Workforce

  • The Service to America Medals honor federal employees who go above and beyond their job descriptions to serve the public. For the next few months, Federal News Radio will be speaking to many of the finalists. On today's Federal Drive, Tom Temin and Emily Kopp spoke with Miguel Roman, a research scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His studies of thermal infrared imaging technology have helped authorities detect and fight wildfires. He's also used satellite imagery to quantify electricity use worldwide and map the impact of storms on the power grid. View photos and read more about each of this year's 33 finalists. In addition, read a Q&A with Miguel Román.

    May 19, 2014
  • In Part 4 of the special report, Questioning Clearances, Federal News Radio examines the government's plan to use new technology to keep better tabs on cleared personnel on a near, real-time basis. But some experts wonder whether such a plan could be implemented successfully in the swift timelines sought by the government.

    May 18, 2014
  • Federal News Radio speaks with Recreation News Editor Marvin Bond about fun things to do in and near the nation's capital.

    May 17, 2014
  • Mark Schroeder and Fred Burton from Stratfor, will give us an update on terrorist activities around the world, and the latest news on the Mexican drug war. May 16, 2014

    May 16, 2014
  • The White House wants agencies to double their use of renewable energy. Agencies have until 2016 to come up with $2 billion in energy savings performance contracts above and beyond what they've already committed to. Dorothy Robyn is the former commissioner of the Public Buildings Service at the General Services Administration. She joined Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive to discuss what agencies can do to take on this new push.

    May 16, 2014
  • Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, said Thursday the committee plans to mark up a bill on May 21 to give DHS more tools to hire cyber workers more easily.

    May 16, 2014
  • This week AFGE's "Inside Government" explores LGBT employee issues in the federal workplace with Frank Fragomene, an EEO specialist and attorney from the AFGE Women's and Fair Practices Department; Sasha Buchert, a staff attorney at the Transgender Law Center; and, Darren Phelps, the AFL-CIO executive director of Pride at Work. Cheryl Eliano, the AFGE local 1920 president, also joins the program and discusses her experience during both of the shootings at Fort Hood.

    May 16, 2014
  • A new memo details about eight major changes to the education and knowledge requirement for civilian agency contracting officers. It calls for more than just training but a deeper knowledge of acquisition roles, responsibilities and how to ensure success.

    May 16, 2014
  • What's maybe going to top the summer must-read list for federal workers? It's one of the hottest topics in government: phased retirement. Coming soon, we think, to a cubicle near you, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    May 16, 2014
  • The General Services Administration is undertaking renovations of federally-owned buildings across the country. The modernized structures will save money, in part by reducing energy and water consumption. Locally, the agency has completed a makeover of the Parklawn Building in Rockville, Maryland. The once homely behemoth has gotten more than a face-lift. Victoria Hartke, director of the Office of Leasing at the General Services Administration's Public Buildings Service, spoke about the renovation with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp on the Federal Drive.

    May 15, 2014
  • Issa Koroma, a former pharmacy technician at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland, was convicted of stealing prescription drugs from Walter Reed and the Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia.

    May 15, 2014
  • Jennifer Mattingley, director of government affairs for Shaw, Bransford and Roth, and Andy Medici from the Federal Times will give us an update on legislation affecting federal workers. May 14, 2014

    May 14, 2014
  • The long hunting season on federal bureaucrats just got longer -- and with an expanded range of targets: Including your retirement plan and your boss's job security, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.

    May 14, 2014
  • Ten years ago, the federal government was faced with a crisis in managing security clearances: costly delays and backlogs in performing background investigations. The Office of Personnel Management stepped in and tremendous progress clearing the backlog and meeting strict new timelines mandated by Congress. But some critics now worry too much focus has been put on speed in the process — and not enough attention has been given to quality. In our special report, Questioning Clearances, Federal News Radio examines why efforts to measure the quality of background investigations have stalled.

    May 14, 2014