Temp to Hire for GS Employees
The agency I work for (as a contractor) has responded to the trend to bring many contractors back in house by creating positions and encouraging contractors who have filled that role (or similar ones) to apply. The result has been that these positions do tend to be filled by former contractors because they come with a proven track record in doing exactly that job. Why can't we institutionalize this process through use ...more »
The agency I work for (as a contractor) has responded to the trend to bring many contractors back in house by creating positions and encouraging contractors who have filled that role (or similar ones) to apply. The result has been that these positions do tend to be filled by former contractors because they come with a proven track record in doing exactly that job. Why can't we institutionalize this process through use of the temp-to-hire model used extensively in the private sector? When a GS position needs to be filled, contract with a third party to fill the job opening with the understanding that after a period of time, that individual will be hired directly by the government. The third party can screen to the government's requirements and take the workload off the government. Having a person do the job on a temporary basis gives you the best information on that person's ability to do the job and fit within the department or team. You won't get that information from KSAs, interviews, and references. If they aren't working out, you can find someone new. Plus, the effort of finding candidates for tough-to-fill positions is outsourced to a third party that has incentives to find the right people for the job. You could even have an agreement with several companies so that there's competition among them to find the best candidate for the job. In the end, only those that prove themselves capable make it on government payroll, so you don't go through all the trouble an expense of hiring someone with performance issues. This could also provide a mechanism for employees to be shifted between government departments based on staffing needs. If there are cutbacks in one area, the employee could try a job elsewhere on a provisional basis and then formalize the transfer if the fit is right.
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