Exceptions to Hiring Controls

In Reply Refer To:
Mail Stop 101 

                             MEMORANDUM 

                                                                           
                                            February 23, 2001 

To:       Executive Leadership Team 

From:     Kathryn Clement /signed/ 
               Deputy Director 

Subject:  Exceptions to Hiring Controls 

The Secretary of the Interior has issued guidance that provides exceptions 
to the hiring controls imposed in a memorandum from the President's Chief 
of Staff, dated January 20, 2001.  As you are well aware, these hiring 
controls essentially eliminated all recruitment and staffing activities 
across the government.  In her hiring exceptions guidance, the Secretary 
offers very clear and specific cautions that bureaus should "closely 
review and judiciously approve hiring and placement actions in line with 
budget projections." 

We have carefully revised our hiring and placement opportunities under the 
new guidelines in light of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) fiscal year 
2002 budget to assure that short-term staffing decisions do not adversely 
impact the funding for next fiscal year and beyond.  Decisions to apply 
the hiring flexibilities afforded by the Secretary's guidelines must be 
balanced by decisions to insure our long-term fiscal health. 

Numerous USGS programs have been identified in recent weeks as reaching 
critical staffing decision points.  These programs include our seasonal 
and student hiring.  You may proceed to fill positions in these programs 
as well as take action on other specific staffing and placement 
opportunities as outlined in the attachment.  Exceptions to the hiring 
controls specifically exclude any action that will increase our permanent 
financial liability.  We realize these restrictions, however temporary, 
will cause disruption.  However, due to the uncertainties of the USGS 
budget, we must proceed with caution before extending further exceptions 
to the hiring controls. 

I have asked the headquarters and regional personnel officers to 
administer and monitor the implementation of these hiring restrictions and 
to advise me on the appropriateness of further delegations of hiring and 
placement opportunities as funding decisions are resolved.  I have also 
asked the Personnel Office to develop an approval process for personnel 
actions not contained in the attachment.  Specific hiring questions 
resulting from these guidelines should be directed to your servicing 
personnel officer. 

Attachment 

Copy to:  Regional Executives 
                Chiefs, ORS
                USGS Personnel Officer 
                Regional Personnel Officers