NSWCDD aims
to not only recruit the best and the brightest employees, but to develop and
support them throughout their career life cycles. To accomplish this, Dahlgren
Division is proud to offer a variety of programs and services that ensure the
continued growth of our employees, including developmental assignments,
academic programs, training opportunities, and mentoring support.
Developmental Assignments
New Employee Developmental
Assignments
NSWCDD
offers a unique development opportunity to entry-level (ND-02 and ND-03)
scientists and engineers in the form of New Employee Developmental Assignments
(NEDAs). NEDAs are temporary assignments, typically 4 to 6 months in duration,
to other parts of Dahlgren Division. Through these assignments, new employees
gain a broader perspective of the organization and its mission while enhancing
existing skills, building new technical competencies, and expanding their
professional network with the purpose of sharing and applying new knowledge,
skills, and abilities upon return to their home branch.
At
the NSWCDD Dahlgren site, all entry-level scientists and engineers are required
to complete two NEDAs before they are eligible for promotion to the journey
level.
Temporary
External Assignments
Temporary external assignments are
another developmental opportunity supported by NSWCDD. During these
assignments, employees work offsite with sponsors, customers, and warfighters
to enhance their technical capabilities and gain an in-depth understanding of
how Dahlgren work fits into the larger context of NSWC, NAVSEA, DoN, and DoD
missions. At the end of a temporary external assignment, the employee returns
to NSWCDD to share what they have learned with their home organization.
Academics
At
NSWCDD, academic education is one of our primary means of developing a
workforce ready to take on the challenges of today and tomorrow. As
such, Dahlgren Division is committed to offering academic programs
that provide employees access to quality education in disciplines relevant to
our mission needs. Participating employees work closely with management to develop
and execute an academic plan that aligns their professional goals and the
mission objectives of NSWCDD. Those who are enrolled in an NSWCDD endorsed
academic program of study and complete all necessary registration procedures by
required deadlines are eligible for upfront payment of academic tuition and
associated fees. Employees may also be reimbursed for required academic
textbooks upon submittal of a final course grade that meets NSWCDD academic program
standards.
Training
NSWCDD employees are encouraged to identify training
opportunities that will enhance their skills and increase their knowledge. This
can be accomplished by enrolling in off-site training programs, conferences, or
on-site training. While off-site training is offered outside NSWCDD and is
typically identified by the employee, Dahlgren hosts local classes that cover a
wide range of disciplines including program and project management, acquisition
and logistics, information technology, and a variety of science and engineering
topics.
Mentoring
Employees
are encouraged to develop mentoring relationships throughout their career at
NSWCDD. Through these partnerships, employees develop their knowledge, skills,
abilities, and/or thought process through an exchange of different
perspectives. The NSWCDD Mentoring Program provides employees with resources
and assistance for cultivating mentoring relationships that grow and change
according to your professional objectives.
All
new NSWCDD employees are paired with a trained Peer Mentor, a peer employee who
serves as an additional guide and resource for questions about day-to-day
processes and helps the new employee become acclimated to the organization.
Resources are also provided for those interested in establishing a performance
mentoring partnership focused on increasing technical expertise, and/or
professional mentorships focused on long term growth and career development.