John Hatton, Staff Vice President of Policy and Programs at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) joined me on the podcast to discuss what NARFE is, does and how it can help you. He also discussed the ups and downs of this year's FEHB open season.

https://www.narfe.org/membership-who-can-join/?utm_source=7M6&utm_campaign=NARFE_GoogleAds_Join_Search_09262023&gad_source=1 

Kevin Moss of Consumers'Checkbook is on the show to talk about the major changes in health insurance options. It's open season, y'all! Even if you love your plan, shop around.  Open Season ends on December 9th. 

His organization offers an amazing calculator that can help you make the best choice for your family. Listeners of the podcast get a discount using the code FedUpward to get 20% this already well-priced tool!

Find the calculator here.

Raymond Limon, vice chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board (MPSB) joined me on the show to discuss what the MPSB is, what it does and why it matters. If you havent' taken training on this recently, tune in for a refresher.

He also surprised me  by administering the oath of office as a way to celebrate my new federal job! 

https://www.mspb.gov/

If you need a refresher on the merit systems principles and prohibited practices:

Find merit systems principles here.

Find prohibited practices here.

And if you REALLY want to dig in, check out Biography of an Ideal: the Hstory of the Federal Civil Serivce.

https://dml.armywarcollege.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/OPM-Biography-of-an-Ideal-History-of-Civil-Service-2003.pdf

It's Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), y'all!! To honor amazing feds, the Partnership for Public Service awards the Service to America Medals (Sammies) to deserving public servants working to better the nation everyday. Listen to my interview with 2021 Sammies finalist Mary Gibert from the General Services Administration. She discusses the work she did to prepare the Trump and Biden teams for transition activities, and gives advice for new feds.

It's Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), y'all!! To honor amazing feds, the Partnership for Public Service awards the Service to America Medals (Sammies) to deserving public servants working to better the nation everyday. Listen to my interview with 2021 Sammies finalist Mary Frances Matthews of Veterans Affairs. She discusses the work she does, and gives advice for new feds.

https://servicetoamericamedals.org/honorees/kenneth-graham/

On Wednesday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. EDT, the Partnership and Axos will air a virtual event to recognize the 2021 Service to America Medal finalists. Click here to head to Axios.com.

It's Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), y'all!! To honor amazing feds, the Partnership for Public Service awards the Service to America Medals (Sammies) to deserving public servants working to better the nation everyday. Listen to my interview with 2021 Sammies finalist Kenneth Graham of the National Hurricane Center. He discusses the work he does, and dishes advice for new feds.

https://servicetoamericamedals.org/honorees/kenneth-graham/

On Wednesday, May 5, at 12:30 p.m. EDT, the Partnership and Axos will air a virtual event to recognize the 2021 Service to America Medal finalists. Click here to head to Axios.com.

Dr. Theresa Horne - Army veteran, former federal civilian employee, leader, coach, talent management professional - explains how you can get started with a succession plan and what diversity, equity and inclusion factors to consider moving forward. She offers strategies and resources to help you start thinking about how to set your team up for success as it grows and changes.

Dr. Horne will speak to these issues and more at the ATD Government Workforce conference May 25-27, 2021. Learn more and register for the event at the link below.

https://governmentworkforce.td.org/speakers

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), the largest federal employee union, recently fought to bring union representation back into EPA's physical spaces. Spoiler alert: they won. On the show to talk about recent events and what unions do, is steward Brian Kelly. Find Brian Kelly @AFGE704_EPA

To read more about the agreement between EPA and AFGE, visit EPA Workers' Rights Restored

To learn about becoming a union member or how to organize your workplace, visit AFGE National

afge.org/member-benefits/join/

twitter.com/AFGENational

facebook.com/afgeunion

youtube.com/user/afgeonline

We've worked remotely for over a year now and it's obvious that some level of telework will continue. Enter Alexis Gerst. She's an Air Force officer who saw a need and filled it. Her book, "Leading Remote Teams," chronicles her experience working through the pandemic shifts, bridging generational divides, and keeping her team engaged. Tap into the lessons she learned in this podcast. 

Connect with her here:

www.alexisgerst.com

Her book hits Amazon April 13th, 2021.

Do you know your rights as a supervisor and an employee after the recent court ruling on performance improvement plans (the Santos v. NASA case)? Deborah Hopkins, president of the Federal Employee Law Training Group, covers what you need to know about the decision ,and about performance management in general. 

https://feltg.com/

https://www.govexec.com/workforce/2021/03/landmark-ruling-court-raises-threshold-firing-feds/172797/

Ever wished you could chat with a federal job recruiter and pick his or her brain for a bit? Kenny Rios, Diversity Recruitment Program Manager at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), chatted with me about cover letters, resume tips and how to get your foot in the door. He delivers no-nonsense advice that we all need. 

https://www.intelligencecareers.gov/nga/index.html

Here's another professional organization that you should consider joining for the networking and development opportunities it offers. I chatted with national president of Federally Employed Women, Karen Rainey, to get her perspective on what she and her team offer.

https://www.few.org/

Lindy Kyzer of Clearance Jobs joined me on the podcast to talk about the current state of the job market for clearance holders and what CJ has to offer. Join us at the Clearance Jobs Connect 2024 event on October 3rd. Listen for details and click below to register now!

 https://about.clearancejobs.com/employers/events/clearancejobs-connect-2024

Govvies can take $100 off the ticket price by using this code at registration:  GOVSQUIRREL

Lindy and I discussed topics that come up often on the CJ site, and here's one you might want to take a look at:

https://www.clearancejobsblog.com/two-illegal-drug-use-cases-one-clearance-granted-and-one-not/

Heard of the Senior Executives Association (SEA)? Did you know you can join as a GS-12 and work on some of the biggest challenges across government with high level executives?

Mr. Marcus Hill, the highly respected SEA member and former senior advisor to the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, chatted with me about what the organization does, upcoming events, networking opportunities and how to join. 

https://seniorexecs.org/

Mr. Hill also mentioned several resources he recommended.

School of Greatness Podcast

The Effective Executive

Leadership on the Line

A Sense of Urgency

Quiet Strength

The Laws of Success

Words of Life

This month I'm continuing to focus on professional organizations that can truly help you move forward in your federal government career. I spent time with #NatSecGirlSquad's founder Maggie Feldman Piltch. We talked about the networking opportunities her organization offers, events, how to make the most out of membership, and the wave of women coming into important positions during this Administration. 

To become a member (I'm one), sign up here: https://www.natsecgirlsquad.com/

If you haven't already heard of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, you should listen to this episode with Joyce Warner and then head to:

https://feea.org/

Don't miss out on the opportunity to apply for scholarship money. Click the link below for application instructions.The deadline to apply is Thursday, March 25, 2021, at 3:00pm Eastern Daylight Time

https://feea.org/our-programs/scholarships/

Are you a student looking for paths into federal service? Or have you been in government for years and get asked all the time by your neighbor/friend/relative how to get a federal job? The Gov Geeks, Javier and Karen Lopez, have answers for you. They offer coaching and training services to public servants and in this episode, they outline three main avenues to federal employment. you can find them at the link below:

https://www.thegovgeeks.com/

https://www.thegovgeeks.com/podcast/episode/c0d362fa/federal-career-paths-for-students

https://www.gsa.gov/shared-services

Here's Dept of State's site on the Pathways Intern Program:

https://careers.state.gov/interns-fellows/pathways/

Meet Laura Maristany of the Democracy Fund, whose mission includes increasing inclusivity in the offices of folks who represent us on the Hill. She and others created Capitol Strong, a network of organizations offering support to staff members on Capitol Hill to work through issues resulting from the events of January 6th. HR support in congressional offices differs from one office to the next. Laura and team are working to ensure all staffers on the Hill get the support and resources they deserve.

https://capitolstrong.org/

Democracy Fund is an independent and nonpartisan, private foundation that confronts deep-rooted challenges in American democracy while defending against new threats. Since 2014, the org  has made grants of more than $150 million in support of those working to strengthen our democracy through the pursuit of a vibrant and diverse public square, free and fair elections, effective and accountable government, and a just and inclusive society.

https://democracyfund.org/

Constructive Politics Link

Have you checked out the resources Blacks in Government offers its members? As Alesia Smith discusses, BIG offers opportunities for mentoring, networking, and leadership. Learn how this organization can help you move up and around in your career. Ms. Smith is a motivated young professional looking to help her peers find the right resources to enhance their government careers.

http://www.bignet.org/

Founded during Black History Month back in 2002, AAFEA is here to help you reach your career goals. They offer tons of scholarship, recognition and networking opportunities you can find here:

https://aafea.org/

This Black History Month, listen to my interview with Executive Director Ms. Tyra Dent Smith outline what AAFEA does and how they can help you.

I interviewed Becky Brown, fed and owner of Federalisms - a card company that focuses on products for federal employees. We talk through what it's like to get our own businesses off the ground while following the guidelines for federal employees. She's gotten amazing press for her work and sets a great example for those of us working on our entrepreneurial pursuits!

https://www.federalisms.com/

On Instagram, you can find Becky here - @cardsforfeds.

I sat down with Lindy Kyzer of ClearanceJobs.com to talk about the impact participation in the chaos of January 6th could have real implications for your security clearance adjudication. While we try to steer clear of over political discussions (which is hard at this point), I want to be clear that I in NO WAY endorse or support feds who participated in acts of violence on January 6th. I wanted to have this discussion to remind all of us who took an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States that we need to understand the consequences of certain physical and online activities. 

In this episode, I read from the article below:

https://news.clearancejobs.com/2011/01/19/allegiance-to-the-united-states-and-security-clearances/

We've been teleworking (mostly) for months. What happens when - hopefully - COVID infection rates slow down and things are back to normal (whatever that means anymore)? Will we keep teleworking? Change our duty station locations and all live in rural areas that are cheaper while doing the same jobs? See reductions in locality pay? More positions that are exclusively telework? Transformation and government expert Mika Cross makes her predictions in this episode. You can find her at the link below:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/worklifechampionoftheuniverse

Longtime listeners probably remember episode 131 - https://www.fedupwardcoaching.com/podcast/episode/3675202c/131-what-i-learned-from-my-failed-ses-application

Well, I kept at it and got through the SES process successfully! In this episode I walk through the lessons I learned and things that surprised me about the process this time. 

For the basics on executive core qualitification, head here.

How can we start 2021 strong? I have a few ideas. I'm doing my best to tackle issues that 2020 made way worse - what about you? I'll give you a few tips for getting organized and focusing on what's important.

Subscribe and leave a review. While you're at it, head to FedUpward.com to sign up for the mailing list today.

Rules about lunch breaks in the federal government are basically urban myths - no one knows where they originated and aren't sure if they're true. Government Worker Fi - my friend with a blog about fed gov finances - breaks down what he found researching lunch break rules. The answer is - it depends. Listen to hear the ins and outs of breaks and then head over to his blog to learn more.

https://governmentworkerfi.com/

How you gonna win when you ain't right within? Lauryn Hill knew. And so does Dr. Patrick Malone at American University. If you don't have yourself straight, you can't lead. You can't win. 

How many of us have worked for a boss who got promoted based on his or her technical skills, but that person can't lead, isn't empathetic, and wants to stay in the weeds instead of think strategically? We've all been there. Dr. Malone helps us avoid being that guy by offering tips and reading suggestions to get us thinking and acting like a leader.

Find Dr. Malone and the AU programs here:

https://www.american.edu/spa/key/

https://www.american.edu/spa/faculty/pmalone.cfmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEI7n99gsyk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEI7n99gsyk

This one's for the federal employee parents out there. If you make less than $100k and you're a fed, you're eligible to get FREE help for your children in ANY subject, as well as parent coaching from professionals. The director of the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund, Joyce Warner, discussed how you can take advantage of this offer.

Listen and then head over to:

https://feea.org/our-programs/tutoring/

It's that time of year again. As we near the start of 2021, you should review all your benefits elections and your Thrift Savings Plan contributions. Back to give you professional advice, Chris Kowalik of FedImpact.com delivers a tutorial on TSP, the funds you can choose, what the Lifecycle Funds are and why they were created and why you ABSOLUTELY should designate a beneficiary, despite what the OPM website might say.

Get comfortable and tackle that adulting you've been putting off - I promise it's not as painful as you might think.

Most of the problems we face as feds aren't new and there are tons of orgs out there doing great work we should leverage. Think tanks are one of the main producers of research products we can use - and you should understand what's out there in your area of expertise.

The amazing Benjamin Wittes joined me to discus what think tanks are and how you can use their output to work smarter, not harder. I connected with him via the fantastic organization, #NatSecGirlSquad. (Not gonna lie - was totally fan-girling while recording this interview. If there was a pantheon of wonk gods, Benjamin Wittes would be in it.)

You can find Mr. Wittes' work in lots of places, but I recommend starting with these links:

https://benjaminwittes.com/

https://www.lawfareblog.com/contributors/bwittes 

https://www.brookings.edu/experts/benjamin-wittes/

https://www.amazon.com/Unmaking-Presidency-Donald-Trumps-Powerful/dp/0374175365

I've developed an online course to help YOU learn the terms and frameworks in the federal government, how to navigate the day-to-day issues that eat up your time, and find training and promotion opportunities. Listen to learn more or sign up now here:

https://fedupward-llc.mykajabi.com/fundamentals

I can't wait to help you reach your goals. 

The non-profit Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility helps protect public employees who protect our environment, natural resources and public health.

I interviewed attorney Paula Dinerstein, PEER's Senior Counsel for 12 years, representing public employees who face interference with their work to protect the environment.

Just a small sample of her enormous range of work, which has tapped into the diverse knowledge of PEER clients who are the inside experts on the work of their agencies, has established important precedents to help whistleblowers hold agencies accountable, forced the Malibu School District to clean up toxic PCBs affecting students and teachers in the classroom, gotten the EPA to adopt lead-safe practices in renovation of older homes and schools, and stopped the US Navy from doing underwater tests that were destroying the marine environment. 

She explains the mechanics of blowing the whistle and the boards and bodies you face to make your case if you're retaliated against.

https://www.peer.org/

We all HOPE we never face a situation as a federal employee that requires us to blow the whistle on behavior that is illegal or just plan wrong. But many feds do end up in that situation and have no idea where to go. The hour long yearly training most of us get doesn't explain the expense, emotional toll and time suck that these cases generally become. Jackie Garrick knows just how taxing the process has been - she recently won her case before the Merit Systems Protection Board. After all she went through, she founded Whistleblowers of America to help others. Find more info here:

https://whistleblowersofamerica.org/

Jason Coleman of FedFam joined me on the show to talk about discounts FedFam negotiated just for you! FedRooms is shutting down and FedFam is stepping in. Learn more about the first great rates here:

https://www.fedfam.org/landing-page

Chris Kowalik knows Federal Employee Health Benefits (FEHB) and she's here to help you navigate through this year's open season, which starts November 9th and ends December 14th. Chris helps feds via courses she teaches and she trains financial planners to help folks like us, too. In this episode, she talks about how to compare plans and what you should consider before you make a change. She also discusses the number one mistake she sees in folks close to retirement.

The bonus PDF for this episode was offered as a non-proprietary support document at my department. I hope you find it helpful.

https://fedimpact.com/

https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/open-season

A friend who works at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency reached out to me months ago about the good work her leadership was doing to promote honest conversations about diversity and inclusion. This episode should have come out MONTHS ago. But due to scheduling and technical issues, it's coming to you during election week 2020, and perhaps this message is exactly what we all need right now. In this episode, Willisa Donald discusses how her office handled diversity and inclusion before and after the executive order on training, how the DTRA director and Ms. Donald's team facilitated REAL talk around hard issues, and how you can do it in your federal agency/department, too.

https://www.dtra.mil/Mission/Equity-Diversity-and-Inclusion-Office/EO-Diversity-and-Inclusion/

Y'all. I have thoughts on the election.

You can use admin leave to vote - more info in the episode. Just vote, ok?

IN the federal government bureaucracy, one thing is for certain - ideas get recycled ALL THE TIME. If you're given a research project, fear not. You can absolutely leverage the work of others. I'm going to explore the work of other people over the course of the next few episodes. In this episode, you'll learn the basics of the Congressional Research Service and the Congressional Budget Office. They produce TONS of reports and products you can leverage to save time and give you great overviews of just about any topic you can imagine. 

Here are their websites:

https://www.cbo.gov/

https://crsreports.congress.gov/

A few weeks ago, I saw a Tweet about a website called Cloture.app for tracking hearings held by congressional committees. Y'all - you NEED to check out this tool. It scrapes data from committee websites and compiles it all in one site that's set up as a calendar. It's easy to use and free thanks to journalist Harrison Cramer of the National Journal. During my interview with him, he ran through why he created the site and how he built it. Federal employees can absolutely take advantage of this free resource.

Find the tool here:

https://www.cloture.app/

Learn more about Harrison Cramer's efforts here:

https://www.cloture.app/about

or find him on Twitter @HarrisonCramer

If reading a USAJOBS vacancy announcement leaves you frustrated, you're not alone. Adele Dantzler of Dantzler Career Solutions walks us through the most important parts of the announcement and how to respond to get through the initial phases of the selection process. 

She has lots more to offer on her website here:

https://www.dcslearn.com/blog/

Heard about the Sammies? 

The Sammies, or Service to America Medals, known as the "Oscars" of government service, are a highly respected honor with a rigorous selection process. Named for the Partnership for Public Service's late founder who was inspired by President Kennedy's call to serve in 1963, these awards align with his vision of a dynamic and innovative federal workforce that meets the needs of the American people. This year's presenters include Samantha Bee and Kristin Bell.

The Partnership is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization whose mission is to help make our government more effective, and the Sammies honorees represent the many exceptional federal workers who are doing just that—breaking down barriers, overcoming huge challenges and getting results. Whether they're defending the homeland, protecting the environment, ensuring public safety, making scientific and medical discoveries, or responding to natural and man-made disasters, these men and women put service before self and make a lasting difference.

Samuel J. Heyman believed that "the future of our nation quite simply depends on the quality of our government." The Sammies are the Partnership's way of showing the world the many ways our government is making our country better, safer and stronger.

You can register to stream the event on October 5th here:

https://servicetoamericamedals.org/

Info about all the Partnerships' programs can be found here: https://ourpublicservice.org/

To donate, click here:

https://ourpublicservice.org/donate/

The Federal Employee Paid Leave Act becomes real this week but most of our agencies and departments haven't published implementing guidance and many of us don't know the key provisions of the law. Enter Government Worker (aka a fed just like us who wishes to keep his name out of the media). He publishes a blog about living frugally as a fed that you should DEFINITELY check out. 

Here are two links discussed in the episode:

https://governmentworkerfi.com/parental-leave-for-federal-employees/

https://governmentworkerfi.com/fers-retirement-compensation/

And here's the Dept of State's guidance (available online) - click the link and scroll down to paid parental leave:

https://fam.state.gov/FAM/03FAM/03FAM3530.html#M3535_3

The Leadership Council for Women in National Security improves national security by ensuring that women, in all their diversity, have equal space at the policy-making table. LCWINS is an organization of women and allies from across the political spectrum working to advance gender inclusion at the highest levels of the U.S. national security and foreign policy workforce.

Gina talks us through the LCWINS mission and how you can get involved as a senior leader OR a future senior leader in national security.

https://www.lcwins.org/

Dr. Kandis Boyd, Federal Executive Institute Alumni Aassociation (FEIAA) President, joined me on the podcast to disuss their upcoming event. The Federal Executive Forum is open to GS-12s through SESs and you don't have to be a FEIAA alum to attend this hybrid event. Yes, you can participate virtually. 

Register here.

To learn more about FEI's course offerings, head to this link.

Confused about the payroll tax deferral? Don't understand how FERS retirement works? Need explanations about TSP match and life insurance? Meet Brian.

Brian Sigwart is a Certified financial planner with Cummins and Associates Financial Group. He focuses his practice on educating federal employees how their benefits work. He has been providing financial wellness classes for over a decade at over 25 federal agencies in the DELMARVA area.

https://www.caafg.com/Brian--Sigwart,-CFPsup-sup--RICPsup-sup.e637559.htm

Join Sasha O'Connell, a former FBI executive and director of public sector strategy at Guidehouse, and Love Rutledge of the FedUpward Podcast, along with expert guests as they discuss how young professionals and students should best position themselves for success in the National Security Sector.management and executive leadership. The Mission Is Possible podcast series offers real advice and experiences from some of the top experts in federal law enforcement. This episode is brought to you by a partnership between Guidehouse, American University School of Public Affairs and the FedUpward Podcast. The team conducted a webinar and followed up with a podcast about job hunting while faced with pandemic-related challenges.

For more information about the Mission is Possible series, click here:

https://lnkd.in/dyxiMVE

https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/guidehouse-and-american-university-school-of-public-affairs/mission-is-possible

Need more contracting knowledge? The Pulse at Government Contracting founders Amber Hart and Lisa Shea Mundt discuss the important of a good statement of work and how we govvies can get exactly what we want out of contractors. Want more info? Check out their website:

https://thepulsegovcon.com/

Amber Hart received her Bachelor's in Conflict Analysis and Resolution & Global Affairs from George Mason University (GMU). A skilled Federal Business Developer, Ms. Hart has ten years' experience in all aspects of selling to the Federal Government. She brings the critical knowledge and experience in navigating congressional and federal procurement data and sources, from legislation to appropriations and historical discretionary spending obligations, to The Pulse. Her honesty and desire to invoke federal procurement change makes her a breath of fresh air in a convoluted and cumbersome industry.

Lisa Shea Mundt received both her Master's and Bachelor's in Writing, Rhetoric, and Technical Communication (WRTC) from James Madison University (JMU). As a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and CF APMP, she is a coveted Proposal Consultant who applies her ten years of federal procurement experience in the formulation of strategic, comprehensive, and compelling proposals for a wide array of Government Contractors. Ms. Mundt uses her experience to help manage the strategic direction of The Pulse. She is passionate about all methods of communication, and frequently leads industry-specific training, facilitates events, and engages in public speaking.