§ 2736c. Professional development opportunities and tools

• (a)
  • (1) The Secretary is authorized to expand professional development opportunities that support the mission needs of the Department, such as—
    • (A) academic programs;
    • (B) private-public exchanges; and
    • (C) detail assignments to relevant positions in—
      • (i) private or international organizations;
      • (ii) State, local, and Tribal governments;
      • (iii) other branches of the Federal Government; or
      • (iv) professional schools of international affairs.
  • (2)
    • (A) The Secretary shall offer, or sponsor members of the workforce to participate in, a Senior Executive Service candidate development program or other program that trains members on the skills required for appointment to senior positions in the Department.
    • (B) In determining which members of the workforce are granted professional development or career advancement opportunities under subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall—
      • (i) ensure any program offered or sponsored by the Department under such subparagraph comports with the requirements of subpart C of part 412 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, including merit staffing and assessment requirements;
      • (ii) consider the number of expected vacancies in senior positions as a factor in determining the number of candidates to select for such programs;
      • (iii) understand how participation in any program offered or sponsored by the Department under such subparagraph differs by gender, race, national origin, disability status, or other demographic categories; and
      • (iv) actively encourage participation from a range of demographic categories, especially from categories with consistently low participation.