80_FR_79466 80 FR 79223 - Strengthening the Senior Executive Service

80 FR 79223 - Strengthening the Senior Executive Service

Executive Office of the President

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 243 (December 18, 2015)

Page Range79223-79229
FR Document2015-32060

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 243 (Friday, December 18, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 79223-79229]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32060]



[[Page 79223]]

Vol. 80

Friday,

No. 243

December 18, 2015

Part IV





The President





-----------------------------------------------------------------------



Executive Order 13714--Strengthening the Senior Executive Service


                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--
The President

[[Page 79225]]

                Executive Order 13714 of December 15, 2015

                
Strengthening the Senior Executive Service

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, in order to strengthen the recruitment, 
                hiring, and development of the Federal Government's 
                senior executives; I hereby order as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. It is in the national interest to 
                facilitate career executive continuity between 
                administrations; to increase senior leadership 
                attention to, and involvement in, executive 
                recruitment; to reduce unnecessary burdens on 
                applicants for executive positions; and to efficiently 
                document demonstrated executive experience. 
                Furthermore, it is imperative to periodically explore 
                and promote new selection methods that effectively and 
                efficiently identify the most capable and talented 
                candidates for executive leadership positions to 
                enhance the breadth and diversity of experiences among 
                our Federal executives; to better support, recognize, 
                and reward our executives, especially our top 
                performers; and to strengthen executive accountability, 
                all while maintaining a system that is focused on the 
                public interest and free from improper political 
                influence. An important aspect of strengthening our 
                Senior Executive Service (SES) members is valuing the 
                work they do every day, rewarding excellence, 
                professionalism, and outstanding achievement through 
                special act awards, Presidential Rank Awards, and other 
                non-monetary and honorary awards. Consistent with the 
                requirements of Executive Order 13583 of August 18, 
                2011 (Establishing a Coordinated Government-Wide 
                Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the 
                Federal Workforce), and with merit-based principles, 
                this order continues to support executive departments 
                and agencies (agencies) to develop and implement a 
                comprehensive, integrated, and strategic focus on 
                diversity and inclusion as a key component of the 
                recruitment, hiring, retention, and development of 
                their SES cadre. Pursuing these goals will 
                significantly improve the Federal Government's ability 
                to serve the American people. Unless otherwise noted, 
                this order applies to career members of the SES.

                    Section 2 of this order establishes, under the 
                President's Management Council (PMC), a Subcommittee to 
                advise the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the 
                PMC, and the President on senior executive matters, 
                help monitor execution of an important set of executive 
                reforms contained in section 3 of this order, and help 
                keep the Federal Government's executive management 
                practices current and effective. In order to identify 
                and maximize the use of best practices, requirements in 
                sections 3(b)(i)-(iv) of this order will be implemented 
                in three phases, with Phase I consisting of seven 
                agencies, which will execute those reforms in fiscal 
                year (FY) 2016; Phase II consisting of seven agencies, 
                which will execute those reforms in FY 2017; and Phase 
                III consisting of all other agencies, which will 
                execute those reforms in FY 2018.

                Sec. 2. Establishment of PMC Subcommittee to Strengthen 
                the Senior Executive Service. There is established the 
                PMC Subcommittee to Strengthen the Senior Executive 
                Service (Subcommittee) to inform and support 
                Government-wide priorities for improved management of 
                senior executives identified by the Deputy Director for 
                Management of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
                in consultation with the Director of OPM. The 
                Subcommittee shall consist of five members of the PMC: 
                the Deputy Director for Management of OMB, the Director 
                of OPM, and three other members of the PMC. The 
                Subcommittee will be advised by at least two career 
                members of the SES

[[Page 79226]]

                to be determined by the members of the Subcommittee, 
                and shall collaborate with the Chief Human Capital 
                Officers Council. Expressions of interest to serve on 
                the Subcommittee will be solicited, and final 
                selections will be made by the Deputy Director for 
                Management of OMB in consultation with the Director of 
                OPM. The Subcommittee will advise OPM, members of the 
                PMC, and the President on ways to strengthen and 
                improve the SES workforce, as outlined in this order. 
                In addition, it will identify any Government-wide 
                obstacles it perceives to executive management, assist 
                OPM in facilitating career executive continuity between 
                administrations, and facilitate communication among the 
                SES cadre.

                Sec. 3. Requirements. Under the direction, or, in the 
                case of sections 3(a)(i) and 3(b)(ii) of this order, 
                the guidance, of the Director of OPM, and in 
                consultation with OMB and the PMC Subcommittee, 
                agencies shall undertake the following actions:

                    (a) Actions for Immediate Government-wide 
                Implementation.

(i) Starting in FY 2017, agencies should limit their aggregate spending on 
agency performance awards for SES and Senior Level (SL) and Senior 
Scientific or Professional (ST) employees to 7.5 percent of aggregate SES 
and SL/ST salaries respectively. OMB and OPM shall undertake a review of, 
and revise as appropriate, their current guidance regarding aggregate 
spending on such awards. In addition, agencies should allocate awards in a 
manner that provides meaningfully greater rewards to top performers. Within 
120 days of the date of this order, OPM shall issue, as appropriate, 
additional guidance regarding the distribution of such awards.

(ii) The heads of agencies with SES positions that supervise General 
Schedule (GS) employees shall implement policies, as permitted by and 
consistent with applicable law and regulation, for initial pay setting and 
pay adjustments, as appropriate, for career SES appointees to result in 
compensation exceeding the rates of pay, including locality pay, of their 
subordinate GS employees. Similar policies shall be implemented by heads of 
agencies for Senior Professional (i.e., SL or ST) employees that supervise 
GS employees. Such policies and practices support, recognize, and reward 
agency executives, especially top performers, in a manner commensurate with 
their roles, responsibilities, and contributions, and may increase the 
competitiveness of SES positions with comparable positions outside of 
Government.

(iii) Within 90 days of the date of this order, OPM shall evaluate the 
current Qualifications Review Board (QRB) process and issue guidance to 
agencies about materials that would be acceptable for QRB consideration and 
that will serve as an alternative or replacement to the current lengthy 
essay requirement for QRB submission, which may deter qualified applicants 
for SES positions or put an additional burden on human resources staff. The 
guidance shall also advise agencies about ways to streamline their initial 
application requirements for SES positions, including evaluation of 
options, such as allowing individuals to apply by only submitting a resume-
based application and any additional materials necessary to determine 
relevant qualifications, consistent with the new QRB submission 
requirements.

(iv) Within 120 days of OPM issuing the guidance described in section 
3(a)(iii) of this order, the heads of agencies with SES positions shall 
examine the agency's career SES hiring process and make changes to the 
process to make it more efficient, effective, and less burdensome for all 
participants. Agencies shall simplify the initial application requirements 
for SES positions consistent with the guidance issued in section 3(a)(iii) 
of this order, and should only request critically necessary technical 
qualifications, with the goal of minimizing requirements that may deter 
qualified applicants from applying. Agencies shall also monitor time to 
hire of SES positions, and identify appropriate process improvements or 
other changes that can help reduce time to hire while ensuring high quality 
of hires.

[[Page 79227]]

(v) By May 31, 2016, the heads of agencies with 20 or more SES positions 
shall develop and submit to OPM a 2-year plan to increase the number of SES 
members who are rotating to improve talent development, mission delivery 
and collaboration. While agency specific targets will not be required, this 
order establishes a Government-wide goal of 15 percent of SES members 
rotating for a minimum of 120 days (including to different departments, 
agencies, subcomponents, functional areas, sectors, and non-federal 
partners) during FY 2017, and thereafter, in order to ensure the mobility 
of the corps while also maintaining stability of operations. Within 45 days 
of the date of this order, OPM shall issue guidance for implementation of 
section 3(a)(v) of this order. OPM shall evaluate the percentages set forth 
in this subsection on an ongoing basis and make adjustments as necessary 
and appropriate. These plans shall take into consideration the policy 
priorities of the agency, agency needs and rules in the context of 
administration transitions, needs identified in agency hiring plans and 
succession plans, the development opportunities listed in individuals' 
Executive Development Plans (EDP), and the Federal Government's interest in 
cultivating generalist executives with broad and diverse experiences who 
can lead a variety of organizations. These plans shall build on existing 
succession management processes and those established in section 3(b)(i) of 
this order to ensure high potential and top performers have an opportunity 
to cycle through rotations. These plans shall also incorporate, as 
appropriate, flexibilities agencies have such as the Intergovernmental 
Personnel Act (implemented in 5 CFR part 334) to encourage SES members to 
pursue temporary assignments to State and local governments, colleges and 
universities, tribal governments, and other eligible organizations, and to 
better understand the impact of the Federal Government's work on those it 
serves. Finally, these plans shall include an assessment of the degree to 
which these rotation assignments achieve the desired goals for the 
individual and agency.

                    (b) Actions for Phased Implementation. Under the 
                direction, or, in the case of section 3(b)(ii) of this 
                order, the guidance, of the Director of OPM, in 
                consultation with OMB and the PMC Subcommittee, the 
                reforms listed in sections 3(b)(i)-(iv) of this order 
                shall be implemented by agencies on the following 
                schedule: the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, Health 
                and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, and 
                Veterans Affairs; the Administrator of General 
                Services; and the Director of OPM shall implement these 
                reforms by September 30, 2016; the Secretaries of 
                Agriculture, Education, Labor, and Transportation, and 
                the Administrators of the National Aeronautics and 
                Space Administration, the Environmental Protection 
                Agency, and the Small Business Administration shall 
                implement these reforms by September 30, 2017; the 
                Secretaries of State, the Treasury, the Interior, 
                Commerce, and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, 
                and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for 
                International Development, as well as the Directors of 
                OMB and the National Science Foundation, shall 
                implement these reforms by September 30, 2018. By 
                October 1 of each year, OPM shall issue additional 
                guidance after each phase of implementation that 
                reflects lessons learned and any adjustments to these 
                reforms based on the agencies that have implemented 
                them. By the respective date specified above, the heads 
                of agencies shall:

(i) Establish an annual talent management and succession planning process 
to assess the development needs of all SES members, and SL and ST employees 
as appropriate, to inform readiness decisions about hiring, career 
development, and executive reassignments and rotations. These assessments 
shall include input from each executive, as well as the executive's 
supervisor, and shall be used to recommend development activities and 
inform the organization's succession planning, decisions about duty 
assignments, and agency hiring plans;

(ii) Proactively recruit individuals for vacant SES positions and regularly 
review those recruitment efforts at the Deputy Secretary (or direct 
designee) level on at least a quarterly basis, consistent with existing 
rules and

[[Page 79228]]

regulations. Establish a mechanism to track, and raise for appropriate 
senior-level attention, information about each position that agencies are 
seeking to fill, including, at a minimum, source of the recruitment, 
number, quality and diversity (as available) of applicants, source of 
applicants (subcomponent, agency or non-government), and timeliness of the 
hiring process. Use the talent management and succession planning process 
described in section 3(b)(i) of this order and agency hiring plans to 
inform these recruitment efforts; and develop a tailored outreach strategy 
for proactive recruitment for key strategic positions;

(iii) Require supervisors of executives in their agency to work with their 
subordinate executives to update EDPs for each executive required by 5 CFR 
part 412.401, to include at least one developmental activity annually and 
at least one leadership assessment involving employee feedback (for 
example, 360 degree-type reviews) every 3 years to inform each executive's 
developmental needs. In addition, non-career SES and equivalent appointees 
should also have one leadership assessment during their first 2 years, and 
additional assessments every 3 years thereafter; and

(iv) Establish a formal Executive Onboarding Program informed by OPM's 
Enhanced Executive Onboarding Model and Government-Wide Executive 
Onboarding Framework, which shall provide critical support and guidance to 
executives through their first year of service in new positions, consistent 
with guidance to be issued by OPM no later than 60 days after the date of 
this order. Onboarding shall be provided for career and non-career SES, SL 
and ST employees, and SES-equivalent positions.

                Sec. 4. Additional Implementation Considerations. (a) 
                Actions for Agencies with SES-Equivalent Positions. 
                Certain agencies have independent authorities enabling 
                them to establish positions that are equivalent to SES 
                or Senior Professional positions, or an executive 
                personnel system that includes such positions. Whether 
                the positions or employment systems are established in 
                title 5 (for example, FBI/DEA SES) or in other titles 
                of the United States Code (for example, Senior Foreign 
                Service, Defense Intelligence SES, Senior National 
                Intelligence Service), the agency head shall determine 
                the extent to which the agency implements policies and 
                processes to support objectives identified in sections 
                3(a) and 3(b) of this order for such positions 
                consistent with the agency's authorities and purposes 
                for which the law provides them, with such consultation 
                with the Director of OPM, OMB, and the PMC Subcommittee 
                as the agency may require.

                    (b) Agency Status and Reporting. Within 45 days of 
                the date of this order, OPM will issue guidance, 
                concurrent with guidance in section 3(a)(v) of this 
                order, that defines regular reporting on the status of 
                each agency's implementation of the provisions in this 
                order.

[[Page 79229]]

                Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or 
the head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, 
administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with 
                applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.
                    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    December 15, 2015.

[FR Doc. 2015-32060
Filed 12-17-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F6-P



                                                                                                  Vol. 80                           Friday,
                                                                                                  No. 243                           December 18, 2015




                                                                                                  Part IV


                                                                                                  The President
                                                                                                  Executive Order 13714—Strengthening the Senior Executive Service
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                                                                                                                                                                             79225

                                             Federal Register                                    Presidential Documents
                                             Vol. 80, No. 243

                                             Friday, December 18, 2015



                                             Title 3—                                            Executive Order 13714 of December 15, 2015

                                             The President                                       Strengthening the Senior Executive Service


                                                                                                 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the
                                                                                                 laws of the United States of America, in order to strengthen the recruitment,
                                                                                                 hiring, and development of the Federal Government’s senior executives;
                                                                                                 I hereby order as follows:
                                                                                                 Section 1. Policy. It is in the national interest to facilitate career executive
                                                                                                 continuity between administrations; to increase senior leadership attention
                                                                                                 to, and involvement in, executive recruitment; to reduce unnecessary burdens
                                                                                                 on applicants for executive positions; and to efficiently document dem-
                                                                                                 onstrated executive experience. Furthermore, it is imperative to periodically
                                                                                                 explore and promote new selection methods that effectively and efficiently
                                                                                                 identify the most capable and talented candidates for executive leadership
                                                                                                 positions to enhance the breadth and diversity of experiences among our
                                                                                                 Federal executives; to better support, recognize, and reward our executives,
                                                                                                 especially our top performers; and to strengthen executive accountability,
                                                                                                 all while maintaining a system that is focused on the public interest and
                                                                                                 free from improper political influence. An important aspect of strengthening
                                                                                                 our Senior Executive Service (SES) members is valuing the work they do
                                                                                                 every day, rewarding excellence, professionalism, and outstanding achieve-
                                                                                                 ment through special act awards, Presidential Rank Awards, and other non-
                                                                                                 monetary and honorary awards. Consistent with the requirements of Execu-
                                                                                                 tive Order 13583 of August 18, 2011 (Establishing a Coordinated Government-
                                                                                                 Wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce),
                                                                                                 and with merit-based principles, this order continues to support executive
                                                                                                 departments and agencies (agencies) to develop and implement a comprehen-
                                                                                                 sive, integrated, and strategic focus on diversity and inclusion as a key
                                                                                                 component of the recruitment, hiring, retention, and development of their
                                                                                                 SES cadre. Pursuing these goals will significantly improve the Federal Gov-
                                                                                                 ernment’s ability to serve the American people. Unless otherwise noted,
                                                                                                 this order applies to career members of the SES.
                                                                                                    Section 2 of this order establishes, under the President’s Management
                                                                                                 Council (PMC), a Subcommittee to advise the Office of Personnel Manage-
                                                                                                 ment (OPM), the PMC, and the President on senior executive matters, help
                                                                                                 monitor execution of an important set of executive reforms contained in
                                                                                                 section 3 of this order, and help keep the Federal Government’s executive
                                                                                                 management practices current and effective. In order to identify and maxi-
                                                                                                 mize the use of best practices, requirements in sections 3(b)(i)–(iv) of this
                                                                                                 order will be implemented in three phases, with Phase I consisting of
                                                                                                 seven agencies, which will execute those reforms in fiscal year (FY) 2016;
                                                                                                 Phase II consisting of seven agencies, which will execute those reforms
                                                                                                 in FY 2017; and Phase III consisting of all other agencies, which will
                                                                                                 execute those reforms in FY 2018.
                                                                                                 Sec. 2. Establishment of PMC Subcommittee to Strengthen the Senior Execu-
                                                                                                 tive Service. There is established the PMC Subcommittee to Strengthen the
                                                                                                 Senior Executive Service (Subcommittee) to inform and support Government-
                                                                                                 wide priorities for improved management of senior executives identified
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                                                                                                 by the Deputy Director for Management of the Office of Management and
                                                                                                 Budget (OMB) in consultation with the Director of OPM. The Subcommittee
                                                                                                 shall consist of five members of the PMC: the Deputy Director for Management
                                                                                                 of OMB, the Director of OPM, and three other members of the PMC. The
                                                                                                 Subcommittee will be advised by at least two career members of the SES


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                                             79226             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Presidential Documents

                                                                                                 to be determined by the members of the Subcommittee, and shall collaborate
                                                                                                 with the Chief Human Capital Officers Council. Expressions of interest to
                                                                                                 serve on the Subcommittee will be solicited, and final selections will be
                                                                                                 made by the Deputy Director for Management of OMB in consultation with
                                                                                                 the Director of OPM. The Subcommittee will advise OPM, members of
                                                                                                 the PMC, and the President on ways to strengthen and improve the SES
                                                                                                 workforce, as outlined in this order. In addition, it will identify any Govern-
                                                                                                 ment-wide obstacles it perceives to executive management, assist OPM in
                                                                                                 facilitating career executive continuity between administrations, and facilitate
                                                                                                 communication among the SES cadre.
                                                                                                 Sec. 3. Requirements. Under the direction, or, in the case of sections 3(a)(i)
                                                                                                 and 3(b)(ii) of this order, the guidance, of the Director of OPM, and in
                                                                                                 consultation with OMB and the PMC Subcommittee, agencies shall undertake
                                                                                                 the following actions:
                                                                                                   (a) Actions for Immediate Government-wide Implementation.
                                                                                                   (i) Starting in FY 2017, agencies should limit their aggregate spending
                                                                                                   on agency performance awards for SES and Senior Level (SL) and Senior
                                                                                                   Scientific or Professional (ST) employees to 7.5 percent of aggregate SES
                                                                                                   and SL/ST salaries respectively. OMB and OPM shall undertake a review
                                                                                                   of, and revise as appropriate, their current guidance regarding aggregate
                                                                                                   spending on such awards. In addition, agencies should allocate awards
                                                                                                   in a manner that provides meaningfully greater rewards to top performers.
                                                                                                   Within 120 days of the date of this order, OPM shall issue, as appropriate,
                                                                                                   additional guidance regarding the distribution of such awards.
                                                                                                   (ii) The heads of agencies with SES positions that supervise General
                                                                                                   Schedule (GS) employees shall implement policies, as permitted by and
                                                                                                   consistent with applicable law and regulation, for initial pay setting and
                                                                                                   pay adjustments, as appropriate, for career SES appointees to result in
                                                                                                   compensation exceeding the rates of pay, including locality pay, of their
                                                                                                   subordinate GS employees. Similar policies shall be implemented by heads
                                                                                                   of agencies for Senior Professional (i.e., SL or ST) employees that supervise
                                                                                                   GS employees. Such policies and practices support, recognize, and reward
                                                                                                   agency executives, especially top performers, in a manner commensurate
                                                                                                   with their roles, responsibilities, and contributions, and may increase the
                                                                                                   competitiveness of SES positions with comparable positions outside of
                                                                                                   Government.
                                                                                                   (iii) Within 90 days of the date of this order, OPM shall evaluate the
                                                                                                   current Qualifications Review Board (QRB) process and issue guidance
                                                                                                   to agencies about materials that would be acceptable for QRB consideration
                                                                                                   and that will serve as an alternative or replacement to the current lengthy
                                                                                                   essay requirement for QRB submission, which may deter qualified appli-
                                                                                                   cants for SES positions or put an additional burden on human resources
                                                                                                   staff. The guidance shall also advise agencies about ways to streamline
                                                                                                   their initial application requirements for SES positions, including evalua-
                                                                                                   tion of options, such as allowing individuals to apply by only submitting
                                                                                                   a resume-based application and any additional materials necessary to deter-
                                                                                                   mine relevant qualifications, consistent with the new QRB submission
                                                                                                   requirements.
                                                                                                   (iv) Within 120 days of OPM issuing the guidance described in section
                                                                                                   3(a)(iii) of this order, the heads of agencies with SES positions shall
                                                                                                   examine the agency’s career SES hiring process and make changes to
                                                                                                   the process to make it more efficient, effective, and less burdensome
                                                                                                   for all participants. Agencies shall simplify the initial application require-
                                                                                                   ments for SES positions consistent with the guidance issued in section
                                                                                                   3(a)(iii) of this order, and should only request critically necessary technical
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                                                                                                   qualifications, with the goal of minimizing requirements that may deter
                                                                                                   qualified applicants from applying. Agencies shall also monitor time to
                                                                                                   hire of SES positions, and identify appropriate process improvements
                                                                                                   or other changes that can help reduce time to hire while ensuring high
                                                                                                   quality of hires.


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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Presidential Documents                      79227

                                                                                                    (v) By May 31, 2016, the heads of agencies with 20 or more SES positions
                                                                                                    shall develop and submit to OPM a 2-year plan to increase the number
                                                                                                    of SES members who are rotating to improve talent development, mission
                                                                                                    delivery and collaboration. While agency specific targets will not be re-
                                                                                                    quired, this order establishes a Government-wide goal of 15 percent of
                                                                                                    SES members rotating for a minimum of 120 days (including to different
                                                                                                    departments, agencies, subcomponents, functional areas, sectors, and non-
                                                                                                    federal partners) during FY 2017, and thereafter, in order to ensure the
                                                                                                    mobility of the corps while also maintaining stability of operations. Within
                                                                                                    45 days of the date of this order, OPM shall issue guidance for implementa-
                                                                                                    tion of section 3(a)(v) of this order. OPM shall evaluate the percentages
                                                                                                    set forth in this subsection on an ongoing basis and make adjustments
                                                                                                    as necessary and appropriate. These plans shall take into consideration
                                                                                                    the policy priorities of the agency, agency needs and rules in the context
                                                                                                    of administration transitions, needs identified in agency hiring plans and
                                                                                                    succession plans, the development opportunities listed in individuals’
                                                                                                    Executive Development Plans (EDP), and the Federal Government’s interest
                                                                                                    in cultivating generalist executives with broad and diverse experiences
                                                                                                    who can lead a variety of organizations. These plans shall build on existing
                                                                                                    succession management processes and those established in section 3(b)(i)
                                                                                                    of this order to ensure high potential and top performers have an oppor-
                                                                                                    tunity to cycle through rotations. These plans shall also incorporate, as
                                                                                                    appropriate, flexibilities agencies have such as the Intergovernmental Per-
                                                                                                    sonnel Act (implemented in 5 CFR part 334) to encourage SES members
                                                                                                    to pursue temporary assignments to State and local governments, colleges
                                                                                                    and universities, tribal governments, and other eligible organizations, and
                                                                                                    to better understand the impact of the Federal Government’s work on
                                                                                                    those it serves. Finally, these plans shall include an assessment of the
                                                                                                    degree to which these rotation assignments achieve the desired goals for
                                                                                                    the individual and agency.
                                                                                                    (b) Actions for Phased Implementation. Under the direction, or, in the
                                                                                                 case of section 3(b)(ii) of this order, the guidance, of the Director of OPM,
                                                                                                 in consultation with OMB and the PMC Subcommittee, the reforms listed
                                                                                                 in sections 3(b)(i)–(iv) of this order shall be implemented by agencies on
                                                                                                 the following schedule: the Secretaries of Defense, Energy, Health and Human
                                                                                                 Services, Housing and Urban Development, and Veterans Affairs; the Admin-
                                                                                                 istrator of General Services; and the Director of OPM shall implement these
                                                                                                 reforms by September 30, 2016; the Secretaries of Agriculture, Education,
                                                                                                 Labor, and Transportation, and the Administrators of the National Aero-
                                                                                                 nautics and Space Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency,
                                                                                                 and the Small Business Administration shall implement these reforms by
                                                                                                 September 30, 2017; the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, the Interior,
                                                                                                 Commerce, and Homeland Security, the Attorney General, and the Adminis-
                                                                                                 trator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as the
                                                                                                 Directors of OMB and the National Science Foundation, shall implement
                                                                                                 these reforms by September 30, 2018. By October 1 of each year, OPM
                                                                                                 shall issue additional guidance after each phase of implementation that
                                                                                                 reflects lessons learned and any adjustments to these reforms based on
                                                                                                 the agencies that have implemented them. By the respective date specified
                                                                                                 above, the heads of agencies shall:
                                                                                                    (i) Establish an annual talent management and succession planning process
                                                                                                    to assess the development needs of all SES members, and SL and ST
                                                                                                    employees as appropriate, to inform readiness decisions about hiring, career
                                                                                                    development, and executive reassignments and rotations. These assess-
                                                                                                    ments shall include input from each executive, as well as the executive’s
                                                                                                    supervisor, and shall be used to recommend development activities and
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                                                                                                    inform the organization’s succession planning, decisions about duty assign-
                                                                                                    ments, and agency hiring plans;
                                                                                                   (ii) Proactively recruit individuals for vacant SES positions and regularly
                                                                                                   review those recruitment efforts at the Deputy Secretary (or direct designee)
                                                                                                   level on at least a quarterly basis, consistent with existing rules and


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                                             79228             Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Presidential Documents

                                                                                                   regulations. Establish a mechanism to track, and raise for appropriate
                                                                                                   senior-level attention, information about each position that agencies are
                                                                                                   seeking to fill, including, at a minimum, source of the recruitment, number,
                                                                                                   quality and diversity (as available) of applicants, source of applicants
                                                                                                   (subcomponent, agency or non-government), and timeliness of the hiring
                                                                                                   process. Use the talent management and succession planning process de-
                                                                                                   scribed in section 3(b)(i) of this order and agency hiring plans to inform
                                                                                                   these recruitment efforts; and develop a tailored outreach strategy for
                                                                                                   proactive recruitment for key strategic positions;
                                                                                                   (iii) Require supervisors of executives in their agency to work with their
                                                                                                   subordinate executives to update EDPs for each executive required by
                                                                                                   5 CFR part 412.401, to include at least one developmental activity annually
                                                                                                   and at least one leadership assessment involving employee feedback (for
                                                                                                   example, 360 degree-type reviews) every 3 years to inform each executive’s
                                                                                                   developmental needs. In addition, non-career SES and equivalent ap-
                                                                                                   pointees should also have one leadership assessment during their first
                                                                                                   2 years, and additional assessments every 3 years thereafter; and
                                                                                                   (iv) Establish a formal Executive Onboarding Program informed by OPM’s
                                                                                                   Enhanced Executive Onboarding Model and Government-Wide Executive
                                                                                                   Onboarding Framework, which shall provide critical support and guidance
                                                                                                   to executives through their first year of service in new positions, consistent
                                                                                                   with guidance to be issued by OPM no later than 60 days after the
                                                                                                   date of this order. Onboarding shall be provided for career and non-
                                                                                                   career SES, SL and ST employees, and SES-equivalent positions.
                                                                                                 Sec. 4. Additional Implementation Considerations. (a) Actions for Agencies
                                                                                                 with SES-Equivalent Positions. Certain agencies have independent authorities
                                                                                                 enabling them to establish positions that are equivalent to SES or Senior
                                                                                                 Professional positions, or an executive personnel system that includes such
                                                                                                 positions. Whether the positions or employment systems are established
                                                                                                 in title 5 (for example, FBI/DEA SES) or in other titles of the United
                                                                                                 States Code (for example, Senior Foreign Service, Defense Intelligence SES,
                                                                                                 Senior National Intelligence Service), the agency head shall determine the
                                                                                                 extent to which the agency implements policies and processes to support
                                                                                                 objectives identified in sections 3(a) and 3(b) of this order for such positions
                                                                                                 consistent with the agency’s authorities and purposes for which the law
                                                                                                 provides them, with such consultation with the Director of OPM, OMB,
                                                                                                 and the PMC Subcommittee as the agency may require.
                                                                                                   (b) Agency Status and Reporting. Within 45 days of the date of this
                                                                                                 order, OPM will issue guidance, concurrent with guidance in section 3(a)(v)
                                                                                                 of this order, that defines regular reporting on the status of each agency’s
                                                                                                 implementation of the provisions in this order.
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                                                               Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 243 / Friday, December 18, 2015 / Presidential Documents                      79229

                                                                                                 Sec. 5. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed
                                                                                                 to impair or otherwise affect:
                                                                                                   (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency,
                                                                                                   or the head thereof; or
                                                                                                   (ii) the functions of the Director of OMB relating to budgetary, administra-
                                                                                                   tive, or legislative proposals.
                                                                                                   (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and
                                                                                                 subject to the availability of appropriations.
                                                                                                   (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit,
                                                                                                 substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party
                                                                                                 against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers,
                                                                                                 employees, or agents, or any other person.




                                                                                                 THE WHITE HOUSE,
                                                                                                 December 15, 2015.


                                             [FR Doc. 2015–32060
                                             Filed 12–17–15; 11:15 am]
                                             Billing code 3295–F6–P
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Document Created: 2015-12-18 01:38:22
Document Modified: 2015-12-18 01:38:22
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionPresidential Documents
FR Citation80 FR 79223 

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