News Release

Washington, D.C. – Kay Coles James, Director of the Office of Personnel Management, along with Department of Homeland Secretary Director Tom Ridge, today kicked-off the formal design process to create a personnel system for the Department of Homeland Security. James and Ridge spoke to 60 human resources experts, rank and file employees, and union representatives who comprise the design team charged with presenting personnel system options for DHS. James stated, “We have been given a charge by the United States Congress to give the Secretary the best personnel systems that exist to get the job done to protect every one of us in this country.”

The legislation which formed the Department of Homeland Security was signed into law in November 2002, and included language which required the Office of Personnel Management to partner with the new Department by recommending the HR systems to be implemented as DHS became a single, unified agency.

Introducing Secretary Ridge, James praised Ridge for his strong leadership and assured him full OPM cooperation. James stated, “Mr. Secretary we believe in you personally. We believe in the Department of Homeland Security. We are here today to tell you that we are going to work very hard to get for you and this country the best systems that are out there.”

James informed design team participants that this year OPM celebrated the 120th anniversary of the creation of the civil service system by updating a historical account of the civil service entitled, The Biography of an Ideal. James encouraged those present to honor the heritage of the civil service. “The American civil service is one which is held in high regard around the world…so I want you to know that not only are we looking to you for the best, but the world is looking to you to say what is the best right now.”

The legislation reaffirmed the basic protections of title 5 for the Federal workforce, including whistleblower protections, veterans’ preference and safeguards against prohibited personnel practices. Because of concerns that DHS be able to carry out the urgent mission for which it was created, the legislation also carved out areas of managerial flexibility – performance management, pay systems, position classification, hiring, labor- management relations, disciplinary actions and appeals.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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