ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVILIAN HIRING FREEZE EXEMPTION REQUEST PROCESS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
Date Signed: 2/10/2017 | MARADMINS Number: 075/17
MARADMINS : 075/17
101640Z FEB 17
MARADMIN 075/17
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CIVILIAN HIRING FREEZE EXEMPTION REQUEST PROCESS WITHIN THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS//
REF/A/PRESIDENTIAL MEMO/23 JAN 16//
REF/B/DOD MEMO/01 FEB 17//
NARR/REF A IS PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM IMPLEMENTING FEDERAL HIRING FREEZE. REF B IS DOD GUIDANCE FOR HOW TO IMPLEMENT THE HIRING FREEZE WITHIN DOD.//
POC/MYLECHIA SMALLS/MPC/TEL: (703)784-9560/EMAIL: MYLECHIA.SMALLS (AT)USMC.MIL//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  Per the references, this MARADMIN provides policy and guidance implementing the 2017 presidentially mandated civilian hiring freeze within the Marine Corps.  This policy is applicable to Marine Corps civilian employees paid from Appropriated Funds (APF) and Non-Appropriated funds (NAF).  Copies of all references can be found at https:(slash slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/civilianmarine.
2.  Background.  Per reference (a) all civilian hiring within the Federal Government has been halted, except for those hiring actions approved as exemptions detailed below.  Reference (b) provides amplifying guidance to the Department of Defense for how to manage hiring in support of mission-critical operations during the civilian hiring freeze.  This MARADMIN clarifies the application of this guidance and provides the process for submitting actions and requests for personnel actions as exemptions during the period of the hiring freeze.
3.  Roles and Responsibilities.
        a.  Per reference (b), the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) is the final approval authority for granting exemptions.
        b.  The Deputy Commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs (DC (M&RA)) is responsible for determining that all exemption requests and personnel actions meet the high standards necessary for processing.
        c.  Commanders and Heads of Staff Agencies are responsible for adhering to the intent of the policy established within the references and for controlling application of the guidance and processes established within this MARADMIN.
        d.  Civilian Workforce Management Branch (MPC), Director Civilian Human Resources (DCHR), shall coordinate all processing actions and requests for exemptions.
4.  Requests for Exemption.
        a.  All requests for exemption must be submitted to SECNAV for final approval via the DC (M&RA).  Requests for exemption must be submitted utilizing the USMC 2017 Civilian Hiring Freeze Exemption Request Form located at https:(slash slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/civilianmarine/.  All request forms and additional documentation supporting the request for position shall be emailed to the DCHR mailbox (HR_COI@usmc.mil) for processing.  All requests for NAF positions shall first be emailed to the NAF DCHR mailbox (HQNAF.mrg@usmc-mccs.org) for coordination.  Each request must:
                (1)  Identify the applicable category from Section A or C of reference (b), for which the request is being submitted.  If a category reflecting the exemption is not defined in Section A or C, select Section B from the dropdown on the request form.
                (2)  Describe how the functions of the position are necessary to meet the Department's national security or public safety responsibilities.
                (3)  Identify the compelling circumstances that justify the granting of an exemption.
                (4)  Document the alternatives considered in assessing how the national security or public safety responsibilities associated with the position would be performed if the exemption were not granted.
                (5)  Certify that other personnel cannot be reallocated to perform the national security or public safety responsibilities of the position.
        b.  For exemptions required by law, the request package shall include decisional/substantiating documentation.
        c.  All requests must be signed by the Commanding Officer (or equivalent) submitting the request.
5.  AUTHORIZED EXEMPTIONS.
        a.  Sections D and E of reference (b) identify actions that may be taken without the requirement to request an exemption.  Those actions identified in Section E require advance coordination with the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel & Readiness) before processing continues.  Commands may submit Requests for Personnel Actions (RPA) for positions falling into one of these listed categories.  Each RPA shall contain the following within the notes section of the RPA:
                (1)  Identification of the exemption category that applies to the action.
                (2)  For actions based on Section E criteria, provide written justification for submission, sufficient to support the required advanced coordination requirement.
        b.  All RPAs shall be routed to the DCHR Defense Civilian Personnel Data System (DCPDS) group box (NV_A_K4_NV27_DCHR) for processing.  Any action routed directly to the San Diego Operations Center will be returned immediately without action.
        c.  Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) personnel actions shall be routed through the NAF DCHR.  The NAF DCHR will then coordinate processing with MPC.
6.  Questions regarding the civilian hiring freeze can be addressed to the USMC DCHR, Ms. Mylechia Smalls, at 703-784-9560, or sent to HR_COI@usmc.mil.
7.  Release authorized by SES M. R. Strobl, Director, Manpower Plans and Policy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs, Acting.//