Feds glad to bid adieu to 2011, but will 2012 be better?

Federal News Radio's Emily Kopp counts down the top federal workforce stories of 2011 and makes some predictions fo 2012.

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Survey: CHCOs worry about retaining committed workforce

Retaining good employees in spite of pay freezes and cuts to employee benefits will be the biggest challenge facing agency human resources officials next year. Federal News Radio asked chief human capital officers to reflect on 2011 and make predictions for 2012.

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OPM highlights hiring reform best practices

Agencies are measuring their progress towards hiring reforms and implementing technology to track applications and identify bottlenecks. Those are some of the best practices shared in a memo from the Office of Personnel Management. Overall, it said, agencies are progressing toward the governmentwide goal of filling vacancies in 80 days or less.

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OPM releases draft qualification standards for HR workforce

The Office of Personnel Management has released draft qualification standards for human resources managers and assistants. The draft standards update the qualifications to include competencies and minimum requirements by grade, Acting Deputy Associate OPM Director Andrea Bright wrote in a memo.

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Users frustrated with the new, overwhelmed USAJobs 3.0

Federal jobseekers are complaining that the new version of the USAJobs.gov website is slow and clunky. The Office of Personnel Management had promised that it would be more streamlined and easier to use than the previous version. It is asking agencies that use the site to recruit to extend their application deadlines while it works out the kinks.

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SESers to have new metrics by September

A new memo from OPM details the efforts to standardize and improve the Senior Executive Service's performance management system. A task force of 10 agencies will develop the new process using public and private-sector best practices. Once finished, OPM expects agencies to implement the system over the next two years.

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OPM touts transformation of federal hiring

One year after the President called for improvements to how agencies hire workers, OPM Director Berry said KSAs, long job descriptions and the rule of three are mostly a thing of the past. On average, agencies are hiring new employees in 105 days and most job descriptions are five pages or fewer.

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How to communicate with feds to calm shutdown fears

A fast-approaching budget deadline is creating increasing anxiety among federal workers that government could shut down if Congress does not reach a deal.

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CHCOs to develop HR certification program

The launch of phase two of the HR University moves the standardization and professionalization of federal human resources workers closer. The CHCO Council wants to expand the number of training courses and the specific types of classes for agencies. The HR University also provides a career path for federal HR workers.

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CHCOs have 30 days to improve appraisals

A council working group will deliver recommendations and options to the Office of Personnel Management for how to improve the way managers rate employee performance. OPM Director John Berry said appraisals need to be simplified and happen more frequently.

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CHCOs have 30 days to improve appraisals

A council working group will deliver recommendations and options to the Office of Personnel Management for how to improve the way managers rate employee performance. OPM Director John Berry said appraisals need to be simplified and happen more frequently.

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OPM, Republicans continue battle over federal pay

Director John Berry pushes back against claims from members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that federal employees are overpaid. Rep. Issa called the pay freeze a "farce" and wants step-increases frozen for this year. Berry and Democrat lawmakers continue to make the case that feds deserve their salaries.

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VA pushes hiring reforms through program managers

The agency is using service level agreements to help ensure hiring managers are involved in all parts of the process. VA cut the amount of time it takes to hire a new employee by 20 days. VA hopes to get the average time down below the governmentwide goal of 80 days in 2011.

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Agencies are successfully chopping hiring times down

The Department of Housing and Urban Development went from being the poster child for the dysfunctional federal hiring process to being a model of what others are striving for.

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HUD shows how hiring reform can work

Many agencies have reduced the time it takes to hire a new employee. DoD, Energy and VA are among the departments that have made the most progress over the last year. OPM Director John Berry said a full government-wide look will not be available until early 2011.

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HR University slated to open in January

The Chief Human Capital Officers Council is overseeing several initiatives to improve the training of federal human resources professionals. The university will bring together existing courses under one portal, and eventually will expand to meet current and emerging needs. OPM to announce agency progress in fixing federal hiring today.

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CHCO Council to train HR officers

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Mission and merit systems collide in HR

A recent survey of chief human capital officers reveals some shortcomings and frustrations in the relationship between CHCOs and the Office of Personnel Management. But two veteran federal HR experts said such a tension is natural and even healthy. And a top OPM leader talks about an initiative to resolve concerns over the shortcomings of training on the part of the HR workforce and their ability to assist in hiring reforms.

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Performance management on agencies' front burners

President Obama has said publicly that he is a big fan of performance management, and wants to blend its practice into the day-to-day operation of the Federal Government. But what does that mean for feds who are tasked with actually making the wheels of government turn every day? The Association of Government Accountants convened a conference to discuss performance in government.

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SES needs more to draw the best and brightest

The federal government is facing a variety of challenges when it comes to attracting employees into the Senior Executive Service. Carol Bonosaro, President of the SEA, asys those are the findings of a recent survey conducted by the Senior Executive Association.

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