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Salary: $0.00 Annually
Location : Local Government Management Fellowship Program (Nationwide), DC
Job Type: Fellowship
Job Number: Fellowship Application
Department: Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship
Opening Date: 01/07/2026
Overview
The Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship (VLGMF) is sponsored by local community governments throughout the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Regions that typically employ the Council-Manager form of government. Council-Manager forms of government are managed by a professional executive appointed by and responsible directly to local government elected council members and board members. A local government manager typically oversees a large cross-functional staff and departmental employees that include Administrative Services, Public Works, Civil Engineering, Community Services, Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services, Municipal Court, City Clerk, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, and Utilities.
Each local government administers a multi-million dollar budget that is made up of a general fund that supports the non-utility aspects of the organization and typically one or more enterprise funds. An enterprise fund provides funding for utilities and other services that are funded by fee-for-service activities.
Examples of Duties
The fellowship program is a 16-week approved SkillBridge program, designed to provide a comprehensive experience for service members who are transitioning out of military service and who have an interest in local government. The goal of the program is to provide a hands-on experience for the fellow, preparing him or her with skills to succeed in local government.
The Fellow is mentored directly by either the Local Government Manager, Department Director, or Senior Manager while conducting highly responsible work for various departments of the organization. This position will offer exposure to government departments such as public safety, economic development, financial management, public works, and community development. Each Fellow's experience will be tailored to him or her, depending on the needs of the organization and the career goals of the Fellow. For example, if a Fellow has a specific area of interest, such as procurement, they can request to work with the Finance Department for the entire Fellowship. Every fellow has a vastly different background but below is guideline of what they will experience:

1. Each fellow is assigned a mentor who will, for the duration of the fellowship, be the Fellow's primary point of contact and coach while the Fellow is in the program; the mentor may not necessarily be the Fellow's direct day-to-day supervisor.
2. The fellow has routine feedback sessions with the mentor to provide the Fellow with a chance to ask questions, review resumes, and seek career advice.
3. Attends meetings in order to observe the interaction between local government staff and the elected body.
4. The fellow develops and gives presentations to a variety of offices.
5. Exposure to a variety of administrative processes, including but not limited to budget, contracts, and human resources.
6. Structured professional development through educational courses and training as available.
7. The fellow has the opportunity to attend community events, especially those that are Veteran centric.

Eligibility
Service members should possess the following qualifications:
Candidate must meet one of the following criteria:

1. Be on active duty and within 180 days of transition (separation or retirement) from military service.
2. Be an Active Duty Spouse
3. Have service in the Armed Forces (to include National Guard and Reserves)

Have a bachelor's degree with 3+ years of leadership experience (or equivalent related experience) or an associate's degree with 5+ years of leadership experience (or equivalent related experience) with the intent to complete their bachelor's degree in the next 2-3 years. We will make exceptions to this requirement for candidates who are very interested in a position that does not require higher education.
Have a strong interest in serving in local government management
Possesses one or more of the following areas of experience that are relevant to local government management: international local government experience, public affairs, information operations and public relations, engineering, public works, utilities, fleet and facilities maintenance, human resources, public policy analysis, law enforcement, information technology, fire or EMS services, public finance, strategic management, parks and recreation, project or program management, economic development, and business or public administration.
Fellows are ideally on active duty, or transition leave for the duration of the program. Fellows must be eligible to work full time following the end of the program.
Supplemental Information
1. The Fellow is given a two-year membership with the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
2. The Fellow should complete the ICMA Local Government 201 Certificate. The Fellow's mentor will allow for 2-3 hours per week to complete the certificate during the fellowship.
3. Feedback sessions will be scheduled with the City Manager, Department Director, or Senior Manager to ask questions, review resumes, and seek career advice.
4. The local government provides educational and professional development opportunities (as available) that will be designed from programs offered by the local government or other organizations within the region, based on the Fellow's needs and professional development goals.
5. Fellows have access to the ICMA Coaching Program which provides coaching, career advice, and resources to Fellows interested in local government careers and provides access to their nationwide database of local government managers. This program allows fellows to identify local government managers who have prior military service and who can provide a personal and professional perspective on transitioning from military service to local government management.
6. Fellows have access to ICMA State Affiliate Senior Advisers (long-serving and experienced city managers) who can provide Fellows with the opportunity to review resumes and provide one-on-one feedback throughout the Fellow's membership.
7. Fellows receive free registration to one ICMA Annual Conference.
8. Fellows receive free registration to one Local Government Reimagined Conference.
9. Fellows receive a complimentary subscription to PM Magazine
10. Fellows receive complimentary access to ICMAs Knowledge Assessment
Fellowship benefits are NA; covered by current active duty benefits.
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Thank you for your interest in the Veterans Local Government Management Fellowship. Please complete this application and attach the required documents listed in Section 6. This form is designed to be shorter and easier to complete while still giving us the information we need to match you with a host community. Section 1: Applicant Information Full Name: Preferred Name (if different): Email Address: Mobile Phone: Current Mailing Address: City / State / ZIP: City: State:ZIP:Preferred Pronouns (optional): How did you hear about this fellowship?:
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Section 2: Military Service & SkillBridge Eligibility Branch of Service: Current Rank/Grade: MOS/Rating/AFSC (or equivalent): Current Duty Station: Total Years of Service: Are you currently on active duty and within 180 days of separation or retirement, and eligible for DoD SkillBridge? Yes No Projected separation/retirement date: Earliest date you can begin a fellowship: What is the status of your commander's written approval for SkillBridge participation? Already approved in writing Verbal support; written memo in progress Have not yet discussed with my chain of command If not fully approved, briefly explain your plan and timeline (1-3 sentences):
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Section 3: Education, Certifications and Professional Background Highest level of education completed (check one): Some college Associate's Bachelor's Master's Doctorate Major/Field of Study: Institution(s): Professional Certifications: Please attach a current resume that summarizes your military and civilian experience instead of completing a detailed work history in this form.
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Section 4: Core Local Government Competencies (Narrative - No Matrix) Length guidance for sufficient information: This section should reflect the amount of experience you have in these areas. Provide detail on any experience you have in the following areas. Local government occupational areas typically include executive administration; clerk and elections services; finance and accounting; tax administration; procurement and contracts; human resources and labor relations; legal and risk management; communications and public information; information technology and cybersecurity (including GIS and data analytics); planning and zoning; community and economic development; building and permitting; code enforcement; public works and engineering; capital planning and project delivery; utilities and environmental services (water, wastewater, stormwater, solid waste and recycling, sustainability and natural resources); fleet and facilities management; public safety (police, dispatch, fire and EMS); emergency management and resilience; public health and human services where locally provided; housing and homelessness programs where applicable; parks and recreation; libraries and cultural services; and other locally administered services such as animal control, cemeteries, and transportation or harbor operations depending on the community. Response (describe your experience in the areas most relevant to you):
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Section 5: Supplemental Questions Please respond briefly and clearly. Suggested length for short essays is 150-200 words unless otherwise noted. To provide sufficient information to an interview panel, include: your role, scope (people/$/time), stakeholders, and outcomes where possible. 1. Motivation for Local Government Why do you want to transition into local government/municipal management and how does this fellowship fit into your long-term career goals? Length guidance: ~150-200 words (enough detail for the panel to understand your motivation and long-term direction). Response: 2. Post-Fellowship Employment Goal, Compensation & Job Search Primary goal: To receive an employment offer at the conclusion of the fellowship. Minimum compensation requirement (in your preferred geographic region): Which role(s) are you realistically targeting within 6-12 months after the fellowship? (Select all that apply.) Assistant/Deputy City/County Manager Department/Division Manager (e.g., HR, Public Works, Finance, Emergency Management) Analyst/Coordinator (budget, policy, projects, or programs) Not sure yet Job search resource: govjobs.com (GovernmentJobs.com) Briefly describe your ideal first role in local government: Length guidance: ~100-150 words (be specific about function/level and what success looks like). 3. Preferred Location & 45-Mile Commute Cities (by Base) Select any base/metro region you would consider. For each one you check, list 3 cities you would prefer to work in that are within a 45-minute maximum commute to the base. (If you are unsure, list your best estimate.) Norfolk-Virginia Beach, VA - Naval Station Norfolk / Joint Base Langley-Eustis 3 preferred cities within 45-mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): San Antonio, TX - Joint Base San Antonio 3 preferred cities within 45-mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Fayetteville, NC - Fort Bragg 3 preferred cities within 45-miles commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Wright-Patterson/Dayton, OH3 preferred cities within 45-mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Tacoma-Olympia, WA - Joint Base Lewis-McChord 3 preferred cities within 45-mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Fort Campbell/Clarksville-Nashville, KY/TN3 preferred cities within 45-mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): San Diego Naval Region, CA3 preferred cities within 45 mile commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Clarksville, TN - Fort Campbell 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Colorado base options (check any you would consider): Colorado Springs, CO - Fort Carson 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Colorado Springs, CO - Peterson Space Force Base 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Colorado Springs, CO - Schriever Space Force Base 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Aurora/Denver, CO - Buckley Space Force Base 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): Colorado Springs, CO - U.S. Air Force Academy 3 preferred cities within 45-minute commute to the base: Notes / constraints (optional): If you have another preferred location, please list it below: Are you willing to relocate for the fellowship? Yes No If no, briefly explain your constraints: 4. Availability & Competing Commitments During the fellowship period, do you have any other commitments that could interfere (other SkillBridge programs, full-time job search, education, etc.)? No, I can fully commit to the fellowship schedule Yes (briefly explain below): Length guidance: 2-5 sentences; include dates and weekly time constraints if applicable. 5. Transition Readiness & Support How prepared are you, practically and financially, to complete a 3-4 month fellowship prior to entering civilian employment? Fully prepared; I have a clear transition plan and support Somewhat prepared; I'm still working through a few pieces Not well prepared; I anticipate significant challenges If "somewhat" or "not well prepared," what support would you need to be successful? Also provide your minimum compensation requirement if hired in the geographic region of your fellowship. Length guidance: ~150-200 words; be concrete and specific. 6. Leadership & Teamwork Briefly describe your leadership style and how you work with civilians, senior leaders, and peers in high-pressure or ambiguous situations. Length guidance: ~150-200 words; include one short example if possible. Response: 7. Personnel & Budg