Defense

Space Force inches closer to classified remote work

The platform could be a popular remote-work solution for Space Systems Command.

Policy

VA says it's seeing more patients than ever and cutting wait times for them

Staffing and productivity gains will allow VA to continue functioning more efficiently while avoiding burnout, official says.

Artificial Intelligence

NASA is working to onboard AI tools

The space agency is testing a generative AI capability that officials expect to go live this summer with approvals to use sensitive internal data.

Exclusive Cybersecurity

CISA would get millions for cyber workforce outreach to underserved communities under new bill

The measure comes amid concerns from cybersecurity officials and professionals over how workforce diversity gaps may threaten U.S. cyber defenses.

Cybersecurity

Cyber workforce efforts need to address diversity ‘head on,’ ex-White House official says

Camille Stewart Gloster just departed the White House, but stressed that not achieving a diverse cyber workforce is a national security concern that creates “gaps in our threat picture.”

Cybersecurity

Feds, military personnel compete in President's Cyber Cup Challenge

Michael Harpin, the competition’s section chief at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, told Nextgov/FCW that the competition fosters internal recognition and networking that can help spur career growth.

People

Senators’ latest telework legislation could imperil remote work

A new bill from Sens. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, and Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., would cap all telework at 40% of an employee’s work hours, potentially endangering the federal government’s nascent remote work program.

People

Goodbye degree requirements? Biden administration pushes skills-based hiring for tech talent

The Office of Personnel Management announced on Monday that it will be reworking the policies around the 2210 job series — which covers most government tech employees — to be more skills-based.

Artificial Intelligence

Feds need to be careful when tapping generative AI for work

Human review of AI-generated outputs is critical, OPM says in new guidance for government employees.

Defense

Deal will allow military spouses to telework from overseas

The move to allow federal employees to telework while overseas with their service member spouses is part of a larger effort to boost recruitment of military spouses.

People

DHS names Michael Boyce to lead its AI Corps

The AI Corps program — modeled after the White House’s U.S. Digital Service — is intended to bring teams of experts to bear on the agency’s most critical mission needs.

People

Bipartisan bill seeks to expand workers’ access to digital skills training programs

House and Senate lawmakers are seeking to modify current law to create a “digital skills at work grant program” for those accessing government-funded career services.

Exclusive Digital Government

30,000 died in fiscal 2023 waiting for disability decisions from Social Security

SSA Commissioner Martin O’Malley sat down with Nextgov/FCW recently to talk through the agency’s biggest challenges, including how it delivers disability assistance.

Digital Government

Lawmakers to include VET-TEC renewal under broader veteran bill, per committee spokesperson

VA’s five-year tech training pilot expired April 1 after Congress failed to pass legislation to renew the program.

Emerging Tech

EEOC says HR software company Workday should face bias claims in lawsuit

The federal agency filed an amicus brief in a case in which a job applicant is alleging algorithmic discrimination.

Exclusive Acquisition

Mace sponsors bill to ban educational requirements for government contractors

The bill tracks with ongoing bipartisan efforts to push the government towards skills-based hiring.

Policy

OPM issues its final rule for Schedule F protections

The federal HR agency finalized its rule offering protections for career civil servants meant to safeguard against the potential reemergence of the Trump-era Schedule F policy.

Ideas

Why plugging leaks sometimes means protecting leakers

COMMENTARY | Congress needs to establish a form of amnesty that, where appropriate, provides an exit ramp for individuals who have unwittingly violated the terms of a security clearance and wish to come clean.

People

Top women officials say there’s more work to do on gender balance in government tech

Women seem to be far more common in government’s top tech leadership positions than they used to be, but “we are far from done,” one such leader warns.