Hispanic federal managers renew call to hire more Hispanic employees

• Hispanic federal managers have renewed their call for agencies to hire more Hispanic employees. Members of the Hispanic Council of Federal Employment urged President Donald Trump to make the hiring and advancement of Latino employees a priority. Such efforts date back to at least 2000. That’s when President Bill Clinton signed an executive order to that effect. The Obama administration created the council itself in 2011. But Council co-chair Hector Sanchez said agencies have little money to carry out the policy. (Office of Personnel Management)

• The Trump administration has asked Apple, Google, and other major tech companies for help in rethinking how federal agencies use technology. The technology news website Recode said the White House is forming small “centers of excellence” teams, where tech engineers working for companies could serve “tours of duty” advising the government on digital challenges. (Recode)

• A new process to ensure cloud services are secure is almost ready. The cloud security program known as FedRAMP plans to finalize its new approach to low-risk cloud services by the end of August. Called FedRAMP tailored, the goal of the new process is to make it easier for agencies and vendors alike to get approval for cloud applications or systems that don’t hold sensitive data. At the same time, FedRAMP is accepting business cases through Aug. 25 from vendors who want their governmentwide cloud services to go through the Joint Authorization Board or JAB process.

• A new tool from the Agriculture Department helps struggling farmers get up and running. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue signed an agreement to connect new farmers with business mentors through the nonprofit SCORE. SCORE connects with other non-profits, schools, and banks already helping new farmers, and plans mentorship sessions for existing growers. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)

• The Senate has confirmed Rear Adm. Althea Coetzee as the new deputy administrator of the Small Business Administration. She will serve under SBA administrator Linda McMahon. Supporters said Coatzee’s management experience in the Navy and as a small business owner will help her serve the administration. (Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee)

• The Air Force is making an effort to keep senior enlisted airmen with cyber or mechanical skills in the service. Noncommissioned officers working in undermanned occupations can apply for higher year tenure extensions. The extensions allow airmen to stay in their current rank longer without having to be promoted or forced out the military. (Federal News Radio)

• Another step the Air Force is taking to make things easier for members, it’s cutting down the volume of instructions for airmen over the next two years, in order to give them more flexibility in their personal lives. Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson said the plan is to cut 40 percent of instructions which are out of date or unnecessary. (Air Force)

• With drones being used more and more in the defense sector, the Trump administration hsa launched a review of the Obama era drone export policy to see if it can make it easier to ship U.S. made systems overseas. Defense News reports the White House is conducting the review of the 2015 UAV export policy, as part of a broader look at how it can modernize and seek smarter new approaches to U.S. defense trade policy. The review is said to be in the early stages. (Defense News)

• The Combined Federal Campaign will start a month later than usual from October through January this year. The Office of Personnel Management is pushing back the start date to give local campaign areas more time to administer several new changes, including a new online donor pledging system. The system will take payroll deductions, credit and debit cards, and e-Check options. CFC won’t take cash donations at campaign events this year. Federal retirees can also contribute to the campaign for the first time. (Chief Human Capital Officers Council)

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