Civilian Personnel

Overview

• Why employ civilians?• Basic policies for management of DoD civilian

positions• Position descriptions• General schedule (GS) and federal wage

system positions• Military grade vs. Civilian grade

Overview Continued

• Work relationships• Sources of supervisory guidance• Complaint channels available to civilians

Why Employ Civilians

• To acquire abilities not available• Highly technical positions• More efficient to hire already qualified civilians

• Assure continuity of administration and operation• Civilians are not subject to PCS rules• Provide corporate knowledge

Why Employ Civilians Cont’d

• Obtain nucleus of workers that can be expanded in an emergency

• Free military personnel for military duties• Military members can concentrate on combat

readiness• Deployment

Basic Policies for Management of DoD Civilian Positions

• AFMAN 36-203• Governs management of civilian positions

• HQ.USAF/A1M at HQ USAF• Determines number of civilians required to support

the air force mission• HQ USAF/A1M further allocates civilian manpower to

MAJCOMs and operating agencies• Needs must be justified before positions can be filled

Management of DoD Civilian Positions Cont’d

• Agencies involved in certification process• Requesting agency must prepare position

description• Management/engineering personnel review

position and certify it• Local civilian personnel flight (CPF) classifies

position and determines grade level

Position Descriptions

• Not based on AFSC as with military members• Based on duties and responsibilities required to

support mission requirements• Position description is the official document that

outlines major duties that must be performed• Determines the grade of employee

General Schedule (GS) and Wage System Positions

• General schedule• Nearly two-thirds of civilian employees are GS• White collar jobs (professional, technical

managerial, clerical, and administrative)

• Federal wage system• Second largest category• Blue collar positions (skilled or unskilled trades

such as sheet metal workers, mechanics, etc.)

Military Grade Vs. Civilian Grade

• No official correlation between military and civilian grade

• High grade civilian employees may perform officer type duties

• For protocol purposes, certain civilian and military grade equivalencies do unofficially exist

Work Relationships

• You may work for a civilian• You will encounter civilian employee as co-

workers• You may supervise civilian employees

Sources of Supervisory Guidance

• “36” Series of Air Force publication• Civilian Personnel Flight

Dealing With Poor Performance

• Oral admonishment• Reprimands• Suspensions• Reduction in grade and or pay• Removals

Complaint Channels Available to Civilians

• Informal• Alleged perpetrator• Employee or perpetrator’s supervisor

• Formal• EEO• EEOC• Federal District Court

Summary

• Why employ civilians• Basic policies for management of DoD civilian

position• Position descriptions• General schedule (GS) and federal wage

system positions• Military grade vs. Civilian grade

Summary Cont’d

• Work relationships• Sources of supervisory guidance• Complaint channels available to civilians