DHS Managers Vulnerable as Agency Leans into AI Technology
Federal agencies are eager to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the wake of a recent groundbreaking executive order on AI from the White House.
New practices often come with new vulnerabilities for federal managers – and a FEDS professional liability insurance (PLI) policy can protect you.
Who will fill AI positions?
To facilitate the government-wide AI hiring surge, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has approved direct hire authority for a variety of federal positions, including IT specialist, computer scientist and engineer, and management and program analyst. Direct hire authority speeds up agency hiring by eliminating certain candidate ranking and rating procedures.
When will AI hiring begin?
While many agencies are still in the planning phase of AI hiring, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has started executing an aggressive recruiting strategy to fill positions. DHS plans to leverage OPM’s direct hire authority to recruit 50 AI technology experts in 2024.
What will attract applicants?
Although AI experts are offered far higher salaries in the private sector than DHS can offer, agency officials are hoping that their aggressive recruiting strategy combined with the appeal of their mission – countering drug networks, delivering immigration services, and combatting child sexual exploitation and abuse – and the opportunity to work on cutting edge technology will draw candidates in.
Where does this leave DHS managers?
Managers tasked with hiring have their work cut out for them; salary offerings and unfinished plans for AI applications may make hiring difficult. Because of DHS’s hefty hiring goals for 2024, managers could face adverse action if their performance does not help meet these goals. Additionally, managers may have to worry about how retention in these AI technology positions could reflect on them.
Training and managing new employees in new positions can also come with difficulties. If employees do not progress at the rate they are expected to or make errors while on the job, federal managers may be subject to allegations of mismanagement, which can lead to investigations, disciplinary hearings, and even personal capacity lawsuits.
Why do federal managers need FEDS PLI?
If an allegation is made against you, it is a necessity, not luxury, to have knowledgeable and effective counsel advocating on your behalf. As a federal manager, you need to have counsel that has specific federal experience representing you and your professional vulnerabilities. As the professional liability insurance (PLI) provider endorsed by the leading federal employee associations, FEDS Protection can help.
FEDS Protection offers federal employee PLI policies with $1 million, $2 million, or $3 million in civil liability protection for attorney’s fees and indemnity costs in the event you are sued in your civil capacity. The
FEDS policy also includes $200,000 of legal representation coverage per incident for administrative actions and $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense costs. Annual premiums for FEDS Protection PLI start at just $290. Additionally, federal managers and law enforcement officers are eligible for a reimbursement of up to 50% the cost of their PLI policy through their agency. To learn more about how a FEDS PLI policy can protect you and your career, visit www.fedsprotection.com or call (866) 955-FEDS, M-F 8:30am-6pm.
*This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.