Agencies have until Aug. 23 to submit their SES position projections for OPM's biennial review of agency executive allocations. Douglas Rissing / Getty Images
OPM wants agencies to tally their senior executive needs
The federal government’s HR agency has requested biennial projections for the number of SES and scientific professionals that agencies will likely need through 2027.
The Office of Personnel Management wants federal agencies to let it know how many senior executives, scientific/professionals and other senior-level personnel they estimate they will need for the next two years.
OPM outlined its biennial review of agency executive allocations in a July 10 memorandum, calling on agency and department heads to examine their potential Senior Executive Service needs through fiscal 2026 and 2027 and how they may have changed.
The biennial review, which is required by statute, will give agencies until Nov. 22 to fully outline their anticipated SES needs, but they must also detail the projections of their position needs in their Senior Level and Scientific/Professional pay systems by Aug. 23.
The August deadline will require agencies to submit written information like whether they intend to maintain or increase current SES resources, if they plan to convert SES positions to senior-level or scientific/professionals or if they plan to redesignate any general or career-reserved positions.
“OPM expects agencies to be judicious in making requests for additional allocations. In determining the number of allocations to request, agencies should complete a comprehensive agency-wide assessment of current and prospective executive resources needs and consider mission priorities,” said Veronica E. Hinton, OPM associate director of workforce policy and innovation, in the memorandum.
Assessments should include a rigorous evaluation of current programs and potential future planned programs to ensure the strategic and effective utilization of all existing allocations. In addition, assessments should also inform whether positions are still appropriately classified.
Priority for SES allocations will be provided to changes determined by new legislative changes or other critical needs. Agencies will be required by OPM to address vacancy rates of more than 8%.
“OPM understands the constraints agencies are placed under when preparing and completing requests and would like to allow sufficient time for agencies to properly assess their needs and strategically align them with mission priorities and budget prioritizations,” said Hinton.