USDA Departmental ManagementFrequently Asked Questions

Why has Secretary Vilsack created a new Departmental Management area within USDA?

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Secretary Vilsack has charged the USDA staff offices with ensuring that all USDAmission areas are equipped to achieve optimal results in the most efficient and effectivemanner possible. Combining the various operations like procurement, informationtechnology, human resources and finance into a unified USDA management area willeliminate duplicate functions and organizational layering; improve quality of services andcommunications; and streamline processes and improve transparency to customers.Ultimately, effective USDA management means effective results for taxpayers and thepeople USDA serves.

What is the timeline for implementing the new Departmental Management?

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Secretary Vilsack has created the new Departmental Management with his signedmemorandum and organizational chart. This new organization will begin October 1,2009, with most personnel changes effective October 11, the date of the first pay periodof the new fiscal year. Further detailed announcements will be made by staff officeleadership regarding specific changes in some of the offices within DepartmentalManagement.

Will there be a Reduction in Force (RIF) associated with this reorganization?

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No.

Will any employee be asked to move from their commuting area as a result of thisreorganization?

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No.

Will any employee’s job change as a result of this reorganization?

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The majority of employee’s jobs will not change; however in some cases, an employee’s job may require changes, but no one will lose pay or grade.

Will there be an early out/buy out offered?

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We are pursuing Voluntary Early Retirement Authority (VERA) and VoluntarySeparation Incentive Payments (VSIP) from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)to present as many positive options as possible during this transformation.

Staff Organizations

What is the Office of Advocacy and Outreach?

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The new Office of Advocacy and Outreach will ensure that USDA mission areas areserving socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers and small farms and beginningfarmers and ranchers to the fullest extent possible. Created in response to the 2008 FarmBill, this innovative new office will also manage farm-worker coordination, outreach toUSDA Departmental Management – FAQs - 1 -

institutions of higher education, accountability, and USDA-wide outreach and technicalassistance programs.

Why are the Offices of the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Information Officer included inthe new Departmental Management?

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Financial and information technology policy are critical aspects of Secretary Vilsack’svision for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the way the USDA mission areasserve the public. Including both in the new Departmental Management will improvecoordination between the two offices as well as with other mission areas and staff officesin order to allow the Secretary to better implement his priorities.

Why is the Office of Budget and Program Analysis combined with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer?

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Combining the Office of Budget and Program Analysis with the Office of the Chief Financial Officer will create a one-stop shop for all matters related to budget estimates,legislative reports and regulations, financial reporting and auditing. These combinationswill help meet Secretary Vilsack’s vision of streamlined processes that are transparent tocustomers. Further, USDA will join most other federal cabinet level departments inhaving a joint budget development and implementation office.

Why is the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights a part of the new Departmental Management?

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Reversing the tide of civil rights program and employee complaints is a top priority forSecretary Vilsack and unprecedented progress has been made to date in hisadministration. Including the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights in thenew Departmental Management will improve necessary focus and coordination with thenew Office of Advocacy and Outreach and the Office of Human Resource Management.

What is Correspondence Management?

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As the USDA’s Executive Secretariat, Correspondence Management will handle all of the Secretary’s incoming communication and coordinate proper and timely responses toUSDA constituents.

Why is the Office of Security Services and the Office of Homeland Security combining into theOffice of Homeland Security and Emergency Coordination?

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Integrating these two offices will improve the safety and preparedness of USDA staff andthe public. Specifically, it will consolidate essential services related to government-wideemergency policy and assessments, personnel and document security, physical security,emergency programs, continuity of operations, and continuity of government into oneoffice – thereby meeting Secretary Vilsack’s priority of eliminating duplicate functionsand organizational layering.

Why is the Office of Human Capital Management changed to the Office of Human Resource Management?

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As the lead human resources organization within USDA, a first-class Office of HumanResource Management (HRM) is vital to achieving the Secretary’s priority of USDA Departmental Management – FAQs - 2 -