MWA Office Professionals Meeting
Peoria, IL
Willis Collie, Director
Jonathan A. Carrillo, Data Analyst
Eastern Business Service Center
• AFM Reorganization and status
• Proposed area reorganization
• Human Resources
• AFM Communications Template
• EBSC Weekly Report
EBSC Update
Talking Points
EBSC Update
Current Area Structure
EBSC Update
AFM Reorganization into BSCs
EBSC Update
New AFM Structure
EBSC Update
BSC – Top Priorities
• Build high quality, responsive, cohesive teams
• Standardize processes• Learn and better understand
needs of customer• Define expectations for BSC staff
& customer• Strengthen relationships with
Areas and Locations• Re-establish and re-build
communication links (vertically, horizontally, internally, externally)
EBSC Update
BSC – Current Standing
2½ years into the reorganization:• Dust has settled • Area-specific identity Eastern Business Service Center • Internal Teams have learned to work well together• Functional areas are collaborating across all BSCs and AFM Divisions• BSC Directors / Area Directors communicate frequently (still not DAD)• Virtual concept -- no longer major obstacle• Workload heavy due to loss of positions• Communications continues to need a lot of attention (AFM Greenies)• More Buy-in for standardizing processes, but much more to do • Tools are coming on line to help us work more efficiently
EBSC Update
New Area Structure – (Oct. 1st)
EBSC Update
EBSC – Org Chart
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
Challenges faced by HR:
•Prior to reorg, Agency had to close 10 ARS locations
•Hiring Freeze Agency-wide to accommodate impacted
employees
•VERA/VSIP
•Lots of vacant positions across Agency
•2 months later – AFM reorganized
• HRD – policy, systems, external reporting, liaison
• BSC – operations (recruitment, classification, staffing,
processing)
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
Challenges faced by HR:
•Budget cuts in 2012
•Sequestration in 2013
•Since that time:
Received numerous “unfunded mandates”, such as:
•Pathways
•Additional reporting requirements
•CT tracking and reporting
•HR Director Position became vacant
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
AFM•-107 FTE•-22%
HR•-51 FTE•-26%
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
ONE HR: Implement 8 new Systems
• EmpowHR eRecruit
• eVerify eEODonline
• eComp LERIS
• Telework Database
• Vacancy Status System
Undergone 2 OPM Audits
• Tightening processes
• Increased Accountability
• Increased Oversight
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
Eliminated use of Demo authority for any positions other than Scientists
• Implementing use of DEU authority
New Departmental Policies:
• Merit Promotion process changes
• Telework
• Awards
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
The Perfect Storm
All of this has led to:
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
What are we doing to “weather the storm”? •Hired a new EBSC HR Branch Chief – David Glines
•Recently hired new HR Director
•Leveraging resources with other agencies (FSA, OPM)
•Pushing back (where possible) with the Department
•Training, training, training staff
•Hiring more resources – 25 new HR positions just established; 9 new HR Spec in EBSC.
EBSC UpdateEBSC – Addressing the HR Issues
Latest Challenges: •Need to recruit as many SY positions as quickly as possible.
•Several hundred L/A and Pathways appointments to be processed and
onboarded in May and June
•Formation of Tiger Teams to focus on above two areas
•Development of new L/A Tracking Database• https://adminservices.ars.usda.gov/sc/NCR/Lists/STUDENTS%20%20LA%20O
NBOARDING%20TRACKING/AllItems.aspx
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EBSC UpdateNew AFM Communications Template
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EBSC UpdateWeekly Report
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EBSC Update
Thank you
Questions?
Willis Collie, [email protected]
Jonathan A. Carrillo, Data [email protected]
