By Ally Rogers
Photo editor
Thursday, February 23, 2012

The Installation Management Command, along with many other government organizations, is undergoing major budget and personnel cuts. To reduce the impact these cuts have on their employees and personnel structure, IMCOM has created a priority placement program called IMCOM Enterprise Placement Program.

“The purpose for having this program is, because of new fiscal realities, we are overstaffed and have to restructure the force,” said Cinthia Figueroa, the Fort Belvoir IMCOM U.S. Army Garrison staff action officer. “So in order to avoid and minimize a reduction in force, and instead of hiring people from outside (IMCOM), the program offers relocation options to current employees.”

As Fiscal Year 13 approaches, countless IMCOM personnel have been notified that their jobs will be terminated.

“People need to start looking for other opportunities now,” said Figueroa.

IEPP operates in a similar fashion to priority placement program, but uses the USAjobs and Civilian Personnel On-Line process. Essentially, there’s a list of available employment opportunities. Once prospective employees identify a position they are interested in, or perhaps a new geographical location they’re interested in moving to, they apply just as they would any other job. After a short period passes, submitted resumes are reviewed and interviews are conducted.

When a person receives and accepts a job offer they have 45 days to give notice, pack and move if necessary, and report to the new duty-station – moving costs are absorbed by the losing agency.

“It’s a much shorter process than USAjobs, CPOL, or the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, which most of the time takes at least six months,” said Figueroa.

A major aspect to consider of this program is that if a person declines a job offer within IEPP, that person is no longer eligible to apply for other positions. Additionally, personnel may only apply for positions in their grade level or below, there will not be any promotions obtained through IEPP.

But, the IEPP has a smaller prospective employee pool because it’s strictly open to IMCOM employees.

“For IMCOM it’s a way to keep our employees and help our employees so they can have a secure job,” she said. “We get qualified personnel who are already knowledgeable with IMCOM policies, regulations, and terminology.”

As for early retirement, Figueroa explained that eligible personnel have been notified of qualifications and processes for filing for Voluntary Early Retirement Authority and Voluntary Separation Incentive Program. However, those who choose to file for either are automatically ineligible to apply for any vacancy announcement through IEPP.

“Our employees are not forced to move, they may apply to other positions outside IMCOM if they choose. But what we are trying to do is to provide the opportunities for people whose jobs are cut off,” Figueroa said. “Some personnel will say they want to go, some won’t want to go and they will have to compete for other jobs.”

“We are crossing our fingers that this process goes well, so that we won’t have to (Reduction In Force) anyone,” she added. “But if we do, term or temporary personnel will be let go first.”

For more information about IEPP, log into AKO and then visit www.us.army.mil/suite/page/662838.

Every Monday the site will be taken off line for regular maintenance. Vacancies are updated every Thursday. When applying for several positions it’s preferred that one email is sent listing all job numbers, titles, and locations of the vacancies, along with an attached resume.