Leadership Academy Application

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CONSERVATION LAW ENFORCEMENT CHIEFS

Leadership Academy Application
Application Guidelines

Please visit https://naclec.org/leadershipacademy for more detailed information regarding the academy.

To participate in this leadership training program, you must:
- Be a mid-career officer in management in your agency, preferably at least five years remaining in your career
- Be employed by a local, state, tribal or federal conservation law enforcement agency
- Have the endorsement of your agency’s Law Enforcement Chief Executive
Participants commit to:
- Beginning online learning activities 5 weeks prior to the residency beginning at the National Conservation Training Center. Online participation is a critical element in everyone’s academy learning experience. It provides a foundation for the academy experience. Completing online work will require an investment of 3 to 4 hours per week in the 5 weeks prior to arriving at the academy.
- Attending all in-person class sessions as scheduled.
- As part of your academy experience, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in two, one-hour individual coaching sessions.
The 2026 in-person session runs from March 1, 2026 – March 14, 2026 (includes travel days) at at the National Conservation Training Center in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Applications are due by 16:00 CST November 21, 2025. Applications are not considered complete unless all required elements of this form are submitted prior to the due date.

Selected applicants will be notified no later than January 6, 2026. An invoice will be provided with the notification. Tuition payments for accepted applicants are due by February 20, 2026.

Should you require technical assistance with this form, please email Kim Elms kim@naclec.org or call her on 623-693-5343

Should you have questions regarding the academy structure or content, please contact:

Randy Stark, NACLEC Executive Director rstark@naclec.org 608.332.0176
Chief or Executive Endorsement
Please ensure that you have the support of your Chief or Executive Officer. An Authorized Official signature is not required. Your submission of this application, confirms your Administrator has approved your application for review and that they understand the financial obligations the agency will incur should you fail to complete the course.

Please provide the name and contact information of your administrator:
Administrator*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email Address*
example@example.com
Phone*
Please provide a phone number for the Official listed above
Applicant Information
Officer's Name*

First NameLast Name
Rank*
Officer's Email*
example@example.com
Officer's Cell Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Officer's Work Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Agency or Work Mailing Address*

Agency Name

Street Address Line 1

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
How many years have you been with this agency?*
Total years of service
How many years have you served in a leadership or supervisory role?*
Years in management
How many staff do you supervise?*
in your direct supervision
Participants are provided a tactical polo shirt. Please check your shirt size from the selections below:*
Shirts tend to run large; consider ordering a size smaller than normal.
Emergency Contact Information

To be used only in case of emergency during the Academy.
Emergency Contact Name*

First NameLast Name
Emergency Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Relationship to the Applicant/Participant*
Applicant Narrative
Along with your application, you must also include a 2-3 page written personal narrative responding to the following questions:
1. Why do you want to attend the Leadership Academy?
2. What and how you will contribute to the learning environment?
3. What do you believe are the three most significant challenges we face in conservation law enforcement going forward?
4. Leadership requires changing ourselves in response to the change taking place around us. What do you believe are the most significant cultural shift(s) conservation law enforcement needs to make in response to the three challenges you listed in Question #3?
5. Tell us about one specific personal self-awareness development area you have identified for yourself, and why, if improved upon, you believe it would enhance your leadership capacity.
Please do not exceed three pages of text.

If AI assists are used, please use appropriate citation.
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Applicant Attestation of Commitment
I am fully committed to fostering a safe and respectful learning environment and to developing my leadership capacity — both personally and on behalf of my agency, the Conservation Law Enforcement profession, and the protection of our nation's natural resources.

In support of this commitment, I affirm that:
- I will arrive on time for all classes and actively participate in discussions.
- I will complete all course assignments and submit all required deliverables by the stated deadlines.
- I will adhere to the learning environment norms and all NCTC rules and regulations.
- I will engage fully in individualized coaching and be open to feedback to support my professional growth.
- I will provide honest and constructive evaluations of the program to help strengthen training for future law enforcement leaders.
Date

MonthDayYear
Date
Please provide your full name as an electronic signature attestation*
Full Name here
Should be Empty:

Chief or Executive Endorsement

Applicant Information

Emergency Contact Information

Applicant Narrative

Applicant Attestation of Commitment