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Federal Daily - September 2, 2008

Using the Best Keywords to Bolster Your NSPS Self-Assessment

By Kathryn K. Troutman. Co-author, Writing Your NSPS Self Assessment.
DoD employees (189,000 of them) have a deadline coming up for Sept. 30. Each employee has to write their own performance evaluation (DoD says it is voluntary but recommended, and in some offices, it is mandatory). The evaluation (called a “self-assessment”) must include two to four job objectives that the employee pursued this year. The employee then has to detail at least two or three accomplishments that demonstrate that they met their job objectives. The bottom line is this: An employee needs to show in their writing that they performed excellent services to meet the mission of their organization.

The developers of the pay–for-performance system at DoD created a discrete list of skill indicators (which are also keywords) for various performance levels. These performance indicators describe the expected skill levels for Pay Band Levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 (formerly known as GS 4 through 15). Of course, each Pay Band has slightly different performance expectations. This is an excellent list of skills and keywords that serve as “descriptors” for various career levels of employees.

Underlined below are the top keywords for employees in the Professional/Analytic Career Group (71 percent of all of DoD employees), taken from the official descriptions of their performance indicators.

Pay Band 2, Performance Indicator Keywords for Level 3

Achieved the stated objectives

Anticipated and overcame obstacles

Adapted established methods and procedures

Results were technically sound, documented, and met standards

Planned and organized work activities to delivery objective

Made adjustments to changing situations

Anticipated and overcame obstacles

Demonstrated high standards of conduct

Represented the organization effectively

How to Use Level 3 Keywords to Produce an Effective Self-Assessment

Below is an example of a job objective (Engineering Designs) and an example of an accomplishment. The keywords from the performance indicators are underlined in the description. This example demonstrates how to make sure that an accomplishment is written to match the Pay Band Level 3 descriptions.

“Job Objective 1—Engineering designs of aircraft utility actuation, general mechanical actuation subsystems and mechanisms supported in the design, evaluation and consequent integration of these systems into aircraft.

“I achieved my stated job objectives and consistently provided timely, responsive, and well analyzed engineering designs and technical support.

“Coordinated 20+ person team to respond to more than seven complex engineering investigations, cost-reduction initiatives, and requests for action. Selected team based on a mix of skills needs, set priorities, and monitored team progress to ensure timely completion of activities. Team’s work was consistently well regarded, particularly during the Wing fold investigation. Maintained high standards of conduct and represented the organization effectively. Effectively collaborated with other engineers in test planning and data interpretation on the high-profile X-89 and other projects. Adapted established methods and procedures.”

Kathryn Kraemer Troutman is the founder and president of The Resume Place, Inc., a service business located in Baltimore, Md., specializing in writing and designing professional federal and private-sector resumes, as well as coaching and education in the federal hiring process. She provides performance indicator keyword self-assessment samples, personal empowerment writing style, and instruction for writing accomplishments in the new book, “Writing Your NSPS Self-Assessment,” by Kathryn Troutman and Nancy Segal. Go to www.resumeplace.com for more information.

TRICARE Launches New Blog

A new TRICARE Management Activity (TMA) blog offers a chance for the program’s beneficiaries to get answers to health care questions, TMA said in an Aug. 28 statement. The blog, launched July 25, features Army Maj. Gen. Elder Granger, TMA deputy director, who writes about topics of concern to TMA beneficiaries. “We’re constantly seeking new avenues to communicate and interact with beneficiaries,” said Granger. “Blogging is a 21st Century way to get information out and respond to the need for information and assistance from our TRICARE beneficiaries.” To see more, go to: www.tricare.mil/pressroom/news.aspx?fid=447.

AFGE Applauds EEOC Ruling in Rehab Act Case

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) on Aug. 26 applauded an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) ruling which supports an AFGE claim that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must abide by Rehabilitation Act provisions that protect employees from discrimination. EEOC reversed an EEOC Administrative Judge’s (AJ) earlier ruling in favor of TSA. TSA argues that the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 (ATSA)—which created TSA—superseded the Rehabilitation Act. On appeal, however, EEOC sided with the complainant, who said he was denied proper accommodation during TSA’s hiring assessment process, and claimed discrimination based on hearing loss and age. The latest EEOC ruling reversed the previous decision and remanded the case to a supervisory AJ for further review. AFGE said it has long held that the laws creating TSA do not supersede the Rehabilitation Act. EEOC generally has rejected TSA exemption claims regarding the Rehabilitation Act, AFGE said—and noted that in a previous ruling, Judith Getzlow v. Chertoff, EEOC held that “TSA must comply with the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act where there is no conflict between the ATSA-mandated qualification standards and the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act.” To see more, go to: www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=883.

VA Rolls Out Mobile Health Care Clinics for Rural Vets

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced Aug. 27 that it is rolling out four new mobile health clinics outfitted to bring primary care and mental health services to veterans in 24 predominately rural counties across six states. The clinics are intended to bring health care closer to patients who must travel long distances to visit their nearest VA medical center or outpatient clinic. The clinics, actually specially outfitted recreational vehicles, are slated to be on the road early next year as part of Rural Mobile Health Care Clinics, a VA demonstration project. VA is currently in the process of procuring and outfitting the vehicles. Certain rural areas in Colorado, Nebraska and Wyoming will share a single mobile van, while Maine, Washington and West Virginia will each have a VA mobile van. Factors considered in the selection of the participating sites included a need for improved access in the area, the degree to which clinics will expand services, and collaborations with communities the clinics serve, VA said in a statement. To see more, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1552.

Federal Daily - September 2, 2008