Fedweek

A Senate committee has set a confirmation hearing for tomorrow (February 4) for acting OPM director Beth Cobert to formally take over the position, to which she was assigned from OMB last summer following the resignation of former director Katherine Archuleta. During that time Cobert has concentrated on the response to the computer hacking incidents that compelled Archuleta’s resignation—and has sought to repair the damage to the agency’s relations with Capitol Hill. The hearing likely will focus on the response efforts—as well as on the recently announced reorganization of background investigations in the wake of the breaches. That overhaul will result in creation of a new entity housed in OPM and report to its director but which will be headed by a presidential appointee who also will be a member of an interagency council. Other initiatives under Cobert have included attempting to make government more attractive to those in high-demand occupations, especially cybersecurity, through steps such as loosening restrictions on incentive payments; emphasizing engagement of employees and more feedback from supervisors in all stages of the performance evaluation process; encouraging career development opportunities for prospective and current senior executives; and continuing the emphasis on hiring veterans.