ACTION's Hiring and Use of Certain Noncareer Employees and Other Personnel Matters

In response to a congressional request, GAO reviewed ACTION's hiring and use of certain noncareer employees to determine whether: (1) noncareer employee hiring, particularly Schedule B's and C's, was proper; (2) Schedule B noncareer employees were performing duties similar to those performed by career employees; (3) ACTION had complied with P.L. 97-377 that prohibited its use of funds for reducing state office personnel; and (4) ACTION had abused its authorities in proposing to reassign a number of career employees and terminating those who refused to relocate.

GAO found that, although not required to use the competitive examination process under its Schedule B hiring authorities, ACTION filled positions which were appropriate for consideration under the bilingual and cultural certification process. In addition, these Schedule B employees were performing duties normally performed by career employees. ACTION's largest noncareer employee group, Schedule C political appointees, were appointed in compliance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and separate executive order authorizations. Furthermore, ACTION complied with the continuing resolution prohibiting its use of funds to reduce state office personnel. Finally, ACTION did not abuse its authorities in proposing to reassign a number of career employees and terminating those who refused to relocate. Although congressional appropriations committees were concerned about the percentage of noncareer employees at ACTION, P.L. 97-377 does not restrict the percentage of noncareer personnel that ACTION could employ.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

Director: Franklin A. Curtis Team: General Accounting Office: Human Resources Division Phone: (202) 275-5451