Fedweek

Separately, DoD Secretary Ashton Carter has reiterated the Pentagon’s desire for changes in civilian personnel policies, including “direct hire” authority to make a tentative offer of employment to college students at events such as job fairs, rather than having to steer interested students to the USAJobs site. He also called for broadening the existing: career development programs for civilian employees; authorities to directly hire highly qualified experts; talent exchange programs between the department and the private sector; and the scholarship for service program that pays college costs in fields such as cybersecurity with a virtually guaranteed job, along with a service commitment, on graduation. He also advocated paid parental leave for federal employees, without specifying how many weeks; the Obama administration several times has formally requested allowing six weeks of paid time but Congress has not acted on it. Carter’s remarks came in a speech focusing mainly on planned changes in military personnel policy.