Digital Government

Civic tech vendor recognizes employee union

Code for America recognized a new employee union, a first in the civic tech sector.

Cybersecurity

New missions could present challenges for the DOD cyber workforce

Mieke Eoyang, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for cyber policy said one of DOD's main cyber workforce challenges is being able to set expectations around policymakers' calls to step in and defend against cyberattacks.

People

FLRA faces backlogs, staffing woes

The agency has been without a general counsel for years, leaving it unable to resolve charges of unfair labor practices, but the Senate is poised to confirm new leadership.

People

White House looks to boost federal employee union participation

The Office of Personnel Management is directed agencies to more regularly give new and longtime feds more information about their union eligibility and guidance about how to join.

Digital Government

The workforce challenge facing the IRS

Can the tax agency solve the problem of a shrinking workforce and an increasing workload?

Cybersecurity

The CISO reporting structure is broken

The commitment to managing cyber risk is a primary concern, but is often consolidated with IT priorities. This creates a conflict – does IT or security come out on top?

Acquisition

How GSA is implementing the contractor vaccination mandate

The agency's Federal Acquisition Service and Public Building Service are using automated tools to send out contract modifications "by the thousands," to add the vaccination mandate said one agency official. FAS started issuing mass modifications on Oct. 8. They're issuing about 3,000 modifications per day.

Digital Government

MSPB's online appeals system is getting a revamp

The agency is modernizing its online appeals system used by feds. Accessibility needs to be a central part of that entire process, said agency officials.

Cybersecurity

CMMC's Arrington sues DOD to clear her name

Katie Arrington, who has been off the job since May, is suing the Department of Defense to get resolution on her personnel case.

Cybersecurity

How training fits into cyber workforce development

In a tight market for cyber talent, training is one way to show the workforce you've invested in them, says Jason Gray, the Department of Education's CIO and co-chair of the CIO Council's Workforce Committee.

Cybersecurity

CISA chief looks to new system to attract cyber talent

Despite increasing competition among the public and private sectors in hiring top cyber talent, CISA Director Jen Easterly said she has high hopes for a new personnel management system which reduces friction in hiring and offers new career paths.

People

DOD personnel now subject to 'continuous vetting'

Defense and military personnel are now a part of an automated "continuous vetting" program that will flag concerning behavior or circumstances as part of the security clearance process.

People

Feds could see relief as Public Service Loan Forgiveness gets a reboot

The program, meant to wipe the student debt of eligible public servants, has rejected the vast majority of applications it's received.

People

IRS solidifies relationship with management group

The IRS and the Professional Managers Association have reached a final consultative agreement to keep agency managers in the loop about agency decisions.

People

OPM director talks federal recruitment with students

Kiran Ahuja talked about streamlining hiring, implementing President Biden's executive order on diversity and more at a George Mason University event.

People

Vaccine enforcement coming as soon as Nov. 9, OPM says

The Office of Personnel Management sent guidance to agencies outlining the Biden administration's discipline process for noncompliant feds on Friday.

People

Congress passes funding bill through Dec. 3, avoiding shutdown

With just hours to go in fiscal year 2021, Congress passed a stopgap funding bill to avert a partial government shutdown.

People

TSA head says more union rights coming to airport screeners

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want the agency to resolve longstanding compensation issues for the frontline Transportation Security Administration workforce.

Cybersecurity

Coast Guard looks to direct commissioning for cyber personnel

The maritime military branch opened up its direct commissioning program to cyber roles in cyberspace operations, cybersecurity, information assurance and cyber threat intelligence.