Fedweek

DHS has put out a call for federal employees to join its “surge capacity force” for special assignments for on-site relief work related to Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Primary needs include storage and movement of materials, providing the public with information about available disaster assistance programs, providing individual aid, and monitoring debris. Further information is on the DHS site.

Also, FEMA and the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association have teamed to encourage federal retirees to return to the government on a temporary basis to help with that agency’s relief programs.

FEMA said assistance is needed in particular to help process applications for disaster loans and it is looking for lawyers, paralegals and legal assistants, damage verifiers, loan specialists, program support assistants and call center specialists, public information officers, customer service representatives, IT specialists, construction analysts, and administrative support assistants.

Available positions are on the USAJobs site. NARFE said that retirees seeking a waiver of the general requirement of an offset between salary and annuity in reemployment should specifically request that waiver in their applications.