Q: After an organizational change, I was reassigned to another division. The division director asked if I would like to be moved from a 2210 IT specialist series, to a 343 Management Analyst. Can she move me to another position that is outside my current series, even though there are plenty of job openings in my current series?
A: The short answer is yes, the agency may re-assign you to a different series. In general, federal agencies are permitted to re-assign employees from one position to another to promote the efficiency of the federal service. See, 5 C.F.R. § 335.102. The agency should determine that you are qualified for the position to which it wishes to re-assign you or should make adjustments or waive qualifications for the position consistent with OPM requirements should you not meet the qualifications.
Should you refuse the re-assignment, the agency has the right to terminate your employment.
The agency is permitted to canvass employees to see who would like a re-assignment and make re-assignments based on that information. In your situation, since your manager has come to you and asked your preference, you may indicate you prefer not to move to a position in a different series. However, should your manager find no volunteers to fill the slots that need to be filled, the manager may fill it by directed re-assignment.
A good summary of re-assignment procedures can be found here: OPM Reduction in Force.
This response was written by Lisa A. Kleine, associate attorney at Shaw Bransford & Roth P.C., a federal employment law firm.
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