Workforce

As millions of acres burn, firefighters say the U.S. Forest Service has left them with critical shortages

The country’s wildland firefighting resources are spread thin, more blazes are imminent, and supervisors of local crews are reluctant to allow firefighters to travel far from home to help elsewhere.

Workforce

A Senate panel has advanced bills codifying skills-based hiring, restricting IG employees’ political activity

Bipartisan legislation would add employees in agency offices of inspectors general to the list of those “further restricted” from political activity under the Hatch Act.

Workforce

Agencies get creative to recruit AI experts 

The federal government has hired more than 200 technologists through the national artificial intelligence talent surge, which is one part of President Biden’s AI executive order.

Workforce

Gen Z is underrepresented in the federal workforce. Here’s how some experts would fix that

People younger than 30 represent 7% of the full-time civil service despite being 20% of the overall U.S. labor force.

Oversight

Nuclear waste cleanup agency undermined by staff shortages, report says

The Energy Department’s Office of Environmental Management had a 17% vacancy rate at the end of fiscal 2023 and most were mission-critical roles.

Workforce

The DOOBIE Act would codify federal hiring policy for former marijuana users

The bill, introduced by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., would enshrine in law that past marijuana use cannot be the sole basis for denying federal job applicants a position or security clearance.

Tech

White House details almost $100M investment to boost tech hiring

Arati Prabhakar, the director of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy, said the government’s adoption of emerging capabilities “hinges on getting terrific people to come do this work.”

Workforce

The Forest Service will focus hiring on its ‘highest priority positions’ amid tighter budgets

Lower attrition means that the agency will continue to promote internal recruitment, but limit some outside hires to ensure it that it can align both funding and core mission functions. 

Workforce

DHS wants to go big with its hiring fair this week

The department says it's cutting red tape in government hiring by giving tentative job offers on the spot and starting vetting processes in person.

Oversight

NSF’s ongoing major infrastructure project delays due to personnel, supply challenges, report says

Staffing challenges were partially at the root of delays for two of the agency’s construction facilities projects costing more than $100 million.

Oversight

DHS needs to improve how it collects employee hiring and vetting data, GAO reports

The watchdog’s analysis found that the department did not meet its average hiring time targets in fiscal 2022 for nine out of 13 priority positions.

Workforce

VA employees warn of stark consequences from hiring restrictions

New memorandum entrusts local VA leaders to make "difficult staffing decisions" as department looks to shed employees.

Oversight

Government watchdog reminds OPM about open HR recommendations

Some of the GAO’s priority recommendations include overhauling the General Schedule classification and pay system and simplifying agency hiring authorities.

Workforce

Nuclear agency needs more insights into its workforce recruitment efforts, GAO says

A new report from the watchdog said that the National Nuclear Security Administration has made progress on addressing its staffing efforts, but continues to budget for a smaller workforce than it needs. 

Workforce

New analysis shows U.S. staff are underrepresented at the UN

Despite being the top contributor to the United Nations, the GAO found that the number of American citizen employees at certain agencies fell short of geographic representation targets set by the international organization.

Workforce

Agencies’ best tool in closing talent gaps: Diversity, equity and inclusion

COMMENTARY | By keeping DEI at the heart of recruitment and retention strategies, government leaders can address some of the complex challenges our country faces day in and out.

Management

Investing in job skills pays off

COMMENTARY | Well-defined competencies are tools that help managers provide useful feedback.

Workforce

FAA will soon be able to hire thousands of new staff as reauthorization bill heads to Biden’s desk

The agency is hopeful the hiring spree will mitigate flight delays, employee fatigue and near accidents at airports.

Workforce

The class of 2024 is applying to more government jobs, says college networking website

Handshake’s report says more college graduates are applying to government jobs, as hiring slows in technology and professional services.

Workforce

The Biden administration’s path to a green economy runs through Gen Z

COMMENTARY | The winning strategy? Engaging with young people where they are and paying them what they’re worth.