ACN 085/19 - AUG 2019 PROMULGATION OF COAST GUARD MERIT PROMOTION PLAN

united states coast guard

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE CANCEL DATE 07 AUG 2020


R 081206 AUG 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N12335//
ACN 085/19
SUBJ: PROMULGATION OF COAST GUARD MERIT PROMOTION PLAN
A. Coast Guard Merit Promotion Plan, COMDTINST 12335.4B
B. Merit Promotion Program and National Merit Promotion Plan, COMDTINST 12335.4A
1. This ACN announces the promulgation of REF (A). REF (B) is hereby cancelled.
REF (A) is the CG policy that allows a current or former federal employee to apply for
a position without having to compete with the general public or individuals with Veterans'
Preference. Instead, individuals compete with other competitive service employees (i.e.
individuals who have applied, were selected and worked in a position open to all U.S.
citizens and Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) eligibles).
2. The revised Commandant Instruction provides information about identifying, qualifying,
and selecting candidates based upon merit system principles and job related criteria.
The policy also describes management responsibilities when hiring a candidate and
employee responsibilities when applying for a position under merit promotion procedures.
3. REF (A), updates and clarifies the information contained in the earlier version REF (B).
The guidance applies to appropriated funded General Schedule (GS) employees at grades GS-15
and below and Federal Wage System (FWS) positions in the competitive service. It does not
apply to personnel actions in the excepted service (i.e., lamplighters, Academy faculty) or
Senior Executive Service, non-appropriated funded, or Administrative Law Judges.
4. The changes incorporate recent updates to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Merit
Promotion policy, the business process review conducted for the Civilian Human Resources,
Diversity, and Leadership Directorate (CG-12) and established processes to improve CG
time-to-hire.
5. The major updates in the Commandant instruction include the following:
    a. Revises the minimum area of consideration in accordance with DHS policy. The minimum
area of consideration is Coast Guard employees working within the local commuting area or as
specified in an applicable collective bargaining agreement.
    b. Outlines the number of grade levels a manager may advertise for a vacant position in
accordance with DHS policy. Each merit promotion job opportunity announcement (JOA) can
solicit applications for up to three grade levels (e.g. GS-05, GS-07 and GS-09).
c    . Clarifies records maintenance requirements for interview notes and e-mail related to
selections. Records must be maintained by the supervisor for three years or longer if the
case is under appeal or under a third party review.
    d. Provides a recusal requirements section, which restricts employees, HR advisors,
supervisors, panel members, and military members from participating in any part of the
position approval or recruitment process if they or a relative intend to apply for a vacant
position.
    e. Outlines the referral certificate extension period. Referral certificates are issued
for a period of 30 calendar days. A 15-day extension request may be granted by the servicing
Human Resources Specialist for a total of 45 days.
    f. Provides guidance, in accordance with DHS policy, on readvertisement of the same
position in the event a certificate is unused or a candidate declines a position.
6. Supervisors, employees, and military members are encouraged to review the revised
instruction and references.
7. Questions and comments regarding changes and updates made to the Coast Guard Merit
Promotion Plan should be referred to the servicing Center Human Resources Specialist or the
servicing Field Human Resources Specialist at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-CG-1/
Civilian-Human-Resources-Diversity-and-Leadership-Directorate-CG-12/Civilian-HR/Contact-CG-121/.
8. Released by Ms. Michelle Godfrey, Director of Civilian Human Resources, Diversity and
Leadership.
9. Internet release is authorized.