TOPICS
TOPICS
Homeland Security begins training managers on new personnel system
The Homeland Security Department this week began the process of training its managers and supervisors in how to use its new human resources system, a DHS personnel official said Monday.
Todd Turner discussed the transition to the new system at the Excellence in Government conference in Washington. The conference is co-sponsored by Government Executive.
The first session took place Monday. The training focuses on "what it means to be a coach and leader," Turner said, aiming to provide managers with specifics about how to set goals and standards for employee performance.
More than 12,000 managers will attend the sessions between now and Oct. 1, Turner said. A total of 131 sessions will be held.
Several federal labor unions have filed a lawsuit to prevent implementation of the new DHS personnel system. On July 15, department officials agreed to delay implementing the system from Aug.1 until Aug. 15 to allow a federal judge to issue a ruling on the suit.
In a speech at the Excellence in Government conference Monday morning, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff made a push for full funding from Congress for implementation efforts this year. "We need to move forward in an efficient, speedy fashion," Chertoff said.
Under the current schedule, the department will begin phasing in performance management changes on Oct. 1, Turner said. DHS already has analyzed more than 350 types of DHS jobs, representing more than 70 percent of the department's workforce, and has purchased survey data on compensation for these positions in an effort to determine market pay rates.
In February 2006, about 8,000 DHS employees are scheduled to be converted into broad pay bands and will begin receiving market-based pay. After a year in the new system, employees' pay will begin to be tied to job performance, Turner said.
COMMENTS
- To hear the press about all of this mess, there is a bit of apprehension among the troops. I have yet to hear a positive word about the whole system (let alone the merger) from anyone outside the upper management ranks. I have, however, seen a statement from someone involved in developing and implementing this nightmare that says that agents are NOT underpaid, but senior management is significantly underpaid. The result that they promise, the average pay will increase, is due to the fact that high level managers will receive substantial increases in salary. Very sad - I hope all of the agencies currently being pushed toward this system fight it with everything they have. Soon to be Former ICE Special Agent Posted August 6, 2005 2:48 PM
- News flash: On July 29, 2005 the Senate confirmed Michael Garcia's nomination as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York. I hear his going away party will be held in a phone booth outside ICE Headquarters. GovExec.com reader Posted August 3, 2005 11:14 AM
- Apples/Oranges/Kumquats? What's the issue here? Special Agent, Inspector, Other Administrative Jobs, it's still the same..President 'Shrub' wants to eviscerate the Civil Service, admit ALL Hispanic-looking illegal infiltrators, and generally make sure that we all drive gas-guzzling SUV's. Write/Talk/E-Mail/Coerce your 'elected representatives' to try to stop this nonsense... GovExec.com reader Posted July 29, 2005 10:00 PM
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