United States Department of Agriculture
Research, Education and Economics
ARS * CSREES * ERS * NASS
Bulletin
Title: | ARS Consolidated SY Recruitment Program |
Number: | 99-401 |
Date: | August 10, 1999 |
Originating Office: | Human Resources Division, AFM/ARS |
Distribution: | Area Directors, Area
Administrative Officers, All ARS Locations and HRD Branch Chiefs cc: Floyd P. Horn, Edward B. Knipling, K. Darwin Murrell, Wiz Horner, Gene Spory, Ray Leaman, Jean Rector and HRD Home Page |
Expires: | November 30, 2000 |
Purpose
This bulletin provides information on the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Consolidated
SY Recruitment Program.
Background
Prior to 1998, SY recruitment was conducted individually, position by position. In
February 1998, Agency management decided to conduct a one-time "mass
recruitment" to fill the 100+ vacant SY positions in the agency. A two-thirds page
display ad was placed in Science magazine and several other professional journals.
Individual vacancy announcements were placed on the ARS Home Page and OPM's USAJOBS
website (usajobs.opm.gov).
This campaign was very successful, resulting in
management's decision to institutionalize this recruitment approach.
Consolidated SY Recruitment Time Line
The attached Time Line establishes dates for three SY recruitment cycles each year (fall,
spring, and summer). The process and Time Line ensure a structured approach to recruitment
and best use of advertising dollars.
Under this approach, Area Directors (AD's) and other selecting officials can better plan their advance recruitment and outreach efforts by contacting colleagues and educational institutions for referral of candidates, with the objective of generating a pool of quality candidates for each position.
Selecting officials can also better plan for the interviews, particularly since for most SY positions an interview or selection panel is convened. Knowing when certificates will be issued enables the selecting official to reserve dates on panel members' calendars well ahead of time. This will help expedite the selection process.
Selecting officials should work closely with their
servicing personnel management specialist throughout the recruitment process in order to
ensure a successful selection.
Exceptions
If special circumstances arise that require the initiation
of an SY recruit action outside the established Time Lines, AD's may on a case by case
basis request an exception from Human Resources Division Branch Chiefs. The following are
examples of the types of circumstances that might qualify for an exception:
/s/
KAREN M. BROWNELL
Acting Director, Human Resources Division
Attachment 1
Attachment 1
Consolidated Research Scientist Recruitment Program Time Line |
Action |
Due Date |
Responsible Official |
Cycles |
Fall |
Spring |
Summer |
||
All Request for Personnel Actions (SF52) submitted to HRD | Sept. 1, 1999 |
Dec. 15, 1999 |
April 15, 2000 |
Selecting Official |
Display ad placed in Science, appropriate minority outreach media, etc and on USDA, ARS and OPM web sites | Oct. 1999 |
Feb. 2000 |
May 2000 |
HRD |
Individual vacancy announcements open * | Oct.
1 - Nov. 15, 1999 |
Feb.
1 - Mar. 15, 2000 |
May
15 - June 30, 2000 |
HRD |
Certificates issued | Dec. 15, 1999 |
April 15, 2000 |
July 31, 2000 |
HRD |
Selections made | March 15, 2000 |
July 15, 2000 |
Oct. 31, 2000 |
Selecting Official |
Note: Prior to certificate being issued, selecting official
can begin making plans for the selection process that will be used, such as selection
panel, seminars, etc., and reserve dates on peoples' calendars, to expedite the selection
process.
* Vacancy announcements may close after 4 weeks.