Updated April 28, 2004

What is the NIH Transition Center?
The Transition Center is a resource for NIH employees whose job functions are studied as part of an Administration or Departmental restructuring initiative such as competitive sourcing (A-76) or consolidation. It offers a range of career transition services designed to help employees obtain new positions, either in the restructured organization or elsewhere. "Potentially affected" employees—those whose job functions are under study—can take advantage of basic services such as resume preparation to help them obtain positions in a restructured organization (for example, the Division of Extramural Activities Support, which is the extramural MEO). "Affected" employees—those who do not receive placement in the restructured organization—will be offered more comprehensive services, including career counseling, a skills/needs assessment, and additional training services. Affected employees are considered to be in transition status, and must find new permanent positions—in their home ICs, in another part of NIH, or elsewhere.

Is the Transition Center open?
The Transition Center is open. A schedule of classes is available at http://extramuralmeo.nih.gov.

Where is the Transition Center located?
For now, the Transition Center is operating in two temporary spaces; one is on the NIH campus in Bldg. 31, Room 1B43, and the other is in Executive Plaza South, Room 528. Permanent space on the B2 level of Bldg. 31 is being renovated, and an expanded Transition Center is under development at Executive Plaza South.

Will affected employees remain at their current grade while in transition status?
Yes, affected employees will remain at their current grade and pay while they look for new permanent positions. During this transition period, employees will not be eligible for promotion in their current positions.

Where will affected employees be located and who will supervise them?

In the case of extramural support employees, individuals not placed in the Division of Extramural Activities Support will remain in their home ICs while they are in transition status. The IC will designate a supervisor, who will assign work responsibilities (outside the scope of the extramural MEO) and supervise and evaluate the employee's work. The NIH Transition Center will work with employees to develop an individual transition plan, which will require the employee to engage in specific career development activities with the goal of finding a new permanent position. These career development activities will be part of the employee's official job duties while in transition status.

What new positions can people be trained for?
NIH has the flexibility to train employees for placement in other positions at NIH or other agencies if the training is in the government's interest. Factors considered in reviewing requests for re-training include the competencies required for the position; the employee's existing skills, knowledge and abilities; and the benefit to the government from training the employee. Current regulations do not permit the government to pay for academic degrees or for licensure not needed for federal employment.

Are employees in transition status given priority consideration for jobs at NIH?
The NIH leadership is currently developing plans for a placement program to ensure that affected employees are given every consideration for NIH jobs for which they qualify. Once the details of the program are finalized, they will be shared with affected employees and the rest of NIH.

How long can an employee stay in transition status?
Every effort will be made to ensure that employees make the transition to new positions as quickly as possible, spending minimal time in transition status. The NIH leadership is currently finalizing a number of policies related to the transition process, including the length of time an employee can remain in transition status. The policies will be shared with employees as soon as they are finalized.