Civilian Reduction in Force affects Air Force, Eglin

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EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Ten  civilians here will be affected by a civilian Reduction in Force which is scheduled to go into effect Aug. 23.

Of the 10 civilians, seven are assigned to the 96th Test Wing and three to tenant organizations. An effort last year to meet Department of Defense funding targets in the FY12 President's Budget resulted in the shortfall. The use of RIF authorities is a practice to efficiently and effectively manage mission and organizational changes.

Approximately 1,000 positions Air Force wide at 60 installations are affected by workforce shaping.

"Voluntary efforts to balance the civilian workforce in FY12 have gotten us significantly closer to funded levels, but we still have a way to go in placing the number of surplus employees to funded vacancies, and RIF authorities will enable us to achieve that goal," said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, the director of force management policy for the Air Force. "The Air Force recognizes and strives to balance the invaluable contributions of our civilian workforce with the fiscal realities under which the Department of Defense and the government as a whole are operating. We continue to focus on minimizing the impact on our current civilian workforce and their families."

"Usually a reduction in force has negative perception, but the use of RIF procedures will allow many employees to be retained and continue employment with the Air Force," Grosso said. "We want to assure everyone involved with this process that we remain committed to minimizing the impacts during these times of transition."

Eglin's senior leadership is hopeful the RIF will not result in any loss of jobs.

"Using RIF procedures allow greater flexibilities for employees to be placed at their installations and still retain their grade or pay," said Brig. Gen. David Harris, 96th Test Wing commander. "In addition, the use of RIF procedures allows for eligible employees who cannot immediately be placed in local vacancies to be registered in the Priority Placement Program."

The processes available use reduction in force procedures to determine employee placement rights into vacancies as well as provide the flexibility to waive qualifications to create more placement options.