Sept. 8, 2014
The Georgia Department of Defense, along with seven other agencies, was honored at the Human Resources Community Meeting this month for outstanding performance in the State FY 2014 HR Audit. DOAS Commissioner Sid Johnson presented the Commissioner’s Recognition Award to these top performers.
Sandra Bruce (pictured) is the Human Resources Director for the Georgia Department of Defense. Mrs. Bruce, a State Human Resources professional for 19 years, and her staff led their agency to successfully excel in the audit’s Classification Management module. The Ga. Dept. of Defense was also one of the three highest scoring agencies across all audit modules in FY2014. This significant achievement indicated an excellent overall understanding of and compliance with Human Resources laws, regulations, rules, and best practices.
Under Mrs. Bruce’s leadership, the Ga. Dept. of Defense enhanced its Classification Management program approximately 10 years ago. The Ga. Dept. of Defense uses objective documented data to support position classification decisions. When classifying positions, the Ga. Dept. of Defense reviews accurate job descriptions and interviews managers to confirm the duties and responsibilities assigned to positions. The Ga. Dept. of Defense reviews where positions fit within the agency’s organizational structure and State government as a whole, and also considers how counterpart organizations are classifying positions with similar roles and responsibilities.
In keeping with best practices, the Ga. Dept. of Defense reviews current positions for both proper classification and FLSA status when there have been significant changes in job duties. The Ga. Dept. of Defense also ensures positions are properly classified before advertising a vacancy.
Sandra Bruce has found the Ga. Dept. of Defense classification program to be effective and says she plans to “stick with it.”
As to her experience with the audit, Mrs. Bruce valued participating in the FY 2014 HR Audit so much that she has even volunteered to be on the list for FY 2015 audit.
For more information on how to make the most of these HR audits, contact the Human Resources Administration at DOAS: policy@doas.ga.gov
The Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC), in conjunction with the Georgia National Guard, will host several law enforcement and public safety agencies for a Military Career Fair on Thursday, August 28 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. in Building #447, Clay National Guard Center, Marietta, Ga.
The current participating agencies (Department of Corrections, Georgia National Guard, Department of Juvenile Justice, Georgia State Board of Pardons and Paroles, Gwinnett County Police Department, Atlanta Police Department, and Georgia Regents/Georgia Correctional Healthcare) will have more than 1,000 jobs available for military personnel returning from duty. The list of participating agencies is subject to change up to the day of the event, therefore we ask that you please check the agency’s website for an updated list.
This event is free and open to active duty and transitioning military personnel, guardsmen, and reservists with base access, who register online or at GDCjobs.com.
“We have seen much success with the quality of men and women that we have hired at previous military career fairs,” said Commissioner Brian Owens. “It is our duty to seek out the best staff for our department and we find military veterans to have the values and skills we are looking for in future employees.”
The GDC has one of the largest prison systems in the U.S. and is responsible for supervising nearly 55,000 state prisoners and more than 160,000 probationers. It is the largest law enforcement agency in the state with approximately 12,000 employees.
For more information on the GDC call 478-992-5247 or visit DCOR.state.ga.us.
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Maj. Gen. Jim Butterworth, Georgia’s Adjutant General, honored the courage, commitment and sacrifice of four Georgia Guardsmen in front of their families and fellow servicemen Saturday, April 26, 2014, in Atlanta.
Sgt. 1st Class Ryan Rosenburg, Spc. Jonathan Mathews, Sgt. Stephen Bray and Spc. John Rivers received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat while assigned to the 1-214th Field Artillery Battalion.
Following the ceremony, Deal signed Senate Bill 276, which declared Georgia to be a Purple Heart state and designated Aug. 7 as Purple Heart Day. The legislation was sponsored by state Sen. Ed Harbison, a Purple Heart Medal recipient who served three tours in Vietnam.
“These four men, who were honored here today, are recognized for the sacrifices they have made,” said Deal. “But all of you who were in harm’s way were simply one breath away from being in the same exact position. So, in some ways, this ceremony, even though it is dedicated to the Purple Heart recipients, I believe it should be dedicated to all of you, because, you did not have a choice about where you were. You were in the line of fire in many instances, and we are pleased that you all came back. I believe this ceremony is for all of you, and I believe these four men would say the same thing.”
The governor asked the four Purple Heart recipients to stand with him as he signed SB 276, and gave each of the Soldiers a pen used during the signature ceremony.
“We thank the Soldiers and family members represented here today,” continued Deal.
“Sometimes people forget the sacrifices made by members of our military today,” said Deal. “They don’t understand the sacrifices made by Soldiers and family members. This is a story that we need to tell our fellow Americans, because it is the story of the sacrifices that have made our country great from its inception. We will continue only so long as there are men and women willing to voluntarily step forward.”
More than 16,500 Georgia Guardsmen have deployed overseas since Sept. 11, 2001. The 1-214th FA is one of the most recent Georgia National Guard units to return from overseas duty. The battalion conducted more than 720 combat patrols in western Afghanistan, from May to December 2013, and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation. Approximately 500 Guardsmen are currently serving overseas as part of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.
