Officials seek nonappropriated employees for career broadening opportunities

  • Published
  • By Capt. Carrie L. Kessler
  • Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  Nonapproriated funds employees now have the opportunity to expand their careers and sharpen their leadership skills through the NAF Career Broadener Program. Applications for this program are part of the NAF Development Team call released Dec. 1.

This Air Force initiative allows federal employees in categories NF III/IV/V, UA 6-12, NA 09-15, NL 01-15, NS 01-19, and CY 04-05 the chance to pursue management roles outside their primary area of expertise for career enhancement.

"Being able to work in another facet of the operation helps the employee understand the big picture and gives them the skills and experience necessary to potentially assume management positions outside their current NAF position," said Michael Bilicki, the Air Force Services Agency career broadener program coordinator.

During the first call for nominations, four individuals will be selected to participate in the program in the lodging and morale, welfare and recreation areas. The NAF Development Team will make the selections in February.

"It helps force support leaders identify those NAF employees who have potential for increased leadership and management roles," Bilicki said. "These individuals could potentially be selected to fill such roles as needs arise on their installation or around the Air Force."

During the one-year career broadening period, program participants will gain valuable knowledge and skills without losing the progress already gained in their current career.

"If a lodging employee is interested in obtaining skills and knowledge in outdoor recreation management, or any of the other activity management areas, currently they would have to transfer over to that specific area, quite possibly starting at the entry level position and working their way back up," said Bobbie Nugent, an AFSVA human resources specialist. This program allows individuals to crossover and gain the necessary experience while not losing the time they have already invested in their careers.

Similar to the career broadening program for appropriated fund employees, the NAF Career Broadener Program benefits the organization as well.

"This not only makes the employee more valuable by having a greater understanding of overall operations, but also makes the organization stronger by having more qualified and skilled employees ready to assume leadership and management roles as needed," Bilicki said.

During the Development Team call, interested employees need to complete a career-broadening nomination request in the Transition-Civilian Development Plan. The T-CDP is a web-based application that captures the plans and preferences of employees in the Force Development process. Employees who would like to participate must complete an employee profile in the system. T-CDPs are due to the Force Support Career Field Management Office no later than Jan. 13.

"Our hope is that the employee will gain a broader sense of management and operations experience within the NAF force support community along with a greater understanding of what the entire force support squadron does and the essential services it provides to an installation," Nugent said. "Career development and progression to higher level leadership positions is the ultimate goal."

For more information about the Career Broadener Program and NAF development opportunities, contact the AFSVA Human Resources Program Management Branch at HQAFNAFHRO@randolph.af.mil. For more information on NAF employment, visit www.NAFjobs.org or contact the local NAF human resources office.