REMOVAL AUTHORITIES, STAFF REDUCTIONS AND OUTPLACEMENT BUREAU OF INTELLIGENCE AND RESEARCH

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00530R000200280022-1
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 10, 2013
• Sequence Number: 22
• Content Type: REPORT

Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/10: CIA-RDP90-00530R000200280022-1
REMOVAL AUTHORITIES, STAFF REDUCTIONS AND OUTPLACEMENT
Bureau of Intelligence and Research
Removal Authority
The Secretary of State's authority to remove Foreign Service
Officers assigned to INR is contained in PL 96-465, the Foreign
Service Act. INR career civil service employees are removed under
the provisions of Title 5 USC. PL 96-465 authorizes the Secretary
to terminate employment of members of the Foreign Service for any
reason, including "selection out" without the right to appeal
outside the Department. Procedures governing removals of civil
service employees are handled in a manner prescribed by OPM (FPM
Chapt 752) and other provisions of law. Career civil service
employees have appeal rights to MSPB. Foreign Service Officers are
covered by a different set of procedures which have been
established by the Department in accordance with Chapter 10 of the
Foreign Service Act. INR is a very small component of the State
Department (about 100 Foreign Service Officers and 250 civil
servants) and removals are a rarity. In the past 3-1/2 years,
there has only been one person terminated, and that was a civil
service employee for unacceptable performance.
General Staff Reductions
If faced with a significant staff reduction, INR (State Dept)
would initially implement a hiring freeze, would seek early
optional retirement authority if that were not enough, and, as a
last resort, would initiate a RIF. Only civil service employees
would be subject to a RIF, which would be conducted in accordance
with policy and procedures as prescribed by OPM. Although members
of the foreign service are exempt from RIF, they are still subject
to "selection out" by the Secretary. There has not been a major
RIF in the State Dept. since 1954. However, earlier this year
early optional retirement was authorized for some 40 State Dept.
employees (three in INR) as a result of budgetary cuts.
Outplacement
State Dept. conducts an comprehensive and effective
outplacement program under the direction of the Office of Career
Transition. The Career and Retirement Counseling Services Program
is designed to provide information and assistance to employees so
they may plan and prepare for retirement, and to provide assistance
and counseling for those involuntarily separated (other then for
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cause) to ease transition into other employment. It is not
intended that the program be one of job placement, but instead to
provide personal preparation and assistance in the transition from
active service with the Dept. of State. Priority for involvement
in the program is given to those employees facing mandatory or
involuntary separation or retirment. Others may participate on a
space available basis. The program is open to both foreign service
and civil service employees and is run four times each year. Each
class runs for 90 days (30 days for civil service employees), with
about 50-70 participants in the summer session and about 20 in each
of the other classes. Participants must complete the program and
retire or pay back the amount of base salary for the period of full
time participation in the program.
Adequacy of Current Program
Adequate authorities exist in law for the Secretary to remove
members of the Foreign Service or civil service employees of the
Dept. of State as may be required. Similarly, adequate adverse
action and staff reduction procedures are also in place.
The State Dept.'s outplacement program is exceptionally good,
and, although the scope of the program is justified on the basis of
providing assistance to those involuntarily separated or retired,
some kind of similar program would be very worthwhile for other IC
agencies who have nothing comparable to offer.
353/ September 29
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Declassified and Approved For Release 2013/01/10: CIA-RDP90-00530R000200280022-1