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Graduate School USA

Personnel Actions & Recordkeeping Bootcamp

via Graduate School USA

Overview

This bootcamp equips federal human resources professionals with the foundational to working-level skills needed to perform core HR functions accurately and in full compliance with OPM regulations. Combining four integrated courses, participants develop practical proficiency in maintaining Official Personnel Folders, navigating the OPM Guide to Processing Personnel Actions, calculating service computation dates, and processing the full range of federal personnel transactions. The five-day Processing Federal Personnel Actions course anchors the program, supported by three focused one-day courses that build essential competencies in recordkeeping, action preparation, and service computation.

Throughout the bootcamp, participants engage in applied exercises grounded in realistic federal HR scenarios, working directly with OPM reference guides, Standard Form 52 requirements, and service computation date methodologies. The program covers appointment processing, pay and classification actions, position changes, separations, and adverse action procedures, while addressing documentation standards, nature of action coding, and the compliance expectations that define professional conduct in federal human resources. By the end of the program, participants are prepared to handle the full spectrum of personnel recordkeeping and action processing responsibilities with accuracy and regulatory confidence.

Syllabus

The Guide to Federal Personnel Recordkeeping Course

  • Explain the legal and regulatory framework governing federal civilian personnel records (5 CFR Part 293, Privacy Act, NARA)
  • Establish, maintain, and safeguard Official Personnel Folders (OPF) and Employee Medical Folders (EMF)
  • Apply Update 14 (January 2026) OPM guidance classifying EMF records as long-term (29 CFR 1910.1020) or short-term
  • Execute proper procedures for transferring records between agencies and to the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
  • Respond accurately to requests for information from EMF and OPF records under the Privacy Act
  • Identify and correct the ten most common recordkeeping errors

Using the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions Course

  • Explain the legal authority and structure of the GPPA
  • Identify the correct Nature of Action (NOA) code for any given personnel action
  • Select the correct legal authority and authority code for each action
  • Choose appropriate remarks and remarks codes for personnel actions
  • Complete the SF-52 and SF-50 accurately using NOA, authority, and remarks
  • Identify and correct common errors in personnel action documentation

Calculating Service Computation Dates Course

  • Understanding what Service Computation Dates (SCDs) are and their importance.
  • Determining creditable service for civil and uniformed employment.
  • Verifying prior service and computing SCDs for leave, RIF, TSP, and retirement.
  • Recognizing when and how to update an employee's SCD.
  • Applying differences between SCD types, including severance pay.

Processing Federal Personnel Actions Course

  • Utilizing the Guide to Processing Personnel Actions for SF-52 and SF-50 forms.
  • Selecting the appropriate nature of action codes, legal authorities, and remarks.
  • Computing service computation dates and determining retirement coverage.
  • Adjudicating and documenting veterans' preference entitlements.
  • Managing within-grade increases, probationary periods, and career tenure requirements.
  • Understanding the impact of allowable non-pay time on personnel actions.

Reviews

4.5 rating at Graduate School USA based on 284 ratings

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