Homeland Security Department memo on personnel system design launch

TO: DHS employees FROM: Janet Hale RE: Personnel system design launch April 1, 2003 The Homeland Security Act, which created our Department, also gave us the special ability to design a human resources system that fits us and our unique missions. This Department brings together the proud legacies of the finest agencies in Government. To continue to be successful we must be able to attract, motivate, reward, and train people of the very highest caliber in an environment that is both more challenging and more competitive. Personnel systems created decades ago have not kept pace with the rate of change, have become overly complex, and simply were not created with our unique missions in mind. We're starting our design work for a new system this week by assembling a diverse team of employees from across the Department and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and representatives of the major unions. We want this process to be very inclusive, and we will seek out and listen to DHS employees and managers, and experts both inside and outside of Government. We need to find what will work best for DHS. The team will identify options to present to Secretary Ridge and the Director of OPM in the fall of 2003, with implementation of any changes slated to begin in 2004. Changes to human resources systems are not something any of us take lightly. At the same time, we know our Department must be successful in its missions, and we want our human resources systems to enable our success. I know you care very much about this, and we pledge to keep you informed about progress and opportunities to participate over the next few months. Sincerely, Janet Hale Under Secretary for Management