19 replies to this topic

[Doc Holiday]

All those who think SAC Newell undermined our cross border work in order to get the job he originally wanted, raise your hand. He isnt welcome at HQ and he cried poverty on his house when they tried to transfer him after he cost the Bureau a million dollars in abuse settlements. So what better way to get him outta their hair. Send him to Mexico. Yep, the Vegas bookies odds are on them raising the deputy Attache to a 15 (seriously Mr. Melson, or Billy or whoever) you didnt think we saw you structuring the Attache for an SES. Did you really need to destroy a loyal dedicated employee to do it? If he couldnt competently run the Phoenix field division, with multiple reprisal complaints being filed "ON YOUR WATCH" Mr. Melson, do you really think he can run our most important program in the Bureau right now? What next, Gillette for SAC. This will all catch up to HQ.

[Doc Holiday]

Since we are doing predicting, let's try Chait and Ford to Phillie and Chicago or some variation. We should have an UP OR OUT policy like the FBI and the military. Whats with the seesaw test run, failure w/o accountability then back down 2 or 3 levels with no consequences. Does ANYBODY know who's in charge of this place anymore?

[caseproducer]

Predictions..............Mickey Leadingham, SAC CIMB, SOD....... although the job has not been announced yet.

[Doc Holiday]

Pre-selection is ALIVE and well. Let's not forget that Pre-NON selection is just as prevelant and just as illegal. That's why they call it the MERIT system. Use the FOIA system and be specific if you want to know score and selections. Many of our posted openings are NOT really open.

[Getagrip]

I would appreciate it if any and everyone with direct information regarding pre-selection and non-selects to use the CUATF mail system and contact me. I need info and direction on these subjects. Together we can-if we work together. HQ and Loos may hit us and knock us down, but if we work together and share info we can win!

[VINCENT A CEFALU]

“If you do not learn from your mistakes you are destined to repeat them” We have all heard this at some point in our lives. I again point out that our leaders, while often well intentioned make decisions in a void. Targeted hiring is the new focus. If you were here in the 90’s, you were called to a mandatory meeting and given an explanation of the settlement agreement to the minority discrimination lawsuit. If you recall, one of the issues was the way minority agents were hired under Schedule A hiring authority. The argument was that that method placed an unfair label on those hired that way. So here we are many years later and we are about to do the same thing all over again. Mr. Melson recently explained that we are striving to be a reflection of America. In the same speech, he said we have to run ATF more like a business. Both are very good ideas that have merit. I think that first and foremost corporate American will choose the best person for the job every day. If we are to survive fiscal and political crisis, let’s put forth our best effort to give the citizens what they expect from this agency. As an aside, I look at the senior leadership (ASAC and up) of ATF and it is more than reflective of the makeup of America. Let us not repeat our mistakes as we move forward. Confidential memos cannot exist in an agency of our size and anyone who thinks that something can be kept confidential is naive and foolish. The next problem we are facing is the selection process for promotion. I echo the sentiment that the recent in-place promotion of a 14 to a 15 is not the fault of the person promoted, although he could use a dose of humility and understand that he lacks respect and credibility. Why do we continue to promote people to positions of importance when they do not have the experience to effectively administer the position? This promotion underscores the ongoing theme within ATF, take the path of least resistance and hope that no one notices. I have to say that this website has been the one place where people have taken notice and have voiced their concerns. It is somewhat like the national Tea Party movement, that initially was ignored and criticized, but now has gained some credibility and recognition. Not all the comments posted here are self serving, there really are people concerned with the future of this agency and only want to see some positive steps taken to improve.

INSANITY= DOING THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER WHILE EXPECTING DIFFERENT RESULTS. NUFF SAID

[Patriot]

“If you do not learn from your mistakes you are destined to repeat them” We have all heard this at some point in our lives. I again point out that our leaders, while often well intentioned make decisions in a void. Targeted hiring is the new focus. If you were here in the 90’s, you were called to a mandatory meeting and given an explanation of the settlement agreement to the minority discrimination lawsuit. If you recall, one of the issues was the way minority agents were hired under Schedule A hiring authority. The argument was that that method placed an unfair label on those hired that way. So here we are many years later and we are about to do the same thing all over again. Mr. Melson recently explained that we are striving to be a reflection of America. In the same speech, he said we have to run ATF more like a business. Both are very good ideas that have merit. I think that first and foremost corporate American will choose the best person for the job every day. If we are to survive fiscal and political crisis, let’s put forth our best effort to give the citizens what they expect from this agency. As an aside, I look at the senior leadership (ASAC and up) of ATF and it is more than reflective of the makeup of America. Let us not repeat our mistakes as we move forward. Confidential memos cannot exist in an agency of our size and anyone who thinks that something can be kept confidential is naive and foolish. The next problem we are facing is the selection process for promotion. I echo the sentiment that the recent in-place promotion of a 14 to a 15 is not the fault of the person promoted, although he could use a dose of humility and understand that he lacks respect and credibility. Why do we continue to promote people to positions of importance when they do not have the experience to effectively administer the position? This promotion underscores the ongoing theme within ATF, take the path of least resistance and hope that no one notices. I have to say that this website has been the one place where people have taken notice and have voiced their concerns. It is somewhat like the national Tea Party movement, that initially was ignored and criticized, but now has gained some credibility and recognition. Not all the comments posted here are self serving, there really are people concerned with the future of this agency and only want to see some positive steps taken to improve.

[ProConfesso]

Office of Special Counsel Prosecutes HR Specialists for Allegedly Helping Agency Management Pre-select a Candidate: The Sequel. http://www.fedsmith....-allegedly.html Now someone has to bring an action.

[Doc Holiday]

True or not true????? Pop Quiz? Is it true that Wilfred "call me Larry" Ford has purchased at condo outside Chicago because he has been promised the SAC job if and when Traver vacates Chicago? My vote is NO. That would mean that there is preselection and the Bureau would never do that. I'm Just Sayin. I guess it is possible that for all his lies to Congress, Mr. Melson has told him to retire. Naw, that would be too appropriate.

[Thor God of Thunder]

I knew that Durasanti was to be selected way before the announcement came out and I think that it was posted on CleanUpATF too. It is really a sham and a shame. This process has no integrity and the people that continue to support it and sell it like it does have their integrity and ethics slipping to a new low. Then you will have Michelle Davis-King and now Robin Whatshername lie in a sworn statement that this is a blind process and no one knows who the applicants are except them. What a bunch of merde (french for shit)! If you believe that, I have a bridge that crosses a lake in the dessert that I want to sell you! This is pathetic and we wonder the reason why we are in the shape that we are in. It is no wonder with all of these LOSERS as leaders. Yes, LOSERS. There is no way that these LOSERS can turn into leaders. You just can't get blood from a turnip. We have already seen what this bunch of LOSERS can do when they put their mind to it....they can get us into a pissing match with the FBI...and we are the ones that come up bloody and the FBI comes out smelling like a rose. Mr. Melson wonders why employees have little if no confidence in senior management....when this type of illegal and unethical act happens we just blindly believe in our senior management...sure. This is why,as an agency, we can't hire the next generation of ATF employees because instead of letting the process work; there is constant meddling and manipulation of the process. I would not be mad at Duransanti. I don't know too many people that would turn down a promotion because they feel they are not ready. I have a problem with the enablers. This kind of thing does not happen unless you have a group of co-conspirators. Yes, CO-CONSPIRATORS! Laugh if you want, they are conspiring to bring this agency down. I only hope they do not succeed before I retire.

[caseproducer]

Wasn't sure who you meant until I saw the announcement the other day. Well, I guess Durastanti is in the FOB, Chait and I Love Vidoli green-shirt club. So if you spent a big block of time as a non case producing DTA, go to HQ to get your 14 in juuuuust enough time for the grade 15 AC, then do about 10 months as a 14, you too can be "blind selected" to be a GS-15. No rules means nobody is wrong, huh? I am sure this guy will make somebody a fine ASAC when he shuffles out in a year or so, since he was never a field sup. The AC is corrupt and broken. Any agency that thinks its great to have people become 14s or 15s like this shouldn't be suprised when the 30 somethings get pushed from the nest to be failed SACs, who become inept DADs, Caddy driving ADs and corrupt DDs.

Those guys in SOD are out of control, take home GOVs, getting rid of UNITEC so that a golfing partner can get the new contract.......... Just goes on and on, and worst is that they walk around thinking they are above the law.

[Valkyrie]

There are countless examples of pre selection tactics going on in headquarters. Just look at the bureau of SOD. The deputy chief job has been held open until the branch chief of the critical incident management branch put in barely enough time as a GS-14 and was able to get an asac score. Nothing personal but someone who has never been a RAC in the field should Not be eligable for a GS 15 position anywhere. Also the rumor is that the position was announced for minutes, just long enough for the pre selected individual to put in their application and then closed. That sure gave everyone the opportunity to apply and compete. Ya right.......i guess it works if you are the choosen one.

Wasn't sure who you meant until I saw the announcement the other day. Well, I guess Durastanti is in the FOB, Chait and I Love Vidoli green-shirt club. So if you spent a big block of time as a non case producing DTA, go to HQ to get your 14 in juuuuust enough time for the grade 15 AC, then do about 10 months as a 14, you too can be "blind selected" to be a GS-15. No rules means nobody is wrong, huh? I am sure this guy will make somebody a fine ASAC when he shuffles out in a year or so, since he was never a field sup. The AC is corrupt and broken. Any agency that thinks its great to have people become 14s or 15s like this shouldn't be suprised when the 30 somethings get pushed from the nest to be failed SACs, who become inept DADs, Caddy driving ADs and corrupt DDs.

[Thor God of Thunder]

Study guides I can deal with...there are folks out there that have the answer to the Assessment Center. Yes the answers! A supervisor that helped develop them leaked them out. Why are any ATF people involved in the assessment center anyway? They can exact their revenge against you or have their buddies exact their revenge against you. Additionally, SACs and ASACs will ask for assessment center graphs from their favorite applicant so that they can give their candidates the advantage. This is why some folks in ATF smell like and look like crap and try to act like they are squeaky clean. They can pull that crap with the newbies that do no know any better and that do no know their history but they can't tell that crap to anyone that has been around for a while and has seen the injustices occur and may have even been a victim of the injustices. There is a reason that the executives at ATF do not want a written portion to the assessment center 14 or 15. A lot of their favorite guys cannot right (write)and they cannot right (write). It is pre-selected! It always has been!! It ALWAYS will!!! If this is the best that we can do as an agency, God Help Us!

[just gotta shake your head]

When you put clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out. The ABCs (Attributes, Behaviors and Characteristics) of Good Supervision http://www.fedsmith....upervision.html

[1desertrat]

Those who have been around for a while know that ATF management determines who is going to get management jobs before they even get announced. The announcement and selection process is merely a formality. Should something not actually work out as anticipated in this "star chamber" process, positions are routinely non-selected and re-announced until the "chosen one" ultimately gets the chair. Management surrounds themselves with those who think alike and are willing to circle the wagons to protect one another when needed. The process is known as pre-selection and it is illegal. Although we all know pre-selection is a way of life in ATF, it is difficult to prove. For instance, look at the selective use of the voluntary lateral reassignment process. If there is someone in the local area who is pre-selected, you see "unpaid move" used. If the pre-selected individual is from out of area, you will see a paid move. What we need to do is force transparency in the process and expose the illegal pre-selection process. In part, it is the pre-selections that continue to perpetuate the ongoing problems with management. It is the individuals that we least want making decisions that are the ones choosing the next generation of "clones". In the Phoenix Division I am aware that the Tucson I position was announced. Before the position was even opened most knew that ASAC Gillett had solicited SA Rick Serrano at ATF HQ to be the RAIC. No surprise, since Serrano was a significant management witness against the Tucson Agents involved in the huge EEO and retaliation cases there which originally precipitated him skipping town. Time to repay the favor with a paid move home? Interesting that no attempt to solicit volunteers was used first. Could it be that Serrano was not willing to pay his own way? Although Serrano's selection has not been announced, all in the Division know he is the selectee and now house hunting. Interesting how that all works. Good luck Tucson I, you now know where your new boss stands.