Town Hall meeting discusses civilian hiring restrictions

  • Published
  • By Gina Randall
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing
RAF Mildenhall --  A town hall meeting for Team Mildenhall civilian employees was held on Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013, in the base theater at RAF Mildenhall, England. Hosted by Col. Kyle Voigt, 100th Air Refueling Wing Vice Commander and Kim Saner, 100th Force Support Squadron Civilian Personnel Officer, civilian workforce and military supervisors were briefed on Air Force civilian hiring restrictions implemented to offset the expected $1.8 billion shortfall in DoD funding for overseas contingency operations. These restrictions became effective Jan. 16, in hopes of having minimum impact on the Air Force and permanent civilian employees.

According to the issued guidance, hiring for open positions will continue but will be restricted to internal candidates. Positions with selections where a job offer has been made on or before Jan. 16 may still proceed under regular hiring practices. There will be some exceptions to meet mission requirements. For example, if there is a mission-critical position that cannot be filled by internal hire and has been approved by the 100th ARW commander, the position will be advertised for external hire.

The difference between "external" and "internal" hire is important. An external hire refers to members of the public not currently employed by the U.S. Air Force in an Appropriated Fund position. Internal hire refers to civilian employees currently employed in a permanent Appropriated Fund position by either the U.S. Air Force or Ministry of Defence, as well as Local National Direct Hire (LNDH) personnel.

Reassignments and promotions within the Air Force will continue as well as MOD transitions to LNDH. Additionally, civilians on leave without pay from previous Air Force positions will be considered internal and eligible for current open positions. Applicants interested in a position at RAF Mildenhall will be considered an internal hire as long as they are already working for the Air Force in an appropriated fund position. However, if the applicant is from another DoD agency, such as the Navy, then they are considered an external hire and will not be considered eligible.

Temporary employees will be separated by March 8, or by their Not to Exceed Date (whichever is sooner). Term employees will continue until their Not to Exceed Date, but will not be extended.

The hiring restriction will also apply to the Local National Direct Hire program. Specific questions addressed included LNDH to LNDH transfers, which will be considered internal hires and therefore authorized.

Finally, Mr. Saner discussed Non-Appropriated-Funds (NAF) positions. Under current operation guidance, these will continue to be filled as they become vacant. However, NAF employees looking to apply for an appropriated-funds position would not be eligible as this is considered external hire.

Base leadership is currently unsure how long the restrictions will remain in effect. More information and contact numbers can be found on the civilian personnel webpage http://www.mildenhall.af.mil/units/100fss/civilianpersonnel.asp.