TOPICS
TOPICS
Senators unveil bill to streamline hiring process
Two senators active on government reform issues on Monday introduced legislation to revamp federal hiring procedures dramatically.
The 2009 Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act, sponsored by Sens. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, would eliminate the knowledge, skills and abilities essays on federal job applications and emphasize résumés and cover letters. It also requires agencies to eliminate jargon from job postings, develop workforce plans and measure the success of hiring reforms. In addition, it asks the Office of Personnel Management to create a database of applicants who want to be considered for positions at multiple agencies.
"Over and over, we hear of the problems in the federal hiring process," Voinovich said. "It takes too long, it is too burdensome and so forth. The quality of technology has improved, but our processes have not. This does nothing to dispel any preconceived notions that the federal government is nothing but a bureaucratic system."
Voinovich is the ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee that oversees the federal workforce and Akaka is the chairman. Both have expressed frustration with the federal hiring process, and during a confirmation hearing last week, they asked OPM chief-designate John Berry to pledge that he would consider proposals to improve it. Berry said he would review efforts under way.
"Agencies should accept candidate-friendly applications such as résumés and cover letters for the initial application and ask for additional information only as needed," Akaka said in a floor statement introducing the bill. "Likewise, technology makes it possible to provide automated information to candidates, so candidates should receive timely and informative feedback about the application process."
The legislation asks agencies to take at most 80 days between posting a job announcement and making an offer. In September 2008, OPM issued a hiring guide that also set 80 days as a goal. At the time, OPM's acting director, Michael Hager, asked agencies to develop a strategy for making progress toward that goal in 2009.
Max Stier, president of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, which has advocated a streamlined hiring process, praised Akaka and Voinovich for introducing the bill.
"At a time when Americans are looking to our government for strong leadership, we need the absolute best talent working at all levels of government service," Stier said. "Applying for a federal job should not require the patience of Job and the courage of David."
COMMENTS
- I'm a retired fed and I now work in industry. There is a simple fix to the government hiring problem -- change the civil service to "at will" employment. If you want to make it easy and simple to hire, you need to make it easy and simple to fire. Otherwise, you need to treat each and every 2009 hiring decision for what it is... a multi-million dollar purchase with a "No Return" policy! Would you purchase a multi-million dollar computer system based on a three-page glossy marketing document or would you demand to see detailed technical specifications and capability descriptions? I rest my case! ED POWELL Posted July 16, 2009 3:46 PM
- While some of the ideas presented are good, still change is being driven on the backs of complaints ignoring the degree to which the changes being proposed are already underway and have been integral to current practice in a number of Federal agencies. I am still amazed there is no understanding of differences between the public and private sectors that should be maintained, not duplicated. Private companies do not have regulatory considerations to adhere to that require review of supporting documentation in addition to a resume. KSA's are cited in all announcements, but narratives on each and every one is not required by all announcements. I wonder if the leaders who are speaking are hearing at all from practitioners, no just trying to respond to complaints that have not been vetted. Keep in mind that no change is immediate and sweeping, nor should be to achieve desired effect. Understand that agencies whose funding limits the purchase of complete automated systems erases a solid segment of the "quick" in hire. Shirley Prophet Posted July 14, 2009 7:58 PM
- I agree with changing the way people apply for positions with the federal government because it is outdated, the format is outdated. I agree they need to take out the KSA's and other junk. But, no matter how they do it the real poblem is pre-selection at every agencies. I work for a military agencey; a person can retire on friday and return on monday in a civilian position. There can be others that have dedicated years of service to that agencey and have been doing a great job leading up to that vacant position, they will give it to the military person first, even if they are not qualified and then ask the person that did not get the position to train them. The people that are doing the hiring need training on how to be fair with the process and hire the person that is best suited for the position. Remember now, this only apply to the white males in the military because they are one that come back into the government at those super grades 13, 14, & 15's. It is so unbeleiveable it's funny. Yes. do away with that 10% preference and give everyone an equal chance. vmaxines Posted June 16, 2009 12:44 PM
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