Air Force District of Washington NSPS to GS Transition Working Group adresses conversion concerns Published Aug. 20, 2010 By Aletha Frost AFDW Public Affairs Air Force District of Washington -- The Air Force District of Washington Transition Working Group held their second meeting August. 10, 2010, to respond and review questions that were received from AFDW employees and directors. The transition working group is comprised of one representative from each directorate and is chartered to address concerns with the NSPS to GS conversion. "Our intent with the Transition Working Group is to make sure everyone understands the rules we were given and has a fair chance to discuss their concerns," said AFDW Vice Commander Col. Phillip Gibbons. Each directorate and supervisor also has a role in the NSPS to GS conversion process. Their input and review is critical in ensuring that concerns are properly vetted prior to their representative presenting concerns to the TWG. As the TWG continues to work to understand the processes and the main differences in the systems, their goal is to provide transparency into the process and work to resolve employees concerns. "In comparison to the NSPS system, GS is not as flexible when it comes to the classification of personnel descriptions," said Lt. Col. William Brinley, AFDW deputy director for Manpower, Personnel and Services. "Our classifiers must adhere to Office of Personnel Management guidelines and policy when classifying a position." "Rules for classifying GS positions are very rigid, where NSPS was more flexible," he said. For other differences in the two systems visit the DoD Civilian Personnel Management Service website. The group held its third meeting Aug. 19 and responded to the questions that they have received. Employees are encouraged to speak with their directorate's representative to stay abreast of the progress being made. Those representatives are: Col. David C. Post, AFDW/RE (A2, A9, PK and Special Staff) Gerald E. Sohan, AFDW/A3Y Mohamad H. Hassan, AFDW/A7C Vicky Gaston, AFDW/A6C George M. Varga, AFDW/A8D Lt. Col. Wendy S. Carroll, AFDW/JA Aletha Frost AFDW/PA- Observer "At the end of this process, everyone should clearly understand how their job was converted," said Colonel Gibbons. "We owe that to our civilian airmen."