BLM California Workforce Planning

June 20, 2013

In Reply Refer To:
1400 (CA-945) P

EMS TRANSMISSION: 6/20/13
Information Bulletin No. CA-2013-010

To:             All California Employees

From:        State Director

Subject:     BLM California Workforce Planning

This memo is to update you on the progress made by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) California State Leadership Team (SLT) in the development of our Workforce Plan (WFP).  The Plan is a conceptual management tool that, over time, will allow us to align our organizational structure with both anticipated overall budget decreases and future funded work, all under the umbrella of our BLM California Strategic Framework.  The WFP is a work in progress that will be reviewed and amended annually (or more often as needed) to achieve maximum efficiency and benefit to employees, the BLM, and the public that we serve.

The WFP outlines strategies to restructure or realign positions to achieve maximum effectiveness and efficiencies, protect core competencies, and optimize work capacity that will allow BLM California to sustain and achieve mission critical priorities.  BLM employees are being given the highest consideration throughout the development and implementation of the WFP.  Where restructuring or realignment occurs within the organization, we will look for opportunities to provide career growth and development, and most importantly, no one will lose employment as a result of this effort.  As the WFP is implemented, employees will be involved through appropriate processes whenever organizational/program staff and structure changes are proposed.

In my January 31, 2013, Information Bulletin, I shared with you that the Office of Management and Budget, in anticipation of budget reductions, directed the Department of the Interior and each Interior bureau to provide a workforce plan that would show how we could achieve a 7 percent reduction per year in direct Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs).  SLT members, working with District and State Office leadership teams, conducted a workforce planning analysis for fiscal years 2013-2015, and took a strategic look at what and where work will be in 2015.  

I am proud of the flexibility, adaptability and resiliency shown by BLM California employees.  Your commitment to caring for the land and resources is unmatched in any other organization, and I thank you for all the work that you do.  I cannot overly emphasize how critically important our work is to the Bureau and the Nation.  Because of our commitment to staying ahead of the curve in an employee friendly way, we have a tremendous opportunity to absorb fiscal changes and create our own destiny.  I invite all of you to join me as we set out on this challenging journey.  

Signed by:                                    
Angie Lara                                    
Associate State Director                                          

Authenticated by:
Richard A. Erickson
Records Management