The U.S. Air Force has announced it will implement reduction-in-force authority through April 4 as part of efforts to rebalance its civilian workforce and meet defense funding goals for fiscal 2016.
The move comes after the Air Force identified more than 1,000 “overage” civilian positions across 48 facilities during a command needs review conducted in August last year, the military branch said Wednesday.
“Although we have made great strides, we still have a number of affected employees to place into funded vacancies, and RIF authorities will enable us to achieve that goal,” said Debra Warner, director of civilian force management policy at the Air Force.
The military branch implemented pre-RIF placement, voluntary early retirement and separation incentive pay and hiring control efforts during fiscal 2014 and 2015 to manage civilian labor surpluses.
RIF policy allows Air Force bases to reassign excess civilians or register them in the Defense Department‘s priority placement program for consideration into future employment opportunities.
“We are committed to assisting each individual through this transition,” said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, Air Force deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services.