**GAO-07-758**                      Published: Jul 16, 2007. Publicly Released: Jul 16, 2007.                  

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## Highlights

Since its inception in 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has faced numerous human capital challenges related to recruiting, retaining, and managing its workforce of nearly 171,000 employees. As requested, this report analyzes DHS's attrition, efforts to recruit and retain staff, use of external employees, and compliance with certain provisions of the Vacancies Reform Act, which requires agencies to report to Congress and the Comptroller General vacancies in certain presidentially-appointed positions requiring Senate confirmation. To conduct its work, GAO surveyed human capital personnel from DHS and its component agencies; analyzed federal personnel data files, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) human capital documentation, and relevant legislation; and interviewed key DHS officials.

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## Topics

Homeland Security

Employee incentivesEmployeesHomeland securityHuman capitalPersonnel recruitingProgram managementReporting requirementsStaff utilizationStrategic planningHuman resources management