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AFMC civilians set for Sept. 12 transition from NSPS

  • Published
  • By Libby VanHook
  • Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs
The majority of Air Force Materiel Command employees covered under the National Security Personnel System will transition to the General Schedule beginning Sept. 12, the final of four phases within the Air Force that began on July 4.

This conversion out of NSPS was mandated by the Fiscal 2010 National Defense Authorization Act.

"An estimated 80 percent of NSPS employees will transition out of NSPS," said Sherre Collier, AFMC NSPS Transition program manager. "The remaining 20 percent are scheduled for 2011."

"That 20 percent includes groups that will go to other personnel systems besides the GS system, such as the Acquisition Demonstration Project and deployed civilians," said Ms. Collier. "In addition, organizations going through Base Realignment and Closure will transition in accordance with gaining installation BRAC timelines or remain in NSPS through base closure."

DOD also plans to take more time before transitioning dentists, physicians, and other medical employees, transitioning those employees in 2011.

The Air Force's NSPS transition will be accomplished predominantly by installation and servicing civilian personnel sections and are scheduled in the following four phases: Phase 1 on July 4; Phase II on July 18; Phase III on Aug. 15 and Phase IV on Sept. 12.

Phase IV includes the following AFMC installations: Arnold AFB, Tenn.; Brooks City-Base, Texas; Edwards AFB, Calif.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Hanscom AFB, Mass.; Hill AFB, Utah; Robins AFB, Ga., Tinker AFB, Okla.; and, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Headquarters Air Force Global Logistics Support Center at Scott AFB, Ill., an AFMC organization, will also transition during Phase IV.

Employees will not lose pay upon conversion. These general guidelines will be followed when determining an employee's pay. If the employee's current pay:

--Fits within the rate range of the appropriate GS grade to which the employee is assigned, the employee will be placed at a step that equals or exceeds his or her existing pay.

-- Is below the rate range for the appropriate GS grade to which the employee is assigned, the employee will be placed at the first step of the GS grade upon conversion.

-- Is above the rate range for the appropriate GS grade to which the employee is assigned, the employee will be placed on pay retention to ensure he or she does not lose pay at conversion.

Employees must be placed in GS performance plans within 30 days of transition with an appraisal closeout of March 31, 2011. As with NSPS, supervisors must ensure employees understand their job requirements and how their work aligns with and supports the Air Force mission.

"I can't overemphasize the importance of NSPS employees maintaining close communication with supervisors and human relations experts throughout the transition process," said John Steenbock, director of Manpower, Personnel and Services at Headquarters AFMC. "There's no such thing as over-thinking or over-communicating when it comes to a major change like this. If you are apprehensive about transition, it is important to face those concerns and take a proactive approach."

"AFMC managers and servicing personnel offices are available to address your concerns," he said. "Feel free to ask questions and share your anxiety beginning with your chain of command. They are there every step of the way to keep you informed about transition decisions and policies that impact your movement out of NSPS."

To assist civilian employees in understanding the GS personnel and position classification system, Web-based training modules are available on the NSPS Transition Community of Practice. Enter the Air Force Portal and click on "Communities" at the top of the page, look under Air Force Knowledge Now Social Search for "Find a CoP" and type "AFMC NSPS Transition."

Once on the CoP, follow the instructions to take the courses. Before launching the courses, it's necessary to set Web browsers to allow pop-ups.