The CHCOs Start Arriving
The new class, that is. This is the first presidential transition that Chief Human Capital Officers have gone through, and so far the jobs left open when political appointees departed haven't filled up super-quickly. But Janet Napolitano appointed a CHCO for the Department of Homeland Security today, tapping Jeff Neal, who formerly held the same position at the Defense Logistics Agency, and served as deputy human resources director at the Commerce Department. Napolitano's announcement doesn't suggest a major change in the direction of the department's human resources strategy. Like everyone else:
"Neal will focus on retaining and developing the Department's current highly-skilled workforce and ensuring that DHS is able to recruit the additional talent necessary to achieve its mission. He will work to enhance diversity at DHS to reflect the composition of the nation and build department-wide capabilities and systems to provide the best training, education and professional development opportunities."
But even if the priorities aren't dramatically changed, at least Napolitano's put someone in place to pursue them.
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
As long as the workforce is seen as being ‘Human Capital’ nothing will change. What’s next ‘Human Infrastructure?’
Paul D. Posted Thursday, May 28, 2009 6:25 AMFirst disclosure. I am a retired civil servant. Although a lawyer for the bulk of my servicse qualified for a management intern job at IRS before active duty via the old FSEE.
William R. Cumming, Posted Thursday, May 28, 2009 8:12 AMOkay! The significance of the CHCO position cannot be underestimated. During my service in FEMA the Chief Personnel Officers were often highly qualified. That did not save them from the politicians. In my years for example at FEMA--1979-1999 there were 17 different Chief Personnel Officers permanent or acting. Stability and competence in these jobs is very very important. The interesting thing is that several came to FEMA from DOD and they were unable to figure out that they were no longer in DOD and in a completely civil agency with largely an adminstrative and grant making function. All repeat all directors of FEMA in my time abused their chief personnel officers. A study could be made by the Merit System Protection Board and the Office of the Special Counsel as to how they although relatively senior--all SES or acting in SES positions were abused. The Chief Human Capital Officers should be highly competent and understand the civil service system cold and understand the Civil Rights laws, the civil liberties of civil servants, and the devastation that can occur when senior officials either do not understand or even do understand but engage in Prohibited Personnel Practices. OPM, MSPB, and OSC should have a joint training program for all career SESs and PAS, Non-career SES and appropriate others on exactly what are PROHIBITED PERSONNEL PRACTICES! In my opinion until this happens we DO NOT have a civil service system.