Airlift Wing civilian personnel officer. The three civilian developmental education levels include: tactical, operational and strategic. Tactical level programs are primarily for new civilian employees. One example is the Civilian Acculturation and Leadership Training program has 280 positions available annually. Operational level programs are designed to grow future civilian leaders. Programs include Education with Industry, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College Distance Learning Master's Program and Intermediate Developmental Education Programs. SOS has 100 openings and ACSC DL had 180 slots available yearly. Strategic level options are available for GS-14 and 15 employees, or their equivalent. Options include Air War College and the Executive Development Seminar. These programs are designed to prepare high-potential employees for increased responsibility and shared leadership. For more information on Civilian Development Education programs, contact the Air Force Personnel Center Force Development web page at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. Type "civilian force development" in the search field and then select eh green updated civilian force development homepage link. Applications are due to AFPC/DPIFDA by May 1.