Workforce
The people problem behind the government’s AI ambitions
As agencies move to fulfill requirements laid out in Biden’s AI executive order, workforce gaps remain “one of the biggest barriers” according to a White House official.
Oversight
Diversity in the federal workforce has improved slightly over the last decade
But Latino representation among federal employees continues to lag behind a nationwide benchmark.
Oversight
Still concerned about the Dakota Access pipeline? The feds are asking for comment, 7 years later.
The controversial pipeline near Standing Rock united the climate movement. Now regulators want the public to weigh in on the project’s environmental impact.
Management
Stefanik calls for fraud officer to protect veterans from scam in new bill
The New York congresswoman partnered with House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Mike Bost, R-Ill., to sponsor new legislation that would create an officer to help warn veterans about potential scam and identity theft schemes.
Tech
FCC wants to improve cyber protections for schools, libraries
Faced with a growing number of cyberattacks on school districts nationwide, the agency announced a three-year pilot program to gather data on the best cyberdefenses.
Defense
DOD strategy warns emerging tech is ‘at the forefront’ of information threats
The Pentagon’s updated strategy for operations in the information environment calls for “a cultural shift” to protect national security interests.
Workforce
Apprenticeship programs are growing as the public sector faces workforce shortages
Registered apprenticeships, infrequently used by state and local governments in the past, are gaining the attention of staff-starved agencies.
Workforce
Reports of agency’s toxic workplace and widespread harassment lead to bipartisan calls for investigations
Many women say they had to quit due to the workplace culture.
Management
Porter reintroduces a bill that would form a natural disaster safety board
The California congresswoman redrafted a bill with Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., to establish an agency to help investigate and mitigate the effects of natural disasters in the U.S.
Defense
The Biden administration announces its new acting cyber director, as nominee awaits Senate vote
Drenan Dudley, the deputy national cyber director for strategy and budget, will helm the ONCD until the Senate confirms a permanent leader.
Oversight
A new Social Security report shows the growing overpayment problem tops $23b
For the past several years, the agency routinely distributed between $6 billion and $7 billion in new overpayments each year.
Pay & Benefits
OPM proposes making it easier to approve some recruitment and relocation incentives
Under proposed regulations, the federal government’s HR agency would no longer need to approve waivers of traditional incentive payment caps in advance, potentially speeding up the hiring and relocation processes.
Management
Federal buildings’ deferred maintenance costs are soaring, GAO says, here’s how agencies can help
The cost of delayed repairs to federal facilities swelled 58% between fiscal 2017 and 2022, and the watchdog said that agencies can be doing more to inform about the backlog.
Management
USPS looks to raise rates for packages, too
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy continues an aggressive pricing strategy despite concerns over volume losses.
Defense
DOD launches a platform to educate its workforce on AI basics
The new program will provide DOD’s civilian and military personnel with access to a Massachusetts Institute of Technology service that consists of “bite-sized learning assets” on AI tools and other technologies.
Management
9 times the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers miscalculated badly at the expense of taxpayers and wildlife
The agency has a history of diving into big construction projects that exceed projected costs, fall short on projected benefits and, in some cases, create new problems that engineers hadn’t bargained for.
News
Saying goodbye to a giant in government journalism: Charlie Clark, 1953-2023
Clark, a former senior correspondent for GovExec, died Wednesday after a brief illness.
Management
Biden’s cyber director nominee clears Senate committee
As Biden’s pick for national cyber director — Harry Coker — makes his way through the Senate, the current acting director nears her last day.
Pay & Benefits
Democrats reintroduce bill to improve locality pay for some federal jobs
The Locality Pay Equity Act would ensure that locality pay determinations, currently bifurcated between the General Schedule and Federal Wage System pay scales, would be consistent for most federal employees.
Pay & Benefits