A MESSAGE FROM OPM DIRECTOR LINDA M. SPRINGER

CHAIRMAN, CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICERS COUNCIL

 

As Chairman of the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council, I am pleased to present our fourth annual report to Congress. Since its inaugural meeting in June 2003, the Council has continued to evolve and expand its influence with the Federal community. This report outlines important activities undertaken by the Council in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006.

In addition, this year's report details how three specific changes to the Council - realigning the subcommittees, appointing Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers, and expanding the training academy - enhanced its overall visibility, leadership, and structure.

As we continue our development, the Council members remain united and committed to meeting the human capital objectives outlined in the Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002.

I look forward to the continued efforts of the Council during this fiscal year and beyond.

This report can also be found on the CHCO Council's website at www.chcoc.gov.

Linda M. Springer

Chairman

Table of Contents

III. Council Activities...................................................................................... 5

§ Meetings of the Council................................................................................ 5

§ Meetings of the Executive Committee............................................................ 7

§ Key Activities of the Subcommittees.............................................................. 7

§ Chief Human Capital Officers Training Academy............................................. 10

§ Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers............................................................. 11

Appendix 1: Members of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council..................... 12

Appendix 2: Members of the Executive Committee............................................ 13

Appendix 3: Chief Human Capital Officers Council Charter.................................. 14

I. Executive Summary

The Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002 (Act), enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 on November 25, 2002,[1] required the heads of 24 Executive departments and agencies to appoint or designate Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs) and to establish a Chief Human Capital Officers Council (Council). The 25-member Council is composed of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the CHCOs of the 15 Executive departments, and the CHCOs of additional agencies and the Small Agency Council, as designated by the OPM Director.

During FY 2006, several changes were made to the structure and organization of the CHCO Council to enhance its visibility, leadership, and overall effectiveness.

First, during the March 2006 CHCO Council meeting, Chairman Linda M. Springer discussed her intent to restructure and realign the subcommittees. After working with the Council members, Chairman Springer unveiled six new subcommittees during the Council's May 2006 meeting. The new subcommittees are as follows: Emergency Preparedness, Hiring and Succession Planning, Human Capital Workforce, Human Resources Line of Business, Learning and Development, and Performance Management. Council members accomplished an important milestone when they developed the FY 2007 subcommittee mission statements and goals outlining the objectives for the coming fiscal year. This plan was formally adopted by the Council during the November 2006 meeting.

Second, Chairman Springer asked each Chief Human Capital Officer to appoint a deputy to serve on the Council. The inclusion of the Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers serves three important purposes. First, they will create a stronger link between the Council's activities and discussions with the Federal Human Resources Directors. Second, the Deputies will help identify best practices for Council meetings, training academy sessions, and subcommittee meetings. Finally, the Deputy CHCOs will ensure continuity when there are changes in leadership among the CHCOs.

Third, key enhancements were made to the CHCO Council Training Academy during FY 2006. In the past, the academy sessions were open to CHCOs only. However, to increase participation and attendance, each CHCO can now send three attendees from their organization to these sessions. This modification, instituted for the last training academy session in FY 2006, was intended to ensure that the best practices shared and discussed during the sessions reach the appropriate human capital staff within the agencies. This change yielded immediate and positive results as nearly 60 CHCOs, Deputy CHCOs, and staff attended the August 2006 training academy session.

This year's annual report to Congress provides details on these changes and outlines the various activities of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council during FY 2006.

II. Background

The Chief Human Capital Officers Act of 2002 (Act), enacted as part of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 on November 25, 2002,[2] required the heads of 24 Executive departments and agencies to appoint or designate Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCOs). In addition, the Act established a Chief Human Capital Officers Council (Council) "to advise and coordinate the activities of the agencies of its members on such matters as modernization of human resources systems, improved quality of human resources information, and legislation affecting human resources operations and organizations."[3]

The 25-member Council is composed of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), who serves as chairman; the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who acts as vice chairman; the CHCOs of the 15 Executive departments; and the CHCOs of additional agencies and the Small Agency Council, as designated by the OPM Director.

The Act's effective date was May 24, 2003 (180 days after enactment).

III. Council Activities

Meetings of the Council

During FY 2006, the full CHCO Council met on November 8, 2005; January 10, 2006; March 14, 2006; May 9, 2006; July 11, 2006; and September 12, 2006.

November 8, 2005

During the Council's first meeting of the fiscal year, members received presentations on a full range of issues. First, Ms. Abby Block, representing the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) at the Department of Health and Human Services, briefed the Council on the Federal Government's new prescription drug program. Next, Mr. Daniel A. Green, OPM's Deputy Associate Director for Employee and Family Support Policy, briefed the Council on several upcoming OPM surveys. His presentation was followed by a discussion led by Mr. Norman Enger, OPM's Director of the Office of the Human Resources Line of Business (HR LOB). Mr. Enger updated the Council on the progress made in implementing the HR LOB, one of five lines of business launched in April 2004. Then Ms. Marta Brito Pérez, OPM's Associate Director for Human Capital Leadership and Merit System Accountability, provided an update on closing HR competency gaps. OPM worked closely with the Council's Select Subcommittee on the Human Resources Fellowship Consortium to identify critical human resources competencies and categories. Next, Mr. Robert Danbeck, OPM's CHCO, informed the Council of a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report requested by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to examine OPM's capacity to lead Governmentwide human resources (HR) reform. After Mr. Danbeck, Dr. Michael Beckmann, OPM's Acting Deputy Associate Director for Leadership Capacity Services, briefed the Council on the 2006 OPM Federal Workforce Conference. Wrapping up the November agenda, Ms. Claudia Cross, Department of Energy CHCO and chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Human Resources Fellowship Consortium, updated the Council on her group's efforts to identify key competencies for the Federal HR workforce.

January 10, 2006

The January Council meeting began with a briefing on the HR LOB co-presented by Ms. Karen Evans, Administrator for E-Government and Information Technology at OMB, and by Mr. Norman Enger of OPM. Next, Ms. Kathie Ann Whipple, Deputy General Counsel at OPM, discussed Selective Service compliance and Federal employment. Mr. Robert Danbeck then provided an update on OPM's 2006 Federal Workforce Conference. This was followed by a discussion led by Ms. Marta Brito Pérez on the Applicant Satisfaction Survey and Management Satisfaction Survey. The criteria for the two surveys was developed by the Council's Subcommittee on Hiring to assess applicant satisfaction with the Federal Government's hiring process and management satisfaction with the quality of candidates and available flexibilities.

March 14, 2006

During the March Council meeting, Chairman Springer discussed the future structure of the Council, which included the addition of Deputy CHCOs and a realigned subcommittee framework. To help coordinate and conduct this important transition, each Council member provided Chairman Springer with the names of their deputies and their preferences for subcommittee assignments.

May 9, 2006

The Council convened its third annual meeting on Tuesday, May 9, 2006, in the Dirksen Senate Office Building. U.S. Senator George V. Voinovich served as the keynote speaker, addressing the Council members and Federal employee groups and noting that successful development and implementation of progressive human resources policies depends on the hard work and dedication of the Chief Human Capital Officers. After the Senator's remarks, the following four representatives from Federal employee organizations addressed the Council: Ms. Terry Rosen, Labor Relations Specialist, American Federation of Government Employees; Mr. Larry Adkins, Deputy General Counsel, National Treasury Employees Union; Mr. Donald McCall, National Vice President, Federal Managers Association; and Ms. Carol Bonosaro, President, Senior Executives Association. Next, the attendees received a briefing from two congressional staff members: Ms. Nanci Langley, Minority Deputy Staff Director, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia; and Mr. Ron Martinson, Staff Director, U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization.

July 11, 2006

The July 11, 2006, Council meeting began with a presentation on the establishment of effective CHCO and Deputy CHCO working relations from Dr. Jeff Pon and Ms. Claudia Cross from the Department of Energy. Dr. Pon and Ms. Cross discussed four main topics for the Council: (1) strategies for building an effective relationship; (2) challenges to effective management; (3) success stories; and (4) past and current issues within the Department affecting human resources. The next item on the agenda was presented by Ms. Nancy Randa, OPM's Deputy Associate Director for Leadership and Executive Resources Policy, who provided an update to the Council on the FY 2005 Senior Executive Service performance data. Council members also received an update from OPM on the agency's Career Patterns initiative, the development of human capital guidance in the event of a pandemic influenza outbreak, and a legislative and regulatory update on human capital issues. The last item discussed was the analysis of CHCO-provided data that reflected the types of graduate degrees obtained by individuals hired through the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program versus the types of graduate degrees needed to help address critical hiring shortages in agencies.

September 12, 2006

The Council's last meeting of FY 2006 included a lengthy agenda. The Council first received a briefing from OPM on the upcoming Federal Career Day Job Fairs. The job fairs are designed to target specific colleges and universities with strong curricula in mission-critical occupations (e.g., engineering, foreign languages, sciences, biological sciences, nursing, and information technology) coupled with an interest in supporting Federal employment opportunities for their students. Next, Ms. Toni Dawsey, the CHCO from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), discussed her agency's use of OPM's USAJOBS vacancy announcement template. Ms. Dawsey explained the ease with which NASA was able to incorporate this system into its existing recruitment and hiring platform. This presentation was followed by a briefing on the steps OPM is taking to implement the Career Patterns initiative from Ms. Marta Pérez and Mr. Ronald Flom. Mr. Flom is OPM's Chief Human Capital Officer and Associate Director for Management Services. Ms. Pérez began the session by discussing how the Human Capital Leadership and Merit System Accountability Division conducted its Career Patterns inventory, while Mr. Flom explained OPM's corporate approach to this initiative. Next, Chairman Springer led the Council in a thought-provoking and engaging discussion on the overall use of human resources flexibilities. As the last agenda item, each of the six subcommittee chairs briefed the Council on their activities. Director Springer also informed the Council that all subsequent meetings would include dedicated time on the agenda for each chair to update the Council on their subcommittee's progress toward meeting their goals and objectives.

Meetings of the Executive Committee

The Executive Committee continues to serve as the leadership entity of the Council and is responsible for certain priorities, including (1) discussing and guiding the strategic direction of the Council; (2) suggesting and approving meeting agenda items for the full Council meetings; and (3) discussing cutting-edge human capital initiatives and their impact on the community at large. In FY 2006, the Executive Committee met on October 27, 2005; December 15, 2005; April 13, 2006; and June 29, 2006.

 

Key Activities of the Subcommittees

Important enhancements were made in FY 2006 to improve the Council's subcommittee structure. First, the subcommittees were realigned and refocused to reflect key human capital challenges facing Federal agencies. The new alignment created six subcommittees, including: Emergency Preparedness; Hiring and Succession Planning; Human Capital Workforce; Human Resources Line of Business; Learning and Development; and Performance Management. This new structure allowed the Chief Human Capital Officers and their deputies to serve as leaders in these critical issue areas.

Second, OPM linked the goals and objectives from the agency's 2006 - 2010 Strategic and Operational Plan to each subcommittee. The linkage enabled OPM to forge strategic partnerships with the appropriate subcommittee representatives and their staff members. In addition, this collaborative approach provided the subcommittees with the opportunity to affect human capital policy and programmatic changes during the developmental and implementation stages and yielded positive, achievable and recognizable outcomes.

Third, to allow for greater ownership, transparency and accountability, each subcommittee drafted mission statements and goals for FY 2007. After the plans were adopted by each subcommittee, they were packaged together and approved by the full Council during the November 14, 2006, meeting. The creation of the subcommittee plans provided the foundation for the tasks and priorities that the Council will address in the next 12 months. The subcommittee plans can be found on the CHCO Council's website at www.chcoc.gov.

The following provides a summary of the mission of each subcommittee and key milestones accomplished in FY 2006:

Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness

The mission of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness is to assist OPM in establishing policies and procedures that enable Federal agencies to continue their operations during emergencies, while safeguarding their employees. In times of crisis, it is imperative that the Federal Government continue to effectively execute its mission, while responding to the crisis and leading the effort to restore normal operations. Inherent in this responsibility is assuring the safety and well-being of its employees, who are both a valued resource and key to important day-to-day governmental operations.

The Emergency Preparedness Subcommittee was extremely active in FY 2006 and continued to serve as a valued advisor to OPM. From May through August 2006, the subcommittee assisted in the development of OPM's human capital guidance for a pandemic influenza outbreak. OPM was required to develop this guidance by section 9.1.1. of the Homeland Security Council's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza Implementation Plan. Through this close working relationship, OPM and the subcommittee developed guidance that was issued in three phases over the summer of 2006. The guidance can be found by visiting www.opm.gov/pandemic.

Subcommittee on Hiring and Succession Planning

The mission of the Subcommittee on Hiring and Succession Planning is to support innovative marketing and recruitment strategies, a simplified and streamlined hiring process, and a structured succession planning effort necessary to obtain and develop the talent needed to meet the complex mission requirements of the 21st century Federal workforce.

During FY 2006, the Subcommittee on Hiring and Succession Planning partnered with OPM on the planning of the Federal Career Day Job Fairs. Several recommendations from the subcommittee were included in the planning phases of the job fairs and led to enhanced coordination and participation among agency representatives and potential candidates. The subcommittee's recommendations included working with the Federal Executive Boards to increase attendance and highlight in-state jobs, offering workshops with information about both mission-critical jobs and specific hiring opportunities, encouraging agencies to build long-term relationships with colleges and universities through the job fairs, and establishing a training session for participating agencies.

Subcommittee on Human Capital Workforce

The Federal human capital workforce is transforming from a transaction-based environment to a more strategic and consultative role. The mission of the Subcommittee on the Human Capital Workforce is to help ensure a successful transition by reviewing, developing and recommending strategies and a framework to promote and foster this evolution.

This subcommittee formally adopted its mission statement and goals for FY 2007 during its October 3, 2006, meeting.

Subcommittee on Human Resources Line of Business

The mission of the Subcommittee on Human Resources Line of Business (HR LOB) supports Governmentwide efforts to ensure that the HR LOB meets the needs of agencies in their Strategic Management of Human Capital. In addition, the subcommittee will provide high-level policy guidance and support to OPM and various Governmentwide groups working on important HR LOB initiatives.

The HR LOB Subcommittee agreed to its FY 2007 mission statement and goals during its September 8, 2006, meeting.

Subcommittee on Learning and Development

The mission of the Subcommittee on Learning and Development is to help create a culture of continuous learning and employee development that will facilitate performance improvements throughout the Federal Government. To enhance and improve organizational performance, the Subcommittee on Learning and Development will examine, explore and propose new and existing learning and development programs.

This newly formed subcommittee held its inaugural meeting on August 24, 2006, during which it developed and adopted its mission statement. The subcommittee goals were formally adopted on October 4, 2006.

Subcommittee on Performance Management

The mission of the Subcommittee on Performance Management is to help improve performance management in the Federal Government by assessing and highlighting best practices, participating in the formation of regulatory and programmatic agendas relative to performance management, recommending strategies for enacting legislation, and recommending oversight and programmatic changes.

This subcommittee held its inaugural meeting on August 31, 2006, during which it developed and adopted its mission statement and goals.

ChiefHumanCapitalOfficersTrainingAcademy

The Council's Training Academy was originally intended to provide a forum for CHCOs to share, discuss and learn about cutting-edge best practices in the Federal human capital arena. However, key enhancements were made to the CHCO Council Training Academy framework in FY 2006. For example, to increase participation and attendance, each CHCO now sends a total of three representatives from their organization to the sessions. This modification, instituted for the last academy session in FY 2006, was intended to ensure that best practices are shared and discussed with the staff responsible for implementing human capital policies and procedures for the CHCOs. This change yielded immediate and positive results as nearly 60 CHCOs, Deputy CHCOs, and staff attended the August 2006 training academy session.

In FY 2006, the CHCO Council Training Academy met on October 27, 2005; February 9, 2006; June 8, 2006; and August 10, 2006.

October 27, 2005

During the October 2005 training academy session, Dr. Doris Hausser, Senior Policy Advisor to the OPM Director, briefed attendees on the development of the metrics for assessing the management of human capital by Federal agencies required by section 1304 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

February 9, 2006

This training academy session included a discussion of the "Phased Retirement to Improve Succession Planning and Knowledge Management" proposal prepared by Mr. Scott Cameron, the Chief Human Capital Officer at the Department of the Interior.  Mr. Robert Danbeck, OPM's Associate Director for Human Resources Products and Services and Chief Human Capital Officer, and OPM policy advisors complemented the discussion by providing ways to effectively deal with the transition of retiring personnel.

June 8, 2006

During this session, Mr. Solly Thomas, Director of OPM's Center for Human Capital Implementation and Assessment, provided an overview and briefing on the agency's cutting-edge tools that support the Federal Government's efforts to implement sound strategic human capital management policies and procedures.

August 10, 2006

During the August training academy session, the new format was unveiled and nearly 60 CHCOs, Deputy CHCOs and staff attended a session on conducting competency assessments on mission critical occupations. Attendees heard presentations from Ms. Daliza Salas, Deputy CHCO from the Department of Labor and from Mr. Steve McPeek, Assistant Director of Human

Capital Strategy at the Department of Justice.
Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers

In March of 2006, Chairman Springer requested that each Chief Human Capital Officer appoint a deputy to serve on the Council. The inclusion of the Deputy Chief Human Capital Officers serves three important purposes. First, they will help create a stronger link between the Council's activities and discussions with the Federal Human Resources Directors. Second, the Deputies will help identify and share best practices for Council meetings, CHCO Training Academy sessions, and subcommittee meetings. Finally, the Deputy CHCOs will ensure continuity when there are changes in leadership among the CHCOs. In addition, the CHCO Council's Executive Director met separately with the deputies on two occasions in FY 2006. He will continue to meet with the deputies in FY 2007 to discuss important human capital related information.

The Deputy CHCOs attended their first Council meeting on May 9, 2006. Since that time, they have played an integral role in the advancement and success of the Council and all its activities.

APPENDIX 1

MEMBERS OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICERS COUNCIL^Ÿ

MS. LINDA M. SPRINGER, CHAIRMAN

Director

Office of Personnel Management

MR. BOYD RUTHERFORD

Assistant Secretary for Administration

Department of Agriculture

Deputy: Ms. Roberta Purcell

MR. OTTO J. WOLFF

Assistant Secretary for Administration

Department of Commerce

Deputy: Ms. Deborah Jefferson

DR. DAVID S. C. CHU

Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness

Department of Defense

Deputy: Ms. Patricia Bradshaw

MR. MICHELL CLARK

Assistant Secretary for Management and

Chief Human Capital Officer

Department of Education

Deputy: Ms. Donna Butler

DR. JEFF T. H. PON

Chief Human Capital Officer

Department of Energy

Deputy: Ms. Claudia Cross

MS. ANTONIA HARRIS

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources

Department of Health and Human Services

MS. MARTA BRITO PEREZ

Chief Human Capital Officer

Department of Homeland Security

Deputy: Mr. Eugenio Sexton (Acting)

MR. KEITH A. NELSON

Assistant Secretary for Administration

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Deputy: Ms. Barbara Edwards

MR. R. THOMAS WEIMER

Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management, and Budget

Department of the Interior

Deputy: Ms. Kathleen Wheeler

MS. MARI BARR SANTANGELO

Deputy Assistant Attorney General for Human Resources

Department of Justice

Deputy: Mr. Raymond Pagliarini

MR. PATRICK PIZZELLA

Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management

Department of Labor

Deputy: Ms. Daliza Salas

MS. LINDA J. WASHINGTON

Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration

Department of Transportation

Deputy: Ms. Patricia Prosperi

^•As of the end of Fiscal Year 2006

Mr. Clay Johnson III, VICE CHAIRman

Deputy Director for Management

Office of Management and Budget

AMB. George M. Staples

Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources

Department of State

Deputy: Ms. Linda Taglialatela

MS. ROCHELLE F. GRANAT

Deputy Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and

Chief Human Capital Officer

Department of the Treasury

Deputy: Mr. Rick Hastings

MR. R. ALLEN PITTMAN

Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration

Department of Veterans Affairs

Deputy: Mr. Willie Hensley

MR. LUIS A. LUNA

Assistant Administrator for

Administration and Resources Management

Environmental Protection Agency

Deputy: Mr. Kenneth Venuto

MS. GAIL T. LOVELACE

Chief People Officer

General Services Administration

Deputy: Mr. William Kelly

MS. ANTONIA DAWSEY

Assistant Administrator for Human Capital Management

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Deputy: Mr. Jay Henn

MR. JAMES F. McDERMOTT

Chief Human Capital Officer

Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Deputy: Ms. Mary Ellen Beach

MR. RONALD C. FLOM

Associate Director for Management Services

and Chief Human Capital Officer

Office of Personnel Management

Deputy: Mr. William Jackson

DR. REGINALD F. WELLS

Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources

Social Security Administration

Deputy: Ms. Feli Sola-Carter

DR. RONALD P. SANDERS

Chief Human Resources Officer

Office of the Director of National Intlligence

MR. ANTHONY A. ARNOLIE

Small Agency Council Representative

and Director of Information and Resource Management

National Science Foundation

Deputy: Ms. Joyce Dory

MR. JOHN C. SALAMONE

Executive Director

Chief Human Capital Officers Council

Office of Personnel Management

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