**SMT Discussion Summary**

**Managing for Excellence**

**Proposed California Three-Tier Model**

**June 2007**

-   For the past 12 years, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has
    operated using a mixed organizational model in California. The
    California Desert District has coordinated and supported the work of
    five Field Offices (FO) in the southern part of the state. The 10
    FOs in central and northern California have coordinated their work,
    but without the benefit of a District structure to streamline
    regional operations.

-   As part of the BLM's national Managing for Excellence Initiative,
    BLM nationwide will be implementing a three-tier organizational
    structure that includes Field, District and State Offices. In
    preparation for that transition, BLM California developed and
    analyzed a variety of alternatives.

-   To fairly address the strengths and weaknesses of each proposal, BLM
    California's State Management Team (SMT) created evaluation criteria
    and goals for implementing a District Office (DO) structure
    throughout California.

-   The SMT developed three initial alternatives in March 2007. These
    proposals were presented to BLM employees statewide for their
    consideration and input. Employee input was forwarded to the
    California State Office (SO). All comments were reviewed, analyzed,
    and shared with managers statewide.

-   On May 24, 2007, the California SMT met to finalize the preferred
    three-tier transition proposal. In addition to the original three
    alternatives, other proposals arising from the FOs were considered
    and analyzed during that meeting.

-   After extensive deliberation, discussion and assessment, the SMT
    reached consensus on a DO structure that provides the greatest
    support for FOs. This model capitalizes on current efficiencies,
    while providing the flexibility to address future resource
    management challenges.

-   The SMT three-tier model retains the CDD in its current
    configuration, and develops two new Districts based on established
    working relationships between the FOs in central California (CenCal)
    and northern California (NorCal).

-   The SMT incorporated feedback from employees into this
    decision-making process. Ultimately, the NorCal/CenCal District
    model was chosen because it most effectively met the established
    criteria and goals. Specifically, the pluses for the NorCal/CenCal
    model included:

    -   Cost effectiveness (both short-term and long-term)

    -   Uniformity and equity among Districts

    -   Minimal organizational impact on both staff and programs

    -   More able to adapt to future organizational change

    -   No functional changes for RACs

    -   More sustainable on the ground

    -   Better professional development (program and issue diversity)

    -   More sustainable on the ground

-   The SMT modified its original NorCal/CenCal model to incorporate
    employee feedback. Specifically, the Ukiah FO is proposed to move
    from the NorCal to the CenCal District based on similar resource
    management issues.

-   To ensure that the new DOs provide the most appropriate level of
    support to the FOs, the DOs will focus largely on the administrative
    and operational support functions associated with specialized,
    scarce and zoned skills. DO functions could include: Regional Fire
    Management Officer, Public Affairs Specialist, Budget Analyst, and
    Procurement and Contracting Specialist. The District Manager (DM)
    will have supervisory responsibility for the Field Managers (FM).

-   The CDD Office would remain in Moreno. Locations for the NorCal DO
    and CenCal DO will be determined at a later date.

-   The impacts to current employees will be minimal, and there is
    significant value added in providing an additional leadership
    development level (DM).

-   In August, the State Director will present the BLM California
    three-tier model to the Washington Office for approval. If approved,
    the two-year implementation phase will begin. Given both the
    structure and flexibility inherent in the NorCal/CenCal models, BLM
    California will be able to develop a highly effective and functional
    three-tier organization.