Partnerships to Improve Public Service
Tune in to FEDtalk this week for a discussion on improving public service- from the institutional level to the individual level. Guests from across the federal community will discuss how they work together to build a better public service system.
OPM Releases Final Job Family Position Classification and Qualification Standards for Implementation
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has released for implementation the final Job Family Position Classification and Qualification Standards for professional and administrative occupations in the Accounting, Auditing, and Budget Group, 0500.
Federal Circuit: Hasty Probationary Period Removal Motivated by Preference-Eligible Status
The Social Security Administration removed a preference-eligible veteran from his position as an attorney advisor near the end of his one-year probationary period due to allegedly poor performance. The employee filed for corrective action with the Merit Systems Protection Board, alleging that the agency violated the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) when it removed him because of his preference-eligible status. An MSPB administrative judge denied the request for corrective action, and the employee appealed to the Federal Circuit. On November 7, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reversed the MSPB decision, and remanded the case to the MSPB for a determination of the appropriate corrective action.
White House Issues Update to National Strategic Computing Initiative
The White House National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) has released an updated National Strategic Computing Imitative on Pioneering the Future of Computing. The plan builds upon the 2016 plan in an effort to further engage partners in government, academia, and industry. The plan acknowledges the success of the current strategic computing plan and works to build upon this success.
Appropriations Update: House Passes Continuing Resolution to Fund Government Until Dec. 20
Lawmakers in the House of Representatives passed a temporary funding measure, or continuing resolution (CR), to fund the government until December 20. House members voted Tuesday with the hopes of moving the legislation to the Senate for a vote later in the week and onto the president’s desk for signature before the current CR expires at midnight on Thursday.
USDA Disaster Nutrition Assistance Programs
For National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, this video highlights how the USDA uses nutritional assistance programs following natural disasters to ensure victims have access to food resources.
How To Help Homeless Veterans
The National Park Service is a staple agency for many Americans. The History Channel dives into the NPS’ roots.
Federal Manager Allegations Are Unsettling
For federal managers, ignorance is expensive. Know your exposures and the protections available to you.
Understanding Open Season Options
Host Tony Vergnetti will sit down with Joan Melanson from Long Term Care Partners and Kathleen Proctor, David Yoder, and William Breskin from Blue Cross Blue Shield Association to discuss what this Open Season has to offer.
Bipartisan Budget Reform Bill Passes out of Senate Committee
The Senate Budget Committee advanced legislation last week to reform the congressional budget process, the first bipartisan budget reform bill to pass the Committee since 1990.
NAPA Outlines ‘Grand Challenges’ In Public Administration
The Grand Challenges fall into four categories: Protecting and Advancing Democracy, Strengthening Social and Economic Development, Ensuring Environmental Sustainability, and Managing Technological Changes.
OPM Releases Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Results
Results indicate that happiness among federal employees increased slightly in 2019, although most large agencies saw little change.
VA Launches Virtual Exam Stations in Rural Communities
The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Project Atlas seeks to bring telehealth services to rural communities where veterans lack internet connectivity in their homes. The agency has announced a partnership with private sector groups to test 10 remote telehealth patient examination rooms in locations across the country in coming months.
New Cyber Standards May Shrink Contractor Pool
Officials at the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) have expressed confusion about whether new vendor cybersecurity standards will limit the number of vendors that qualify for critical government technology projects.
The Power Of Public Service In Massachusetts
Huey and Maya head to Boston to visit their next big federal destination: the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum on Columbia Point.
OIG Identifies ‘Significant Deficiencies’ Within VA Whistleblower Office
The OIG found that OAWP failed to conduct unbiased investigations of VA executives and managers, used untrained staff to conduct its investigations, failed to conduct thorough fact-findings, and placed whistleblowers in greater harm for having engaged in whistleblowing to the office.
Here's How The National Park Service Got Started
The National Park Service is a staple agency for many Americans. The History Channel dives into the NPS’ roots.
Lawmakers Push for .Gov Domains for Local Governments
Lawmakers have expressed fears that a mixed bag of domain names for local governments can promote “spoofing” and lead to cyberattacks.