[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 237 (Wednesday, December 10, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68963-68967]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-30546]


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SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION


Statement of Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority

    This statement amends Part S and T of the Statement of the 
Organization, Functions and Delegations of Authority that covers the 
Social Security Administration (SSA). This notice establishes a new 
Human Capital Planning Staff at the Deputy Commissioner for Human 
Resources level. It deletes language from the Office of Workforce 
Analysis in the Office of the Chief Strategic Officer and adds that 
language to the Federal Register material for the Human Capital 
Planning Staff. It establishes the Executive and Special Services Staff 
as a separate Deputy Commissioner for Human Resources' organization. It 
also retitles and redescribes the functions of two Staffs in the Office 
of Personnel, i.e., the Project Management Staff (S7BH) and the 
Personnel Management Information Systems and Payroll Staff (S7BJ). It 
revises the Federal Register language for the Center for Personnel 
Policy and Staffing and, in addition, it establishes the Center for 
Employee Benefits in the Office of Personnel. It creates three centers 
in the Office of Training and three centers in the Office of Civil 
Rights and Equal Opportunity. It also

[[Page 68964]]

amends the Office of the Strategic Officer subchapter to add the SAC 
Code ``TJ'' and to delete a function from that subchapter. The new 
material and changes are as follows:

Chapter S7

Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources

Section S7.00 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources--
(Mission):

    Add after the colon and before the words ``personnel management'', 
``human capital and planning initiatives''.
    Add the word ``and'' between the words ``opportunity'' and 
``training''.
Section S7.10 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources--
(Organization):

    The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources, under the 
leadership of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources, includes:
    Reletter:
    D. to F.
    E. to G.
    F. to H.
    G. to I.
    Establish:
    D. The Human Capital Planning Staff (S7J).
    E. The Executive and Special Services Staff ( S7K).
Section S7.20 The Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources--
(Functions):

    Delete: From C, the Immediate Office of the Deputy Commissioner, 
paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5.
    Reletter:
    D. to F.
    E. to G.
    F. to H.
    G. to I.
    Add:
    D. The Human Capital Planning Staff (S7J) provides leadership 
within DCHR and for the Agency in broad human resources policy areas 
related to workforce planning and management. The Staff ensures that 
the Agency's human resources policies and practices are aligned to 
support the accomplishment of the Agency's mission, vision, goals and 
strategies; improve hiring and retention strategies to ensure a 
workforce consistent with the Agency's needs; and create a continuous 
learning and performance culture that results in a highly productive 
workforce. The Human Capital Planning Staff provides direction and 
oversight to the development and integration of the Agency's human 
resources automated systems and advises the DCHR on matters pertaining 
to Government-wide automated human resources systems. The Staff 
continually monitors, analyzes and interprets workforce forecasting 
data and projects future workforce needs including the types of skills 
and positions needed. It also develops and implements Agency-wide 
initiatives, such as competitive sourcing, in support of the effective 
use of human capital.
    E. The Executive and Special Services Staff (S7K) develops and 
implements all SSA policies and activities relating to the Agency's 
executive level personnel management program. Recruits for and places 
individuals in positions in the Senior Executive Service (SES) in 
accordance with OPM regulations. Provides staff support to the 
Executive Resources Board in administering a systematic program to 
manage SSA's executive and professional resources and ensuring the 
appropriate selection of candidates to participate in official 
executive development programs. Provides staff support to the 
Performance Review Board in reviewing performance plans and subsequent 
appraisals of career and non-career executives in SES and employees in 
equivalent level positions.
    F. Office of Personnel. Delete from the sentence that reads: ``The 
Office manages personnel programs in the following areas:'' the ``and'' 
after ``employee recognition'' and before ``health services''.
    Add to that sentence: ``employee benefits including health and 
retirement.''
    Add as the last sentence in F:
    ``The office also develops and implements an SSA-wide program of 
Personnel Security and Suitability for employees and contractors and 
administers the SSA Drug Free Workplace program. It directs the 
development and operation of SSA's Workers' Compensation program, 
including SSA's Workers' Compensation Return to Work, Controversion and 
Investigations programs.''

Subchapter S7B

The Office of Personnel

Section S7B.00 The Office of Personnel--(Mission):
    Add, after the first sentence, ``It administers and provides 
counseling for retirement, health and other employee benefits 
programs.''
    Add, beginning as the third sentence:
    ``The Office of Personnel also develops and implements an SSA-wide 
program of Personnel Security and Suitability for employees and 
contractors and administers the SSA Drug Free Workplace program. It 
directs the development and operation of SSA's Workers' Compensation 
program, including SSA's Workers' Compensation Return to Work, 
Controversion and Investigations programs.''
Section S7B.10 The Office of Personnel--(Organization):

    The Office of Personnel under the Associate Commissioner, Office of 
Personnel, includes:
    Reletter:
    D. to E.
    E. to F.
    F. to G.
    G. to H.
    H. to I.
    Establish:
    D. The Center for Employee Benefits (S7BL).
    Retitle E: The Project Management Staff (S7BH) to the Center for 
Personnel Security and Project Management (S7BH).
    Retitle F: The Personnel Management Information Systems and Payroll 
Staff (S7BJ) to the Center for Personnel Management Information Systems 
and Payroll (S7BJ).
Section S7B.20 The Office of Personnel--(Functions):
    Reletter:
    D. to E.
    E. to F.
    F. to G.
    G. to H.
    H. to I.
    Add:
    D. The Center for Employee Benefits (S7BL) directs the Social 
Security Administration's Retirement and Health Benefits programs. The 
Center develops the agency's policy on these programs and provides 
interpretation and guidance to SSA's managers nation-wide. Expertise is 
provided to managers and employees on all Federal Benefit's Programs, 
including the Civil Service and Federal Employees' Retirement Systems, 
Thrift Savings Plan, Federal Employees' Health Benefit Plans, Federal 
Employees' Group Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts and Long 
Term Care.
    Retitle E, the Project Management Staff (S7BH) to the Center for 
Personnel Security and Project Management (S7BH).
    Replace E in its entirety as follows:
    1. Develops and implements an SSA-wide program of Personnel 
Security and Suitability for employees and contractors. Develops and 
implements SSA's National Security Program.
    2. Directs the development and operation of SSA's Workers'

[[Page 68965]]

Compensation program. Provides assistance to employees regarding claims 
for lost wages, settlement awards, notices of injury and required 
medical reports.
    3. Provides assistance to employees regarding claims for lost 
wages, settlement awards, notices of injury and required medical 
reports.
    4. Directs the development and operation of SSA's Workers' 
Compensation Return to Work, Controversion and Investigations programs.
    5. Designs national policies for the SSA Drug Free Workplace 
program. Develops, implements and manages the day-to-day operation of 
SSA's drug testing program.
    6. Conducts administrative surveys, special studies and projects of 
SSA-wide significance.
    Retitle F, the Personnel Management Information Systems and Payroll 
Staff (S7BJ), to the Center for Personnel Management Information 
Systems and Payroll (S7BJ).
    Delete from F, paragraph 1, in the first sentence, the 
words ``record keeping''.
    Delete the remainder of F, after paragraph 2, in its 
entirety. Add the following:
    3. Designs business applications and administrative systems in the 
personnel arena, including workload management, action tracking and 
other management support systems. Manages the entire applications 
development process, including assessing user needs, developing system 
pilots, designing systems, testing systems, administering databases, 
training users, and evaluating overall system performance.
    4. Evaluates, tests, installs and maintains agency applications 
software within the networking environment for compatibility with 
existing software, hardware and networks and serves as point of contact 
for equipment, software and operational problems and needs within OPE. 
Ensures the integrity of the LAN, as well as the completion of LAN 
operations.
    5. Develops and provides guidance to SSA's managers, timekeepers 
and employees on the payroll and time and attendance processes 
throughout SSA. Is the first point of contact in headquarters on pay 
and leave issues. Manages the bi-weekly collection and processing of 
time and attendance data for all SSA employees.
    6. Coordinates with the National Business Center in Denver, SSA's 
payroll provider, on all payroll-related operational, budget and 
developmental matters.
    7. Conducts research on HR modernization, providing recommendations 
for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of various personnel 
functions and programs through automation. Performs continuing review 
of HR technology to bring best practices to personnel operations in 
SSA.
    8. Represents the Agency on interagency workgroups to resolve 
crosscutting HR automation issues. Serves as liaison with OPM, SSA's 
payroll provider, and other Federal agencies and monitoring 
authorities.
    9. Directs the design and development of and manages day-to-day 
operations in support of the Personnel intranet site at the agency 
level.
    Add to H, the Center for Personnel Policy and Staffing (S7BE), 
paragraph 1, second sentence: ``pay and'' compensation.
    Delete from the second sentence of paragraph 1: 
``appraisals and performance standards''.
    Add to the second sentence of paragraph 1 after the word 
``staffing'' and before the words ``personnel information'': 
``employment and performance management and awards''.
    Delete ``management communications'' from the second sentence of 
paragraph 1 after the words ``disclosure and * * *.'' Replace 
``management communications'' with ``personnel delegations''.
    Delete the first sentence from paragraph 2: ``Directs the 
development and operation of SSA performance and employee awards 
programs.''
    Delete from the first sentence of paragraph 3: ``implement 
policies and regulations''.
    Add to the first sentence of paragraph 3: Develops 
``policies'' and ``implementing guidance''.
    Add the word ``all'' to the second sentence of paragraph 3 
after the word ``processes'' and before the word ``personnel actions''.
    Delete paragraph 6 in its entirety. Replace paragraph 
6 with the following: ``Establishes and maintains the Official 
Personnel Folders for SSA headquarters employees.''

Subchapter S7E

The Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity

Section S7E.10 The Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity--
(Organization)

    Retitle to read as follows: ``The Office of Civil Rights and Equal 
Opportunity, under the leadership of the Associate Commissioner, Office 
of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity'', includes:
    Retitle A., from ``The Director, Office of Civil Rights and Equal 
Opportunity (S7E)'' to ``The Associate Commissioner, Office of Civil 
Rights and Equal Opportunity (S7E).''
    Retitle B., from `` The Immediate Office of the Director, Office of 
Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (S7E)'' to `` The Deputy Associate 
Commissioner, Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (S7E).''
    Add:
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner, Office of 
Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (S7E).
    D. The Center for Cultural Diversity (S7EC).
    E. The Center for Complaints Processing (S7EE).
    F. The Center for Disability Services (S7EG).
Section S7E.20 The Office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity--
(Functions)

    Replace in its entirety as follows:
    A. The Associate Commissioner, Office of Civil Rights and Equal 
Opportunity (S7E) is directly responsible to the Deputy Commissioner, 
Human Resources for carrying out OCREO's mission and for providing 
general supervision to the major components of OCREO.
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Civil Rights and 
Equal Opportunity (S7E) assists the Associate Commissioner in carrying 
out his/her responsibilities and performs other duties as the Associate 
Commissioner prescribes.
    C. The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner, Office of 
Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity (S7E) provides the Associate 
Commissioner and Deputy Associate Commissioner with staff assistance on 
the full range of their responsibilities.
    D. The Center for Cultural Diversity (S7EC).
    1. Provides leadership, direction and guidance to the headquarters 
and field organizations in the formulating and implementing of SSA 
policies, regulations and procedures pertaining to the development of 
sound affirmative employment and equal opportunity programs. Approves, 
on behalf of the Associate Commissioner, Office of Civil Rights and 
Equal Opportunity, affirmative employment program plans prepared by 
components and regions. Develops the overall SSA affirmative employment 
program plan.
    2. Develops guidelines and procedures for effective OCREO program 
planning and monitoring throughout SSA. Develops recommendations on 
affirmative

[[Page 68966]]

employment policy and operations for the Associate Commissioner for 
Civil Rights and Equal Opportunity.
    3. Conducts and coordinates studies or analyses of SSA's human 
resources and operating policies and procedures to assess their EO 
impact.
    4. Develops and tracks SSA's major initiatives that relate to EO 
and oversees their implementation.
    5. Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates special recruitment 
plans, programs and projects for targeted equal opportunity groups.
    6. Provides office automation support.
    7. Administers the Federal Women's Program, Asian Pacific American 
Program, Hispanic Employment Program, Minority Concerns Program, and 
the American Indian and Alaska Native Program.
    8. Provides central operational responsibility for EO functions and 
programs.
    9. Administers the oversight of the EEO Advisory Groups.
    E. The Center for Complaints Processing (S7EE)
    1. Directs implementation and evaluation of the SSA Equal 
Employment Opportunity (EO) Discrimination Complaints Program and 
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program for both Headquarters and 
the field. Provides advice, guidance and assistance to SSA officials 
concerning the discrimination complaints process and related management 
matters.
    2. Provides leadership, guidance and direction in implementing SSA 
policies, regulations and procedures pertaining to the timely, 
accurate, fair and impartial processing of discrimination complaints 
throughout the Headquarters and field organizations. Formulates SSA 
policies, regulations and procedures pertaining to the EO 
discrimination complaints process and ADR process.
    3. Provides overall direction regarding all aspects of SSA's 
discrimination complaints process and ADR process in order to ensure 
uniformity in complaints handling, resolutions and dispositions. 
Directs the preparation of guidelines on all complaints matters.
    4. Receives and conducts inquiries and attempts resolution of 
informal complaints of discrimination. Advises complainants of their 
rights regarding the discrimination complaints process, ADR process and 
other related processes.
    5. Receives and acknowledges formal complaints of discrimination 
and makes a determination whether to accept or dismiss the complaint/
issue(s). Conducts investigations and oversees the process.
    6. Prepares final Agency decisions on complaints of discrimination 
against SSA. Ensures compliance with any corrective or remedial action 
directed by SSA, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or 
any other agency having authority to so direct.
    7. Develops litigation information and documentation for the Office 
of the General Counsel and the United States Attorney's Office in 
employment discrimination court suits filed against SSA. Prepares the 
Agency's briefs for complaints appealed to EEOC. Also, responds to 
interrogatories submitted in class complaints. Analyzes new and recent 
court decisions, public laws and Federal regulations for their impact 
on SSA complaints processing.
    8. Directs special projects and studies of the various aspects of 
SSA's nationwide discrimination complaints process and ADR process to 
evaluate the overall effectiveness of the EO program. Directs the 
analysis of trends observed during projects and studies and implements 
new procedures as required.
    9. Provides the authoritative interpretations on legal, regulatory 
and technical information regarding discrimination complaints to SSA 
management nationwide.
    10. Reviews non-SSA EO issuances, EEOC and court decisions for 
applicability to SSA policy statements. Develops instructions and 
guidelines to transmit or implement EO policy decisions in SSA.
    F. The Center for Disability Services (S7EG)
    1. Provides program direction and guidance on a variety of issues 
pertaining to reasonable accommodation for employees with disabilities.
    2. Evaluates and interprets policies and procedures and develops 
and recommends a range of alternatives for the solution of policy 
issues.
    3. Directs and implements an SSA-wide program for providing 
readers, sign language interpreters, personal assistants, specialized 
equipment, assistive devices and selective placement.
    4. Provides advice and assistance to all SSA components on agency-
wide goals and objectives regarding the equal employment of people with 
disabilities throughout SSA.
    5. Plans, conducts and coordinates multidisciplinary projects to 
resolve EO problems of a broad scope and provides leadership in the 
development of nationwide guidelines and/or policies and procedures 
also having national implications.
    6. Administers the Program for Employees with Disabilities.

Subchapter S7G

Office of Training

Section S7G.10 The Office of Training--(Organization):

    The Office of Training under the leadership of the Associate 
Commissioner, Office of Training (OT), includes:
    Retitle A., from ``The Director, Office of Training (S7G)'' to 
``The Associate Commissioner, Office of Training (S7G).''
    Reletter B to C.
    Retitle C, from ``The Immediate Office of the Director'' to ``The 
Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner, Office of Training.''
    Establish:
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner, Office of Training (S7G).
    D. The Center for Employee and Leadership Development (S7GK).
    E. The Center for Curricula Development and Delivery (S7GL).
    F. The Center for Training Technology (S7GM).
Section S7G.20 The Office of Training--(Functions):

    A. The Associate Commissioner, Office of Training (S7G) is directly 
responsible to the Deputy Commissioner, Human Resources for carrying 
out OT's mission and for providing general supervision to the major 
component's of OT.
    B. The Deputy Associate Commissioner, OT (S7G) assists the 
Associate Commissioner in carrying out his/her responsibilities and 
performs other duties as the Associate Commissioner may prescribe.
    C. Replace in its entirety:
    The Immediate Office of the Associate Commissioner, Office of 
Training (S7G) provides the Associate Commissioner with staff 
assistance on the full range of his/her responsibilities. It provides 
the Associate Commissioner with administrative and technical staff 
assistance. The Associate Commissioner's immediate administrative and 
technical staff plan, direct, coordinate and administer the activities 
relative to planning and executing budget activities. The staff 
interprets OPM training policies and formulate SSA training policy and 
procedures; maintains the Administration Instructions Manual System 
related to training policy; acts as OT Liaison with the Office of 
Personnel on such personnel matters as classification, position 
management, staffing, recruitment, performance management, and awards; 
and provides

[[Page 68967]]

overall support and coordination to the training function. Coordinate 
travel, training and conference attendance for office staff.
    D. Add:
    The Center for Employee and Leadership Development (S7GK).
    1. Manages SSA's national career and leadership development 
programs from the highest executive levels of SSA managers (SES) to 
programs for non-management employees.
    2. Has Agency-wide responsibility for national training curriculum 
to provide general skills training, including related developmental 
activities for non-supervisory personnel.
    3. Directs, designs, develops, implements, conducts and evaluates 
all SSA supervisory, managerial and executive-level training for SSA's 
newly promoted and seasoned managers.
    4. Conducts ongoing research to identify the best approaches to 
training in the areas of management, general, and systems-support 
training and in the area of career development programs. Administers 
contractor support.
    5. Provides office automation support and consultant services for 
all of OT, Deputy Commissioner's office and training classrooms.
    6. Directs, designs, develops and implements training to support 
Agency-wide computer software acquisitions, and administrative 
initiatives.
    E. Add:
    Center for Curricula Development and Delivery (S7GL).
    1. Manages the conversion and provision of training materials in 
various delivery media; ensures accessibility of all training materials 
for employees with disabilities.
    2. Directs the design, development, implementation and evaluation 
of disability related programmatic/technical training to meet the needs 
of SSA direct-service employees and components Agency-wide and the 
Disability Determination Services, including entry-level training. This 
includes support for all Agency-wide Accelerated Electronic Disability 
initiatives.
    3. Directs the design, development, implementation and evaluation 
of Title II Retirement, Survivors and Auxiliary and Medicare related 
programmatic/technical training to meet the needs of SSA direct-service 
employees and components Agency-wide, including entry-level training, 
advanced training programs, and programmatic systems training.
    4. Directs the design, development, implementation and evaluation 
of Title XVI Supplemental Security Income related programmatic/
technical training to meet the needs of SSA direct-service employees 
and components Agency-wide, including entry-level training programs, 
advanced training programs, and programmatic systems training.
    5. Develops guidelines and procedures to determine technical/
programmatic training needs in all areas of responsibility, and reviews 
technical training programs Agency-wide.
    6. Responsible for streamlining procedures for printing and 
delivery of training course materials via E-print.
    7. Initiates independent studies and analyses to anticipate and 
identify new or changing programmatic or other training approaches in a 
dynamic organizational environment, and designs, develops and 
implements programs geared to new training delivery technologies and 
approaches.
    F. Add:
    The Center for Training Technology (S7GM).
    1. Directs, designs, develops and manages SSA's Interactive Video 
Teletraining System for SSA employees and State DDSs.
    2. Conducts ongoing research and evaluation to identify automated 
technologies and training delivery methods (e.g., Interactive Video 
Teletraining, internet and intranet, training to the desktop, etc.) and 
instructional methodologies for application to training throughout SSA.
    3. Monitors and evaluates Agency training and developmental 
activities to ensure desired results and effects through the Training 
Evaluation System.
    4. Manages the evaluation and implementation of new technologies 
and training methods such as the use of distance learning and training 
to the desktop.
    5. Manages special training initiatives such as the SSA Online 
University, knowledge management, E-learning initiatives and training 
administration.
    6. Administers contractor support.
    7. Manages office automation training efforts to provide basic LAN 
user training, electronic course information training for client server 
technology. Manages OT's training web site that includes a wide range 
of topics and materials.

Subchapter T

The Office of the Strategic Officer

    Add the SAC Code ``TJ'' to the subchapter heading, the Mission, 
Organization, and Functions as follows:

Subchapter TJ

The Office of the Strategic Officer

Section TJ.00 The Office of the Chief Strategic Officer--(Mission):

Section TJ.10 The Office of the Chief Strategic Officer--
(Organization):

Section TJ.20 The Office of the Chief Strategic Officer--(Functions):

    Delete from E, The Office of Workforce Analysis, the third sentence 
from the end of the paragraph that reads: ``It develops, analyzes and 
interprets workforce-forecasting data and projects future workforce 
needs, including the types of skills and positions required.''

    Dated: November 26, 2003.
Jo Anne B. Barnhart,
Commissioner of Social Security.
[FR Doc. 03-30546 Filed 12-9-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4191-02-P