Agencies should take into consideration the upcoming administration change when submitting their biennial request for Senior Executive Service, Senior Level, and Scientific or Professional positions, according to a memorandum from Office of Personnel Management acting Director Beth Cobert.
Federal agencies are required during even-numbered calendar years to examine their SES/SL/ST needs. Now a written request for positions in fiscal 2018 and 2019 is due to OPM by Dec. 30, 2016. (Detailed written justifications and documentation for changes are due May 2, 2017.)
However, OPM is asking those examining executive resources allocation needs to take into consideration the prerogative of agency heads yet to be confirmed by the Trump administration, who will have their own mission priorities and workforce planning decisions to make.
With this in mind, OPM will first consider requests based on new or changed legislation, unforeseen exigent needs and those from agency heads holding their positions in the new administration. Reorganizations or ongoing initiatives are strongly discouraged as justifications, said OPM, and allocations for positions reporting to yet-to-be-appointed agency heads should be avoided when assessing what to maintain, increase, decrease, redesignate or convert.
Guidance documents on the general information agencies must ultimately submit for the 2018-2019 executive resources allocation process can be requested by emailing Phyllis.Proctor@opm.govor calling 202-606-2683. Questions can also be directed to Laura.Lynch@opm.govor 202-606-2773.
