U.S. Marshals Service Hiring

[rix031]

LMAO @ double time! Who makes double time for OT?

FYI-cbp actually gets double-time.

[Joeyd6]

Labor Trouble Brews at Marshals Service

By Stephen Barr
Wednesday, April 9, 2008; Page D04

There are some unhappy employees at the U.S. Marshals Service.

This Story
Labor Trouble Brews at Marshals Service
Wednesday, April 9 at noon ET: Federal Diary Live
About 220 criminal investigators at the Justice Department agency have formed Marshals Unified to protest a "conversion program" that permits deputy marshals to become criminal investigators without going through the regular civil service competition for jobs.

"The new conversion program, in effect, violates federal merit-system principles that dictate fair implementation and execution of the hiring and promotion practices of federal agencies," lawyers for Marshals Unified wrote to John F. Clark, director of the Marshals Service.

The dispute, which has gone on for months, demonstrates the ill feelings that can develop in federal agencies when officials change hiring and promotion practices to fill gaps in staffing or meet the demands of increased workloads. Those bad feelings often turn into grievances or court actions if employees perceive that agency managers have no interest in acting on their complaints.

In the Marshals Service case, the conversion program has allowed deputy marshals to become criminal investigators while putting in less time to reach the top career position -- General Schedule grade 12 -- for that occupation, according to lawyers for the investigators who have filed grievances. It permits an investigator to rise to GS-12 a year or two sooner than investigators who followed the regular merit promotion rules.

The program often allows those who convert to be paid more, despite having less experience than investigators in the older merit system. Every paycheck issued to a converted investigator represents a violation of the government's principle of equal pay for equal work, the lawyers said.

When some investigators complained about the conversion program to Clark, they were told to take their concerns to the agency's human resources office, according to the lawyers.

After several months passed with no attention, the investigators sent a letter to Clark through their lawyers. The agency directed them to file individual grievances, and 181 did so.

The grievances, however, were denied by the agency because of "untimeliness," according to a letter from David Anderson, the deputy assistant director for human resources at the Marshals Service.

The grievances were filed in January, too long after the conversions took place, from May 2003 to August 2006, he wrote.

David Turner, a Marshals Service spokesman, said in an e-mail that the deputy conversion program was developed "to enhance the efficiency" of the agency, which has tried to make the program "as fair as possible."

Turner said he could not comment further because grievances are pending.

William L. Bransford, one of the lawyers representing Marshals Unified, said a second grievance has been filed and investigators are awaiting a response from the agency. About 300 marshals were put at a financial disadvantage because of the conversion program, Bransford said.

"You would think an agency with that many unhappy employees would talk to them," he said.

[Switchback]

It's hardly the issue that you may think. It all revolves around the time it takes those employees who were hired as 082s and had to compete for 1811 to reach their journeyman as opposed to those since the new practice of automatically rolling 082s over to 1811.

Those that competed took 2 years longer to reach journeyman than those that are now being hired as 082s and automatically becoming 1811s.

[WJD27]

Hello everyone,

I am a current FCIP applicant out of the Phoenix, AZ office. I look forward to exchanging information regarding the process!

My status:

Spring 07 Interview
July filled out the small background questioner
Feb 08 got nervous and contacted a former US Marshal
Feb 08 found out that I am 15th on the list for AZ.
April 08 Staying in shape and applying for the Border Patrol (AZ)

Any thoughts? I am hoping that by moving to AZ I will enhance my opportunities. I have two degrees w/honors speak Spanish and Portuguese
Thanks,
WJD

[SHSURobert]

A few more questions :D

I see that those that are hired are eligible for promotion to a higher paygrade. To me, this means that it may or may not happen and to get to GS-12 might not happen for everybody. Is this the case? What things are considered when a person is under consideration for promotion? Are there new responsobilities when receiving a promotion or only an increase in pay?

Thanks, y'all.

Robert

[Switchback]

Progression to journeyman is generally automatic, as long as you do't get into any significant trouble.

[Stub]

I see that those that are hired are eligible for promotion to a higher paygrade. To me, this means that it may or may not happen and to get to GS-12 might not happen for everybody. Is this the case?

Under our current policy, promotion to GS-12 is non-competitive. Also, refer to switch's response.

What things are considered when a person is under consideration for promotion?

For non-competitive promotions:
- Meet eligibility requirements (time in grade)
- Subject to an active internal investigation or discipline = delayed promotion
- Subject to performance improvement plan = delayed promotion

Are there new responsobilities when receiving a promotion or only an increase in pay?

For non-competitive promotions:
- Generally, no.

For competitive promotions (to GS-13 and higher):
- Absolutely.

[MDTerp07]

This is probably a common sense question but I will ask anyways.

Are supervisory Deputies (GS-13+) still involved in field work or do they simply perform their duties behind a desk?


I know the director has been trying to get Journeyman 13's. Is he making any progess with that? Do you guys think this will ever happen?

[MDTerp07]

This website is helpful with the FERS Retirement system:


http://www.opm.gov/fers_election/fersh/h_fers3.htm#tsp

[Stub]

Are supervisory Deputies (GS-13+) still involved in field work or do they simply perform their duties behind a desk?

That depends on what type of supervisor you are, who you are supervising, and what your responsibilities are.

I know the director has been trying to get Journeyman 13's. Is he making any progess with that?

Yes. As of this year, our members assigned to WITSEC now journeyman to 13's.

Do you guys think this will ever happen?

I'm optimistic.

[Switchback]

Some guys really dwell on the GS13 journeyman thing. I am not one of them. I enjoy my job too much to compare it to another that gets a few dollars more that I would not enjoy nearly as much... and we still have some opportunity for OT, unlike most 1811s.

[Vorpal]

Progression to journeyman is generally automatic, as long as you do't get into any significant trouble.

If you get in serious trouble you will jump to the head of the line for consideration as a supervisor. I'm only half kidding.

[Switchback]

Hahahaha.... would the fact that i Hav a list of names and offenses mean anything?

:D

[SHSURobert]

Thanks for the info guys. Once again, I appreciate it.

[rix031]

i just heard some 3rd party intel. maybe SWITCHBACK or some other deputies can expand on the topic.

i heard that the reason why people were expedited through the process (fcip) was in anticipation in receiving $$ for the "adam walsh" bill, act, etc. but, as of today, this has not happened. the marshals did receive $$ from dhs, which is the reason for hiring predominately for the southern border and not the other sites i.e. ny, miami, etc.