---
kind: "section"
citation: "6 C.F.R. § 158.803"
title: "6"
number: "158.803"
heading: "Career development program."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/6/158.803"
---

# §158.803. Career development program.

- (a) **Career development program.** In alignment with the DHS-CS's core values described in [§ 158.305](/cfr/6/158.305.md) and the compensation strategy described in [§ 158.601](/cfr/6/158.601.md), the Secretary or designee establishes and administers a career development program to:
  - (1) Guide the career progression of each DHS-CS employee;
  - (2) Ensure development of the collective expertise of DHS-CS employees through continual learning; and
  - (3) **Ensure continued alignment between the qualifications of DHS-CS employees and CTMS qualifications.**
- (b) **Career progression.** Career progression in the DHS-CS is based on enhancement of CTMS qualifications and salary progression resulting from recognition adjustments under [§ 158.631](/cfr/6/158.631.md). Career progression in the DHS-CS is not based on length of service in the DHS-CS or the Federal Government. The Department guides the career progression of DHS-CS employees using development strategies based on:
  - (1) Information from development reviews, described in [§ 158.806](/cfr/6/158.806.md);
  - (2) Mission-related requirements; and
  - (3) **Strategic talent priorities.**
- (c) **Commitment to continual learning.** The Department establishes, maintains, and communicates criteria for continual learning. Such criteria include recommended and required learning activities, including completion of specific courses of study, completion of mission-related training defined in [5 CFR 410.101](/cfr/5/410.101.md), performance of certain DHS-CS cybersecurity work as part of assignments, and participation in opportunities for professional development and training described in [§ 158.640](/cfr/6/158.640.md). The Department aims to utilize all available opportunities for DHS-CS employee development, including opportunities under this part and under or based on authorities in 5 U.S.C. and [5 CFR](/cfr/5.md) relating to continual learning, professional development, and training, as appropriate.
- (d) **Verification of qualifications enhancements.** The Department verifies DHS-CS employees' enhancement of CTMS qualifications, which may include review by the CTMB or assessment using standardized instruments and procedures designed to measure the extent to which a DHS-CS employee has enhanced the employee's qualifications. Verification of enhancement to CTMS qualifications may require updating the documentation associated with the employee's qualified position, as described in [§ 158.706](/cfr/6/158.706.md).

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 43; 5 CFR parts 410 and 430.

### Authority

Authority: 6 U.S.C. 658. Subpart H also issued under 5 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 43; 5 CFR parts 410 and 430.

### Source

Source: 86 FR 47893, Aug. 26, 2021, unless otherwise noted.