BUILDING THE FORCE OF THE FUTURE: A NEW CALL TO ATTRACT, HIRE AND RETAIN THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO AIR FORCE CIVIL SERVICE
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to assess the existing hiring approach of the Federal government's civil service and demonstrate the shortcomings of the recruitment process in an effort to attract and recruit the best and brightest force of the future. This problem/solution methodology is used to analyze the rigid civilian personnel system, identify areas of weaknesses and recommend a strategic approach that can help the Air Force recruit highly specialized civilian professionals in mission critical occupations such as Cybersecurity, Acquisition, Intel and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The key findings are these; a federal civil service system full of confusing statutory laws and executive orders left largely intact over the past six decades; a hiring process that lacks the agility to quickly fill vacancies; and finally, a lack of a marketing campaign that leaves many qualified candidates in the dark to job opportunities in the Air Force. Its keys recommendations include the need to overhaul the current personnel system with the incorporation of hiring flexibilities and to pursue a more deliberate and proactive recruitment effort where the Air Force can strategically identify specific civilian personnel gaps and target candidates where they reside. Accordingly, this paper proposes a number of innovative recommendations that can motivate prospective civilian hires to look at the Air Force as their number one employer of choice.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 25, 2015
- Accession Number
- AD1040652
Entities
People
- Eva A. Askins
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College