Archive for August, 2009

It is time again for National Security Personnel System (NSPS) and Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) self-assessments. In what may be the last round for NSPS – at least in its current form – employees in the system should think about the biggest projects, changes, supervisory challenges, and mission accomplishments that have occurred over the past year. Writing these accomplishments down on paper takes concentration and time.

To see how this is done, let’s look at a sample self-assessment, filed by Jeremy Jenkins. Jeremy will write up his last year’s accomplishments with the aim of winning his property accountability and supply management Job Objective.

The entire 2,000 characters he will use will focus on writing about the property book and how he improved the inventory control system despite having no budgeted financial resources for the task. Jeremy overcame obstacles, took initiative and designed an automated system. The new system resulted in a 40 percent reduction in property losses.

Jeremy’s hard work offers a great example of improvement in quality logistics support for the Army Soldier School – an accomplishment that not only makes him look good, but which over time will greatly improve supply readiness and customer services for soldiers.

Strategy – Your strategy for writing accomplishments for each Job Objective is to tell a story. Give one or two examples of the best work you have performed in 2009. Make it easy for your supervisor and pay pool to read by using the “Context-Challenge-Action-Result” (CCAR) model for your accomplishments. Review your Job Objective against the benchmarks for the Contributing Factor – in the case below, Technical Proficiency.

The NSPS Writing Plan – Ask yourself: What have I done this year that helped me meet my mission? Overall, if you write up three to six accomplishments for your entire year, you will be finished with your self-assessment.

The following sample NSPS self-assessment for Performance Appraisal Application V. 3.0 illustrates an example of one Job Objective and one accomplishment that was a major achievement for the year in this objective. It is followed by a CCAR self-assessment.

PART A. Administrative Data

Jeremy Jenkins
YC-2003-1
Supervisory Supply Specialist
Army Soldier School

PART D – Relevant Organizational Mission/Strategic Goals

Deliver responsive, quality logistics support to the Army Soldier School, ensuring training supply readiness, staff development, and quality customer service.

PART G – Job Objectives, Contributing Factors, Assessments

• Job Objective: Property Accountability/Supply Management

S (Specific): Property book is updated; supplies are available to meet mission requirements.
M (Measurable): Army Soldier School Book, turn-in, property receipt and issuances, supervision of Army Soldier School ADP and unit supply is accurate and updated on a daily basis. Appropriate entries into automated system are made consistent with policy. Hand receipts are monitored and tracked accurately with 95 percent accuracy. Provide timely accurate information, advice, and guidance to customers regarding property transactions, investigations, and transfers; responses to customers are made within 24 hours.
A (Aligned): Ensures supply readiness.
R (Realistic/Relevant): N/A
T (Timed): Maintaining customer satisfaction, and customer’s mission accomplishment is met 95 percent of the time.

Character count: 919
Contributing factor: Technical Proficiency

• Job Objective: Property Accountability/Supply Management

CCAR Self-Assessment

Context: As the Manager of the Army Soldier School Academy Property Book, I recognized the need for an improved inventory control system from the current hand receipt transactions and took the lead to collaborate with the IT services department to create an online request for property, turn-in, property receipt, and issue (performed advanced tasks). I interviewed my colleagues to determine their needs; I also researched other agencies that had on-line systems to identify best practices.

Challenge: With no financial resources budgeted (overcame obstacles), I took initiative by collaborating with internal experts and used my creativity in identifying other sources that could be of assistance to design the request forms and post an automated, shared document to improve accountability and inventory control.

Action: Using what I learned from my research, I worked closely with IT to ensure the system developed met user needs. I implemented procedures to ensure a smooth and seamless transition of all hand receipt transactions into the automated system. I also suggested that IT conduct a pilot test of the system to ensure it met expectations. Finally, I developed and presented training and assistance to customers on new system and reminded customers on the procedures for property transactions, investigations, and transfers. On an ongoing daily basis, I ensure that the PBUSE system is current and correct.

Results: I exceeded expectations. More than 500 inventory requests, more than 98 percent, are received annually that are now documented in an automated system with improved inventory control, accountability, and life-cycle planning for senior decision-makers. I have received very positive feedback on the new system and lost property has been reduced by 40 percent.

Character count: 1,762

This job objective and NSPS self-assessment example is published with permission from the co-author and publisher, “Writing Your NSPS Self-Assessment,” 2nd Ed., Kathryn Troutman and The Resume Place, Inc. Get help with best NSPS keywords and a free NSPS NSPS Accomplishment Builder.

More sample NSPS Self-Assessments and Job Objectives in the 2nd edition of Writing Your NSPS Self-Assessment by K. Troutman and N. Segal.

Find your Performance Indicator keywords at the Resume Place’s NSPS Keyword Tree!