Workforce

Who is an AI worker? The Pentagon needs a better definition, GAO says

The Pentagon “can't fully identify who is part of its AI workforce or which positions require personnel with AI skills,” according to a new congressional watchdog report.

Management

Martin O’Malley confirmed as Social Security commissioner

The Senate voted 50-11 Monday to confirm the former Maryland governor, officially ending a multi-year period where the agency struggled under acting leadership.

Oversight

Senate committee wants VA to ensure providers work to prevent opioid abuse

Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, and other Senate Veterans Affairs Committee members sent a letter to VA Secretary Denis McDonough calling for action after audits found oversight lapses in opioid prescriptions from non-agency providers. 

Workforce

State Department restores passport processing to pre-pandemic levels

A hiring surge and mandatory overtime has brought passport processing down to its lowest level in years.

Tech

GSA launches text message service for government programs in four localities and states

Norfolk, Virginia has already been using the service to remind people about Medicaid recertification.

Tech

2024 to bring ‘shifts’ in government tech

Obviously, artificial intelligence will be important. But a new report says there are other big advances on the horizon that governments will need to keep a close eye on.

Workforce

Priming the workforce is key to future AI efforts, federal IT leaders say

One agency tech leader is urging IT workers inside government and out to "get into the shallow end of the AI swimming pool" and experiment with the new tools.

Workforce

USPS’ workforce is very diverse. Its management is less so.

Historically disadvantaged groups fare worse than white colleagues in getting promoted to higher-level positions, new audit finds.

Workforce

Workers at German military installation unionize amid AFGE's overseas push

Nearly 400 employees of a community center on Ramstein Air Base voted to form the American Federation of Government Employee’s second union local in Europe.

Oversight

House committee wants FBI headquarters documents outlining Greenbelt decision

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure chairman called for more information from the FBI, General Services Administration and the former official charged with selecting the site of the Bureau’s proposed headquarters about how the decision came to pass.  

Tech

Why federal efforts to protect schools from cybersecurity threats fall short

K-12 schools are especially vulnerable to cyberattack because they lack the cybersecurity expertise and funding essential to protecting students' sensitive information.

Management

OPM encourages federal supervisors to make better use of probationary periods

The federal government’s HR agency urged agency managers to remove poor performers before most removal protections kick in, as well work more closely with new employees early in their tenure to help them succeed.

Tech

GSA is at a ‘critical juncture’ to salvage faith in TTS, agency watchdog warns

GSA’s inspector general says that it’s “trying to prevent the next Login.gov” — referencing a bombshell oversight report on GSA’s single sign-on service issued earlier this year.

Pay & Benefits

MSPB finally rules on OPM apportioning the Retiree Annuity Supplement

Starting in 2016, an OPM rule change allowed the divorced spouses of federal retirees to claim a portion of their annuity supplement. Now, after having a quorum for the first time in five years, the MSPB has stepped in to address the rule.

Pay & Benefits

Expanded leave access for veteran feds makes it into defense policy bill

Under a provision of the fiscal 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, federal agencies would be required to incorporate veterans’ military service when determining eligibility for paid leave.

Tech

TMF’s planned cost savings have been ‘minimal’ in reality, GAO finds

The original intent of the revolving fund anticipated repayments on finished projects replenishing the pool for new ones. In reality, such repayments have been slow and slim.

Tech

Agencies have over 1,200 AI uses planned or in operation, watchdog finds

The massive GAO report found that some agencies — like NASA and the Department of Commerce — have made major investments in artificial intelligence, while others struggled to meet federal requirements.

Pay & Benefits

Supreme Court to hear arguments on federal employee furlough case

The case was significantly delayed as the agency that initially hears federal worker appeals was non-functional for five years.