OPM Launches Tech Force to Recruit Emerging Federal Talent
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced the launch of the “U.S. Tech Force.” This initiative aims to enrich the federal workforce with emerging technical talent, focusing on filling critical technical roles within government agencies.
Recruitment Goals and Strategy
The OPM is set to hire 1,000 new federal employees for the inaugural class of the Tech Force. This recruitment will be conducted through a pooled hiring approach. Various agencies will be able to nominate candidates for two-year roles related to modernization projects.
- Participating agencies include the Departments of State, Treasury, Defense, and others.
- Initial hires will typically be placed at GS-13 or GS-14 levels, with salaries ranging from $130,000 to $195,000.
Focus Areas of the Tech Force
The Tech Force is specifically targeting candidates with expertise in:
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Software Engineering
- Data Science
OPM Director Scott Kupor emphasized the importance of attracting early-career talent to address two gaps: technical expertise and workforce renewal.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications for the Tech Force are now open, with candidates being evaluated on a rolling basis. The agency aims to complete the recruitment of 1,000 employees by the end of March.
This initiative is particularly pertinent following the loss of over 300,000 federal workers due to recent workforce restructuring efforts. Recruitment will also align with annual staffing plans submitted by agencies this month.
Previous Initiatives and Comparisons
The Tech Force builds on past federal hiring efforts, including the Obama administration’s U.S. Digital Service and the Biden administration’s U.S. Digital Corps. These programs similarly sought to recruit technical talent for specific agency projects but differed in execution and scale.
Kupor noted that the current approach will involve full-time placements within agencies, rather than project-based hires.
Collaboration and Long-term Goals
To enhance recruitment efforts, OPM is collaborating with over 20 private tech companies and educational institutions. These partnerships aim to attract diverse talent and offer greater career flexibility between public and private sectors.
OPM plans to repeat this pooled hiring strategy annually, continually refreshing the talent pool in federal agencies. This model is expected to streamline the hiring process and improve agency efficiency.
With these ambitious goals, the Tech Force initiative represents a significant step toward modernizing the federal workforce and addressing the pressing need for technological expertise.
