VERA/VSIP - Maxwell to gauge interest Published Jan. 6, 2012 WASHINGTON -- The Air Force is offering a second round of voluntary early retirement authority and voluntary separation incentive pay. Locally employees will be surveyed on or after Monday regarding their interest in this initiative. The move is part of the Air Force's continuing effort to meet the Department of Defense requirement to maintain civilian funding at fiscal 2010 levels. "The Air Force recognizes the invaluable contributions of our civilian workforce, but also recognizes the fiscal constraints under which the Department of Defense and the government as a whole are operating," said Maj. Gen. Sharon Dunbar, the director of force management policy. "We are working to balance mission needs while taking care to minimize the effect on our current permanent civilian workforce and their families." The first round of measures was used as a voluntary means to reduce civilian workforce levels, enabling strategic rebalancing efforts. As the Air Force continues its fiscal 2012 civilian workforce restructure, round two will be used to further realign and rebalance the civilian force. Don Comstock, Maxwell civilian personnel officer, said information regarding the survey process and criteria for early separation incentive or early retirement will be disseminated. Base leadership will keep employees apprised as more information becomes available. Local surveys must be returned to the CPS not later than Feb. 3. Applicants approved for this round will need to separate on or before April 30. "We are pursuing all available force management measures, to include civilian hiring controls, where required, with the goal of avoiding involuntary measures for our current permanent workforce," Dunbar said. In August, the Air Force instituted a 90-day hiring freeze lifted as an Air Force-wide control Dec. 16. Hiring controls remain in effect in some areas and vary by major command, depending on current major command strength relative to approved funding levels. Of the positions already identified for elimination, many were vacant, and the freeze created additional vacancies. By lifting the Air Force-wide freeze, major command managers and hiring officials will be able to hire personnel into remaining vacant positions. For information on these voluntary measures, contact Vida Couch at 953-7312 or Caroline Boswell at 953-2206. For information about civilian employment, voluntary separation programs and other personnel issues, visit the secure Air Force Personnel Service website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. Article courtesy of Air Force News Service and Air University Public Affairs