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	Expiration: November 30, 2000

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

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:

To backfill a critical position which becomes vacant unexpectedly after a cycle has begun (e.g., as a result of retirement, etc.);

To fill additional positions created by receipt of new money at a time other than the normal budget allocation cycle;

To extend the closing date or re-advertise vacancies; or

To coordinate the timing of placing an ad other than in Science.

/s/

KAREN M. BROWNELL

Acting Director, Human Resources Division

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.