DAFMAN 36-203: STAFFING CIVILIAN POSITIONS

DAFMAN 36-203 — index record

Number	DAFMAN 36-203
Title	STAFFING CIVILIAN POSITIONS
Published	July 30, 2019
Certified current	October 31, 2021
Office of primary responsibility	AF/A1
Issued by	Headquarters, Department of the Air Force
Status on the index	Current
Last index action	UpdateContact, November 1, 2023
Source index	Air Force e-Publishing
Index last read	October 20, 2026

Copied from Air Force e-Publishing (index). The publication itself is the authority; this page does not summarize or interpret it. Verify the current edition on the index before acting.

From the publication itself

Text below is lifted mechanically from the official PDF (59 pages, read October 20, 2026) with no editing or interpretation. Quote the document, not this page.

Purpose, in the publication’s words

This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 36-1, Appropriated Funds Civilian Management and Administration; Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1400.25, Volume 315, Civilian Personnel Management System: Employment of Spouses of Active Duty Military, DoDI 1400.25, Volume 922, Employment of Highly Qualified Experts (HQEs); DoDI 1400.25, Volume 1230, Employment in Foreign Areas and Employee Return Rights; DoDI 1400.25, Volume 1232, Employment of Family Members in Foreign Areas; and DoDI 1400.25, Volume 1800, DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP). It provides guidance and prescribes operational procedures for certain types of civilian staffing and placement programs and actions. This manual applies to the United States Space Force, Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, Title 5 United States Code (USC) civilian employees, unless stated otherwise, and Title 10 Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System civilian employees. It

Summary of changes, as printed

This interim change revises Department of Air Force Manual (DAFMAN) 36-203 by adding new reporting requirements to the rules governing filling positions at the GS-14/GS-15 and equivalent levels and new rules regarding Schedule A and Wounded Warrior applicants. This change also adds a new hiring panel requirement for all GS-13 supervisory positions and approval levels for the 180-day waiver for all GS-13 positions. A margin bar (|) indicates newly revised material.

Chapter 1— ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 7
Chapter 3— THE AIR FORCE MERIT PROMOTION PLANp. 18
Chapter 4— DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMp. 48
Chapter 5— MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE PROGRAMp. 52
Chapter 6— EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTSp. 58
Chapter 7— EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCESp. 61
Attachment 1— GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 66

All 91 contents entries

Chapter 1— ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESp. 7
1.3. Civilian Force Management Directorate (AF/A1C)p. 7
1.4. Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC), including Operating Locations, will:p. 7
1.5. Major Commands, Direct Reporting Units, and Field Operating Agenciesp. 7
1.6. Civilian Personnel Sectionp. 7
1.7. Commanders, Directors, and Supervisors at every level must:p. 7
2.1. Protecting Personally Identifiable Information:p. 9
2.2. Principles for Filling Positionsp. 9
2.3. Equal Opportunityp. 9
2.4. Availabilityp. 9
2.5. Suitability of Candidates and Security Factorsp. 10
2.6. Qualification Requirementsp. 10
2.7. Referral and Selection Prioritiesp. 11
2.8. Referral and Selection of Candidatesp. 11
2.9. Prompt Release of Employeesp. 13
2.10. Assisting the New Employeep. 13
2.11. Special Employment Programsp. 13
2.13. Employees on Retained Grade. Table 3.3p. 13
2.14. Filling Positions at the GS-14/GS-15 and equivalent levelsp. 13
2.15. Installation Affirmative Employment Program Managerp. 16
2.16. The DoD Priority Placement Program (PPP)p. 17
Chapter 3— THE AIR FORCE MERIT PROMOTION PLANp. 18
3.1. Policy Objectivesp. 18
3.2. Key Principlesp. 18
3.3. The Right to Select or Non-Select from a Group of Qualified Candidatesp. 19
3.4. General Coveragep. 19
3.5. Formal Trainee and Apprentice-Type Positionsp. 22
3.6. Applicability to Positions Outside the Competitive Servicep. 22
3.7. Applying Competitive Promotion Proceduresp. 22
3.8. Actions Not Subject to Competitionp. 22
3.9. Re-Promotion of Previously Downgraded Employees on Pay Retentionp. 23
3.10. Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Travel Allowancesp. 24
3.11. Identifying Candidates for Referralp. 25
3.12. Priority Referralp. 25
3.13. Job Analysis/Promotion Plan/Assessmentp. 25
3.14. Certification for Referralp. 26
3.15. Referral Registers/Certificatesp. 26
3.16. The Selection Processp. 27
3.17. Notifying Applicantsp. 28
3.18. Releasing Employeesp. 28
3.19. Temporary Promotionsp. 29
3.22. Promotion/Referral Recordsp. 31
3.23. Promotion Information to Employeesp. 32
3.24. Keeping Employees Informedp. 32
3.25. Employee Complaintsp. 32
3.26. Evaluationp. 33
Chapter 4— DEVELOPMENTAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAMp. 48
4.1. Advancement Opportunitiesp. 48
4.2. Objectivesp. 48
4.3. Relationship with Affirmative Employmentp. 48
4.4. Generalp. 48
4.5. Responsibilities of Commandersp. 48
4.6. Responsibilities of Functional Managers and Supervisorsp. 48
4.7. Responsibilities of the Civilian Personnel Officerp. 49
4.8. Eligibilityp. 49
4.9. Identification of Positionsp. 49
4.10. Implementationp. 50
4.11. Training Agreementsp. 50
4.12. Formal Training Planp. 50
4.13. Counselingp. 51
Chapter 5— MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE PROGRAMp. 52
5.1. Authorityp. 52
5.2. Military Spouse Preference Eligiblep. 52
5.3. Applicabilityp. 52
5.4. Scope of the Programp. 53
5.5. Employment Information and Assistancep. 53
5.6. Claim for Preferencep. 53
5.7. Preference Determinationsp. 55
5.8. Documenting Preferencep. 55
5.9. Applying Preferencep. 55
Chapter 6— EMPLOYMENT OF EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTSp. 58
6.1. Authorityp. 58
6.2. Mission Statementp. 58
6.3. Authority to Employ by Appointmentp. 58
6.4. Conditions of Employmentp. 58
6.5. Concurrent Use by Other Air Force Activitiesp. 59
6.6. Responsibilitiesp. 59
6.7. Employment Proceduresp. 59
6.8. Recording Days of Workp. 60
6.9. Termination/Extension of Appointmentp. 60
6.10. Annual Communication Requirementp. 60
Chapter 7— EMPLOYMENT OF RETIRED MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCESp. 61
7.1. Authoritiesp. 61
7.2. Delegation of Approval Authorityp. 61
7.3. Requests for Approvalp. 62
7.4. The Required Comparative Analysisp. 63
7.5. Accountability and Legal Requirementsp. 64
7.6. Announcement Requirementp. 64
7.7. The 180-Day Waiting Periodp. 64
7.8. Maintaining Data at the Installation Levelp. 65
Attachment 1— GLOSSARY OF REFERENCES AND SUPPORTING INFORMATIONp. 66

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DAFMAN 36-203

DAFMAN 36-203 — index record

From the publication itself

Purpose, in the publication’s words

Summary of changes, as printed

Contents

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