HR Topics: Richie Taffet

1. Richie Taffet announced that they have opened up three new series in HHS Careers: 401 Biologist, 403 Microbiologist, and 800 Engineer.

2. HR attended the recent DIS Conference. He noted one particular session, "Connecting the Dots: HR, DIS, IC", which informed attendees of the relationship between HR, DIS and the ICs. Mr. Taffet pointed out that if anyone wanted DIS to present this session to the IC, they should let HR or DIS know.

3. Dave Uejio, a Presidential Management Fellow, is establishing a consolidated and comprehensive document of various recruitment strategies. This document will be posted on the web as soon as it's available.

4. The Client Services Division (CSD) was given 22 FTEs, which have all been filled. The employees are either on board or have committed to the position. Additional HR Specialists will be hired as well. A listing of HR staff, including new staff, will be sent to each IC.

5. Ann Baldwin is acting for Chris Major while she is away. Ms. Baldwin is now the permanent Deputy Director of the CSD, OHR.

6. Mr. Taffet stated that OHR is using one standard PD for all Administrative Officers hired through the Administrative Fellows Program. Veronica Dykes and Tim Tosten are coordinating all offers to Administrative Officers. There was a question about who was handling Above the Minimum hires of AFP fellows. Per Mr. Taffet, we should coordinate with Veronica Dykes. Ritchie has the authority to extend the DE cert for AFPs should more hires be made in the future.

7. Contrary to what some have heard, OHR is not attempting to abolish non-supervisory GS-13 AO positions. Instead, Mr. Taffet stated that it is OHR's goal to establish a standard PD for non-supervisory GS-13 AOs. The PD is now in draft and awaiting approval. Until the PD is finalized, ICs may submit requests for non-supervisory GS-13 AOs on a case-by-case basis.

Risk Management: Suzanne Servis

1. Ms. Servis stated that it is critical for the AO community to be involved with Risk Management given the extensive impact on operations.

2. NIH's Risk Management initiative has been delayed due to problems with the former contractor, who has now been terminated. The NIH is now in the process of finding a new contractor, and they hope to have this finalized in the coming weeks.

3. The purpose of Risk Management is to strengthen NIH's internal controls, and it consists of five components: Control Environment, Risk Assessment, Control Activities, Information and Communication, and Monitoring.

4. Methodologies are being designed to help ICs develop a strong Risk Management program. Given delays brought about by problems with the former contractor, the NIH Risk Management Program will be somewhat informal throughout Fiscal Year 2007, but a more formalized approach is expected in Fiscal Year 2008.

5. ICs should begin reviewing their current processes, and develop procedures to improve areas of risk where there is potential for "something to go wrong."

6. Risk Management is in the Director's performance plan, as well as the plans of other IC leadership.

7. By early July, a memo will be sent out requesting that each IC identify a Risk Management Officer to manage the IC's Risk Management program. The RMO will serve on the NIH Risk Management Council.

8. Ms. Servis stated that Risk Management Training will be made available in the near future.

PI Survey: Joan Schwartz

1. Dr. Schwartz stated that the DDIR felt the survey was helpful and identified potential areas of improvement. A total of 550 PIs responded to the survey.

2. Linda Adams will be sending out individual IC responses to the respective IC so that each IC has access to their own IC's data.

3. The DDIR asked ICs to participate in Focus Groups, which PIs have volunteered to serve on to improve certain areas of concern. For example, some PIs indicated in their survey responses that they did not know who their AO was or what duties they performed. Dr. Gottesman stated that perhaps a communication strategy could be implemented to build a stronger relationship between the AOs and PIs.

General Discussion: Michael Gottesman

1. Dr. Gottesman stated his concerns about the possibility of career restrictions for AOs and voiced his strong support for the outstanding work by our AOs.

2. Dr. Gottesman was asked about the status of the proposed Title 42 revisions to the Pay Model. He stated that the proposals were well received, but he did not know the status of actual implementation of the proposals. Ms. Siegle will look into the status.

3. Dr. Gottesman was asked about Medical Licensure policy. He stated that the issues are currently being vetted, but it has not yet been brought to the SDs to consider. The SDs have since considered the recommendation of the MEC and support this policy in principle, subject to individual review and approval. The policy includes licensure of all health care workers who are credentialed by the MEC.

4. Dr. Gottesman was asked about the fact that the SD Pay Model allows for a lower pay range than the NIH Senior Investigator Pay Model. Dr. Gottesman indicated that the SD pay model will be revised within the next few months, but he also stated that it isn't unusual for certain PIs to earn more than the SD.

5. Dr. Gottesman indicated that the NIH Intramural Budget for FY 08 does not look promising, and that we need to figure out how to use NIH FTEs more effectively.

6. Because of budget restraints, there will be a reduction in central services, such as cutting library services and shuttle bus service.

NBS Update: Debbie Fountain

1. Ms. Fountain stated that the NBS has changed its data conversion strategy, which included allowing current Simplified Acquisitions in the ADB in lieu of trying to convert them to the NBS. This will reduce implementation down time. The NBS system will shut down COB 05/31/07, and will be up and running June 4th.

2. Given these changes, staff will now be required to work in both the ADB and NBS systems until at least 12/31/07. The NBS will provide a chart on what is remaining in the ADB, and what is converting to NBS.

3. The NBS is developing special procedures to assist with using the Purchase Card log for credit card reconciliations.

4. Once the NBS goes live, there will be a need to reconcile data feeding from the NBS to nVision which could result in downtime for certain reporting modules after NBS is implemented.

5. The NBS is in its 2nd to last week of training, with May 11th being the last day. NBS is working with NIH to develop further training plans that will combine training in both the system and NIH policies and procedures.

6. Role mapping was cut off COB Tuesday, May 1st with the exception of P-Card Holder and P-Card Approver..

7. Post production support is yet to be identified.

8. Ms. Fountain encouraged attendance at the NBS Leadership Forum meeting scheduled for May 7th in Natcher.

EHRP: Jennifer Burton

1. EHRP is upgrading its system from 8.0 to 8.9. The new version will be launched on June 25th.

2. The change will include improved functionality and navigation. Ms. Burton stressed that the changes are supposed to be very beneficial, and it will make navigation much easier.

3. There will be online training in the coming weeks, although dates have not yet been identified.

4. HR will be providing job aids for quick reference.

IAO Retreat Update and General Announcements: Donna Siegle

1. The contract for the IAO retreat has been finalized.

2. The goals of the retreat will be to establish a new name for the IAOG, a mission statement, as well as a charter.

3. Tim Tosten will be stepping down as Chair of the IAOG because he has accepted another postion as the Executive Officer for FIC. Given Mr. Tosten's departure, Donna Siegle, Ellen Rolfes, and Dinah Huffer will serve as Co-Chairs.