UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER No. 27-94
Unemployment Insurance -- Recruitment of State Staff for the Revenue Quality Control Work Group
To recruit State Unemployment Insurance (UI) tax staff to assist the Work Group in preparing the phase-in of the Revenue Quality Control (RQC) program, including final editing of the RQC Operations Handbook, making the transition of Quality Appraisal (QA)
Direct inquiries to the appropriate RO.
Reference: Unemployment Insurance Program Letter No. 16-94 Background: RQC is a comprehensive performance measurement system, initiated by the Employment and Training Administration (ETA), to assist State UI managers in evaluating the effectiveness of their Unemployment Compensation (UC) tax operations. The Unemployment Insurance Service (UIS) was assigned the task of RQC design and development. A UIS taskforce was formed comprised of ETA's Office of Regional Management, State UC tax program professionals on Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignments, and State administration experts on tax policy and procedures, who provided guidance on RQC design and development in advisory capacities (expert panel). To date, UC tax experts from 18 States have served as advisors and participated in IPA assignments, providing valuable linkages between theory and practice without which RQC could not have reached this final stage of preparing for formal implementation. The IPA and expert panel experience has also provided the participant States a resident source of better understanding the interrelationship of State UC tax programs. With the expiration of current IPA assignments, new opportunities will be available. Current Status of RQC: In addition to the 18 States participating in the design and development of RQC, 52 States have participated in voluntary implementation of RQC. The experience gained in actual applications of RQC measures under varying State rules and procedures gave the RQC Task Force immeasurable guidance and generated a number of modifications in the measurement of tax operations accuracy, timeliness, and completeness. The RQC's next steps involve assisting States and Regions with program implementation, e.g., going on technical assistance trips; developing and delivering any needed training; and ensuring that RQC revisions to reported tax data are understood and that States are able to begin reporting new and revised data elements. State Nomination of Staff to Provide Technical Support in the Development of RQC: The contractual assignments for our present IPAs will end in late summer. Replacements will be needed to assure a smooth phase-in of RQC. The RQC Work Group is seeking individuals with a broad range of expertise in State UC tax operations, some understanding of automation in tax operations and with good writing and analytical skills. The IPA candidates who are selected will participate in developing resolutions to problems and issues uncovered in the voluntary implementation phase of RQC. They will be instrumental in coordinating ETA 581 requirements with RQC Operations Handbook measurement criteria for the phase-in of mandatory RQC. Selected candidates will join RQC in Washington, D.C., on 12 to l8 month assignments, beginning in late fiscal year 1994. An individual serving an IPA assignment with RQC remains a State employee, continuing to draw his/her State salary and benefits. Direction and control, while on IPA assignment, are provided by Federal staff. Salary and relocation/per diem expenses may be paid by the State, the Department of Labor, or shared, depending on the type of arrangements negotiated between the State and the Department. The IPAs are entitled to either (1) the reasonable cost of relocation to and from Washington, DC; or (2) the reasonable cost of living expenses (per diem) while working in Washington, DC. Action Required: State Administrators are requested to: a. Notify appropriate staff of opportunities for IPA assignments, and b. Forward resumes of interested applicants to the ETA Regional Office (RO) within 30 days of this UIPL. Applicant resumes should show work history, describe duties, name and phone number of the applicant's supervisor, and the applicant's phone number.
All State Employment Security Agencies
Mary Ann Wyrsch Director, Unemployment Insurance Service
Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration