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U.S. Office of Special Counsel Provides Guidance on Hatch Act Compliance for Federal Employees

U.S. Office of Special Counsel Provides Guidance on Hatch Act Compliance for Federal Employees

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC) is reminding federal employees about the importance of adhering to the Hatch Act, particularly in the aftermath of elections. The OSC emphasizes that while federal employees are citizens in their personal time, they must remain non-partisan while on duty, in federal buildings, or using government accounts. This includes refraining from partisan posts during work hours, even when teleworking or eating lunch at their desks. Additionally, federal employees are prohibited from soliciting campaign donations from coworkers, whether on or off duty, as such actions can lead to career termination. The OSC offers an advisory-opinion service for employees who are unsure about the permissibility of specific activities, encouraging them to seek guidance before acting. This guidance aims to help federal employees navigate political activity while upholding the principles of the merit system.

Governor Patrick Morrisey Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Former Governor and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller

Governor Patrick Morrisey Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Former Governor and U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey has issued a proclamation ordering United States and West Virginia flags at the State Capitol Complex and all state-owned facilities across West Virginia to be flown at half-staff. This directive is in honor of former Governor and U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV, who passed away at the age of 89. The flags will remain at half-staff from the date of the proclamation through sunrise on Friday, November 13, 2026. Governor Morrisey stated that West Virginia has lost a man who devoted much of his life to serving the state and its people, acknowledging Rockefeller's nearly five-decade career in public service, which included two terms as governor and 30 years in the U.S. Senate. He extended condolences to Rockefeller's family.

VA Secretary Doug Collins Announces Hiring of Over 2,000 Employees to Address Surging Claims

VA Secretary Doug Collins Announces Hiring of Over 2,000 Employees to Address Surging Claims

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is set to hire over 2,000 additional claims processors across the United States during fiscal year 2027. This initiative aims to manage the increasing volume of disability and pension claims filed by veterans. VA Secretary Doug Collins stated that these new hires are crucial for continuing the department's progress in claims processing volume, speed, and accuracy. In fiscal year 2026, the VA processed a record 3.1 million compensation and pension claims, while receiving over 3.15 million new claims, marking an approximate 80% increase compared to 2022. The VA currently employs more than 13,000 individuals in claims processing, achieving a 93.88% accuracy rate in fiscal year 2026, with only 3.2% of decisions appealed. The new employees will be responsible for reviewing disability claims, evaluating supporting evidence, and applying federal laws and regulations to determine benefit eligibility. The VA is actively encouraging veterans and others to apply for these posit...

U.S. Government Seeks Electrical Engineers for High-Voltage Transmission Network Roles

U.S. Government Seeks Electrical Engineers for High-Voltage Transmission Network Roles

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Energy, is actively recruiting Electrical Engineers for positions within its Transmission Services division. These roles focus on Transmission Planning, specifically in areas such as Reliability Planning, Service Planning, Infrastructure Development Planning, and Capabilities Planning. Successful candidates will be tasked with performing a wide range of professional engineering studies and assignments related to high-voltage transmission networks. The job announcement outlines specific qualification requirements, including a bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited program or a combination of education and experience demonstrating a thorough knowledge of physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering. Specialized experience requirements vary by GS level, ranging from assisting with basic engineering tasks at the GS-9 level to planning and executing complex electrical studies and designs for ...

Peace Corps Reinforces Intelligence Background Checks and Drug-Free Workplace Policies for New Hires

Peace Corps Reinforces Intelligence Background Checks and Drug-Free Workplace Policies for New Hires

The Peace Corps, a U.S. government agency focused on international volunteer work, is emphasizing its strict employment policies, particularly regarding intelligence affiliations and drug use. According to a recent job announcement, the agency explicitly prohibits the employment of individuals who have been involved in intelligence activities or connected with intelligence agencies within the past 10 years. This includes an outright ban on anyone who has ever worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Furthermore, acceptance of employment with the Peace Corps precludes future employment by certain intelligence organizations for a specified period after Peace Corps service ends. The agency also maintains a drug-free workplace policy, requiring pre-employment drug testing and subjecting employees to random drug testing. All new hires must undergo E-Verify to confirm their eligibility to work in the United States. These measures are part of the Peace Corps' broader commitment to maintaining its operati...

Peace Corps Volunteers Reflect on 15 Years of Service in Korea, Highlighting Enduring U.S.-Korea Ties

Peace Corps Volunteers Reflect on 15 Years of Service in Korea, Highlighting Enduring U.S.-Korea Ties

The Peace Corps sent over 2,000 American volunteers to Korea between 1966 and 1981, a period when Korea was one of the world's poorest nations following Japanese occupation and the Korean War. These volunteers, known as PCVs, provided crucial development assistance, primarily focusing on English education in middle schools and universities, as well as health education and care for patients with tuberculosis and leprosy. U.S. President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961 with the goals of helping countries meet their need for trained individuals, promoting a better understanding of America abroad, and helping Americans understand other cultures. Volunteers underwent intensive training, including Korean language instruction and acculturation, before being deployed to various towns across Korea. Many PCVs reported gaining more from their experience than they gave, forming lifelong friendships and contributing to a deeper understanding between the two nations. The mission concluded in 1981 due ...

Peace Corps Seeks Middle School English Teachers for Timor-Leste, Applications Open Until November 2026

Peace Corps Seeks Middle School English Teachers for Timor-Leste, Applications Open Until November 2026

The Peace Corps is actively recruiting educators for middle school English teaching positions in Timor-Leste, with applications being accepted until November 15, 2026. This initiative is part of the agency's broader mission, established in 1961 by executive order, to send American volunteers abroad to support education, health, agriculture, and community development. Volunteers in Timor-Leste will collaborate with local schools to facilitate training, assist with teacher workshops, support English clubs and extracurricular activities, and help educators implement new methodologies in classroom settings. The goal is to enhance teachers' confidence in curriculum reforms, leading to consistent and higher-quality instruction across municipalities, thereby expanding students' academic and professional opportunities. The Peace Corps, which has supplied over 187,000 volunteers to more than 135 countries, operates as a government agency focused on international affairs and volunteer work in various development are...

Schumacher Auto Group to Pay $112,500 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Settlement

Schumacher Auto Group to Pay $112,500 in EEOC Disability Discrimination Settlement

Schumacher Auto Group, a car dealership company based in Palm Beach County, has agreed to pay $112,500 and implement significant policy and training reforms to resolve a disability discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The lawsuit alleged that Schumacher terminated an accounting clerk in May 2024 while she was on leave recovering from cancer-related surgery. Upon her request for reasonable accommodations to return to work, which included a five-pound lifting restriction and no repetitive squatting, bending, or lifting for three weeks, the company fired her. The EEOC asserted that this conduct violates the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which mandates employers to provide reasonable accommodations for known disabilities unless it causes undue hardship and prohibits discrimination based on disability. The settlement was reached through a four-year consent decree, which also requires Schumacher to adopt a comprehensive disability accommodation policy,...

Department of the Army Seeks Security Specialist for National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, VA

Department of the Army Seeks Security Specialist for National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, VA

The Department of the Army is seeking a Security Specialist (Personnel) for the National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) in Charlottesville, VA. This position falls under the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) and requires adherence to U.S. Code, Title 10, and Department of Defense Instruction 1400.25. The selected individual will be responsible for implementing, administering, and monitoring NGIC's Personnel Security Program. Key duties include granting clearances and accesses based on background investigations and regulatory requirements, reviewing investigation results to determine appropriate actions, and coordinating with affected agencies when clearances are suspended, denied, or revoked. The role also involves overseeing foreign travel and reporting programs in accordance with current regulations and managing security databases. Applicants must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for sensitive compartmented information (SCI) and ...

U.S. Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran's Nuclear Program Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

U.S. Offers $20 Million Reward for Information on Iran's Nuclear Program Amid Ongoing Diplomatic Efforts

The U.S. government, through its State Department's Rewards for Justice program, has announced a reward of up to $20 million for information concerning Iran's nuclear program. This includes details on facilities, equipment, associated personnel, and the movement of any related items. The announcement comes as diplomatic efforts, mediated by Qatar, continue to address differences between the U.S. and Iran regarding Tehran's nuclear activities. Iran has consistently maintained that its nuclear program is peaceful. However, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported in 2025 that Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity, a level considered a short technical step from weapons-grade uranium. The IAEA has also expressed concerns about a loss of 'continuity of knowledge' regarding Iran's production and inventory of key nuclear components due to non-compliance with safeguards obligations. The U.S. government has reiterated its commitment to preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Office of the Director of National Intelligence Seeks Data Analyst to Enhance Oversight and Modernization

Office of the Director of National Intelligence Seeks Data Analyst to Enhance Oversight and Modernization

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is actively recruiting a Data Analyst for its Intelligence Community Office of the Inspector General (IC OIG). This position, open to the public and current federal employees, aims to bolster the IC OIG's mission of identifying and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct across the 18 elements of the Intelligence Community. The Data Analyst will be crucial in transforming raw data into actionable information, supporting the modernization of IC OIG operations. Key responsibilities include using programming and data engineering to ensure data integrity, reducing manual reporting through data integration, and applying knowledge of ETL, databases, and cloud technologies to improve data access. The role also involves designing and implementing AI/ML models and advanced analytics to accelerate data-driven decision-making, collaborating with stakeholders, and visualizing data through dashboards and reports. Candidates are expected to possess a bach...

SBA Official Urges Industry Input on Proposed Small Business Size Standard Changes

SBA Official Urges Industry Input on Proposed Small Business Size Standard Changes

SBA Official Urges Industry Input on Proposed Small Business Size Standard Changes