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This page can be found on the web at the following url:
https://www.pmf.gov/agencies/agency-responsibilities

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An Official Web Site of the United States Government

Agencies

Agency Responsibilities

Participating Federal Agency

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Each participating Federal agency plays a critical role in the orientation of PMFs to the Federal Government, the achievement of their career goals, and their retention in the Federal service.

Federal agencies interested in participating in the Pathways Programs (5 CFR 362), including the PMF Program, must enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

Agencies excepted from the competitive service may participate in the PMF Program under a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with OPM and use their own appointment authorities, but must follow the PMF Program's Agency Roles and Responsibilities listed throughout this website, or their equivalent.

A copy of the Pathways Programs regulations, along with other agency resources, can be found under the Agencies\Resources webpage. For a current list of participating Federal agencies and their designated Agency PMF Coordinators, please follow the instructions under the Agencies\List of Coordinators webpage.

Participating agencies agree to:

  • Designate a Pathways Programs Officer (PPO) at the agency's headquarters level who is responsible for administering the agency's Pathways Programs (including the PMF Program).
  • Designate an Agency PMF Coordinator who assists the agency's Pathways Programs Officer in the overall administration and development of the agency program and who serves as the principal contact point between their agency, their PMFs, and for the Program.
  • Work with the Pathways Programs Officer, Agency PMF Coordinator, human resources staff, and hiring officials to plan program budgets and to project the number of PMF hires in the agency (e.g., workforce and succession planning).
  • Submit to the PMF Program Office the reimbursement fee for costs associated with the recruitment, assessment, selection, and placement of Finalists into PMF appointments; PMF Program Office operations and support to stakeholders; various training and developmental opportunities for stakeholders; and, the PMF website and automated systems. Reimbursement is due within 30 days after a Finalist has accepted a tentative PMF appointment offer. See the financial instructions and forms under the Resources page.
  • Conduct an agency onboarding (orientation) on mission and structure as early as possible for all newly hired Fellows.
  • Complete a Pathways PMF Program Participant Agreement between the Fellow, Supervisor, and Human Resources.
  • Assign the Fellow a Mentor.
  • Agencies hiring Fellows in field locations outside the Washington, DC, Metropolitan Area, are encouraged to promote interaction among regional Fellows and permit Fellows to attend FEB-sanctioned activities in that region.
  • Establish policies and criteria for the promotion of Fellows during their PMF fellowships.
  • Certify the Fellow's completion of the Program by the agency's Executive Resources Board (ERB). In agencies without an ERB, the responsibility falls to the senior agency officials who have been given executive resource management and oversight responsibility by the agency head. A certified PMF may only convert to a position with the agency that made the certification. Agencies may not convert certified PMFs from other agencies.
  • May noncompetitively convert Fellows who successfully complete the Program (based on favorable ERB certification) into a full-time, permanent position or term position.

To inquire if your agency has a valid Pathways MOU with OPM, please send an email to pathways@opm.gov.

UPDATED: 08-30-2021