‘Babauta hired 3 new employees each week’

The Babauta administration hired at least three new government employees each week during its four-year term, according to the Office of Personnel Management.

OPM records showed that a total of 640 limited term appointments were made while former Gov. Juan N. Babauta was in office. During this period, an austerity measure was in effect, providing that all new hires be placed on limited term appointments and banning the conversion of limited term appointments to permanent status.

Each of these appointments is being reviewed for possible conversion to permanent civil service status pursuant to Directive 245. Babauta issued the directive six weeks before he left office.

In an interview, acting OPM director Mathilda Rosario said that OPM had so far received only 260 requests for conversion from different departments and agencies. Of these, only 24 limited term appointments have been processed and approved. The rest are still under review.

“We’re moving slowly because we want to make sure that all the eligibility criteria are met before we approve any conversion,” Rosario told the Saipan Tribune.

She urged department and activity heads to initiate requests for personnel action to process the conversion of eligible employees in accordance with Babauta’s directive.

Those eligible for conversion are locally funded employees who have completed 52 consecutive weeks of satisfactory work performance.

According to Rosario, only limited term appointees who were competitively selected are entitled to conversion.

Babauta’s directive does not authorize conversion of Excepted Service employees or employees who are totally or partially paid using federal funds.

“The employment of limited term appointees that are not entitled to conversion will end on the specified end-date of the appointment and will not be automatically reviewed,” she said.

Rosario suggested that concerned employees be informed of their contract expiration 30-60 days in advance.

If there is a continued need for the position, it must be advertised and filled competitively following the publishing of an examination/vacancy announcement by OPM, she added.

“I will not approve temporary employment for these positions. Begin processing the necessary [requests] for vacancy announcement/recruitment at least 60-90 days in advance to insure that your employee needs are filled in a timely manner,” Rosario said.