Air Force to hire civilians to manage unit programs

  • Published
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Squadrons with more than 50 military and civilian members could start seeing relief in managing their additional duties as early as this fall, courtesy of 1,200 newly created civilian unit program coordinators positions.

Feedback from the 2008 Airman's Time Assessment revealed Airmen were being pulled away from their primary duty stations to work full time on unit programs such as the Government Travel Card program, safety program, automated data processing equipment accounts and security programs.

"We found that when the commander's support staffs drew down, commanders were left with two options. They could either manage these tactical administrative programs themselves or pull Airmen from the front lines to do it," said Maj. Christopher Busque of Force Support Officer Career Field Management in the Pentagon. "We were concerned that the resulting effect was causing a loss of mission capability."

By hiring 1,200 civilian UPCs the Air Force will effectively put Airmen back into their primary duties, preserving Airmen's time and maximizing administrative efficiency across the Air Force, according to Major Busque.

Announcements of the GS-06, GS-07 and YB-1 job vacancies are projected to hit USAJobs and the Air Force's secure employment site this month, with new hires reporting to work as early as October.

Ideal candidates for the positions should:

· Possess strong administrative or personnel background 

· Ability to manage and organize multiple tasks 

· Be customer oriented 

· Understand personnel tracking. 

"These incoming civilian Airmen are going to be great assets to the squadrons because not only will they help keep our talented, healthy, motivated and well-equipped Airmen working on the primary mission, the unit program coordinators will have the most current knowledge on evolving programs and will provide continuity in a very fluid environment," said Paula Blackwell from the Directorate for Civilian Force Integration at the Air Force Personnel Center.

Ms. Blackwell cautions that UPCs should not be confused with administrative assistants. The primary purpose of the UPC is to manage unit programs and serve as unit liaisons to the military and civilian personnel offices.

Commanders looking to hire for these positions should contact their Force Support Squadron/Mission Support Squadron commander. Individuals interested in applying should search USAJobs or the Air Force's secure employment site for "Unit Program Coordinator, GS-0303, YB-0303" for specific locations.

More information on civilian employment, visit AFPC's public Web site and click on the "Life and Careers" menu.