Effective July 23, 2015, the Postal Service™ is revising Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, section 743.52, to update the policy for review committees as follows:
n The text formerly under 743.52 is now renumbered 743.521 with a new section title of General and contains minor editorial changes.
n 743.522 is renumbered (formerly 743.521) and contains minor editorial changes.
n 743.523 is renumbered (formerly 743.522) and changed to state that level is defined as the grade of the position the employee currently holds, not saved grade.
n 743.524 is renumbered (formerly 743.523) and changed to state that only the area vice president may approve exceptions, and minor editorial changes were made for reader ease of use.
n 743.525 is renumbered (formerly 743.524).
n 743.526 is renumbered (formerly 743.525).
* * * * *
Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement
* * * * *
7 Assignment, Reassignment, and Promotion
* * * * *
74 EAS Positions
* * * * *
743 Selection Process
* * * * *
743.52 Review Committee
[Add new heading 743.521. Move the text from 743.52 to new 743.521 and revise it to read as follows:]
743.521 General
When 11 or more applications are received, a review committee of at least 3 members must assess eligible applicants (see 743.523 and 743.524 for review committee membership and restrictions). If there are fewer than 11 applications, the selecting official may designate a review committee to assess eligible applicants
[Renumber current 743.521 as new 743.522 and revise the text to read as follows:]
743.522 Function
The major functions of the review committee are to:
a. Assist the selecting official in assessing the applicants; and
b. Recommend candidates who best meet the qualifications of the vacant position.
[Renumber current 743.522 as new 743.523 and revise the text to read as follows:]
743.523 Management Level of Members
Review committee members must be nonbargaining employees at a level equal to or higher than that of the vacant position. For review committee membership, level is defined as the grade of the position the employee currently holds, not a saved grade, or a part-time or temporary level resulting from a temporary assignment (detail) or ad hoc assignment.
[Renumber current 743.523 as new 743.524 and revise the text to read as follows:]
743.524 Restrictions on Membership
Restrictions on setting up a review committee include the following:
a. Neither the supervisor of the position to be filled nor any manager exercising authority over the supervisor, up to and including the selecting official, may serve on the review committee or participate in its deliberations.
b. Only the area vice president may approve exceptions to review committee membership. The reason(s) for the exception must be fully documented and placed in the vacancy file.
c. Review committee members are prohibited from participating in the consideration or recommendation of a relative (as defined in Chapter 5.) Each member is responsible for notifying the committee chairperson of the relationship. A member with such a relationship must be excused and replaced immediately.
d. Each member must be certified on the following:
1. Nonbargaining Selection Methods training, course 10022345.
2. Essentials of Interviewing and Hiring: Behavioral Interview Techniques, course 3623586 (see 743.41).
[Renumber current 743.524 as new 743.525.]
743.525 Duties
[Renumber current 743.525 as new 743.526.]
743.526 Procedures
* * * * ** * * * *
We will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of Handbook EL-312, Employment and Placement, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n Under “Essential Links” in the left-hand column, click PolicyNet.
n Click HBKs.
The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.
— Human Resources (HQ),
Employee Resource Management, 7-23-15
