Who can attend?
How do I register?
Who pays?
How long is NPS Fundamentals?
Supervisor: Why should I release my employee for training when there is so much work to be done?
Supervisor: What do I (as a supervisor) need to do to support my employee’s successful completion of NPS Fundamentals?
Are reasonable accomodations available for the classroom sessions?
How do I graduate from NPS Fundamentals?
What are supervisors and participants saying about NPS Fundamentals?
Who can attend?
NPS Fundamentals is appropriate for all permanent, term, and SCEP NPS employees. Employees apply through the DOILearn website (https://doilearn.doi.gov).
Partners to the NPS are welcome to apply for the classroom portions of NPS Fundamentals through the Superintendent, Albright Training Center.
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How do I register?
Employees enroll through DOILearn. Supervisory approval occurs on-line through DOILearn as well.
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Who pays?
Tuition, travel and per diem costs for NPS employees are paid for by Servicewide Learning and Development funds.
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How long is NPS Fundamentals?
NPS Fundamentals is one training course organized into five sections. These sections are ideally taken in order and completed within a one-year period.
NPS Fundamentals I: 3 hours - online
NPS Fundamentals II: 64 hours - classroom
NPS Fundamentals III: 3 hours - online
NPS Fundamentals IV: 3 hours - online
NPS Fundamentals V: 32 hours - classroom
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Supervisor: Why should I release my employee for training when there is so much work to be done?
- The NPS Fundamentals program is critical for every National Park Service employee in the organization to attend.
- NPS Fundamentals helps sustain a high-performing work environment by developing employees who are well versed in the basics of the NPS and in the Universal Competencies.
- Supervisors should see a safer workplace, improvements in employee ethics and conduct, and employees more committed to the NPS Mission. Experienced employees can reconnect to the NPS and increase knowledge and skills.
- As one superintendent stated, "Fundamentals training provides immeasureable value in terms of staff development, which translates ultimately to better public service."
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Supervisor: What do I (as a supervisor) need to do to support my employee’s successful completion of NPS Fundamentals?
Supervisors are the essential link between employees, NPS Fundamentals and enhanced, improved job performance. Supervisors need to do just three things:
1) Help employees sign up and be approved for NPS Fundamentals through DOILearn. (https://doilearn.doi.gov)
2) Manage work schedules to allow employees time to complete the online modules and attend classroom sessions.
3) Support employees as they apply what they have learned to their work.
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Are reasonable accommodations available for the classroom sessions?
Reasonable accommodations are gladly made to ensure a quality learning experience for all students and instructors. There is a process in place to request any special needs once selected for NPS Fundamentals II and V courses prior to arrival.
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How do I graduate from Fundamentals?
Each participant graduates after successfully completing all five NPS Fundamentals courses.
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What are supervisors and participants saying about NPS Fundamentals?
Supervisors:
“Fundamentals training provides immeasurable value in terms of staff development, which translates ultimately to better public service."
“As [a supervisor], I feel that these online training programs are a great idea. It helps a lot to offer them when it is convenient for the employee and within a timeframe that is workable.”
Participants:
“I have to say that Fundamentals was one of the best experiences I've had in evaluating teamwork skills, learning how to work with different personalities and styles in the work environment, and looking inward to see how to be a more effective leader. It was also an amazing opportunity to remind myself of how many different types of people make up the NPS.”
“Again, thanks for your support and for providing me and my colleagues with valuable information and tools we need to get our jobs done. It was an incredible two weeks. [The coordinators] facilitated some friendships that will last a lifetime.”
“I would like to take the time to thank all the coordinators who helped to make my training a pleasurable and remarkable learning opportunity. Indeed, Fundamentals was one of the most valuable training sessions that I’ve taken with the National Park Service. It goes without saying that there was so much dedication and team spirit among the training coordinators. I sincerely felt that some of the training sessions gave participants a chance to re-establish their goals and gain a real “sense of place” within the National Park Service System.”
“The bond that resulted from these sessions will last through our careers and beyond.”
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