HR 3809
Weather Workforce Improvement Act
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Bill overview
The Weather Workforce Improvement Act aims to streamline the hiring process at the National Weather Service by allowing the Director to directly hire qualified candidates for critical positions, regardless of standard hiring regulations. This is intended to address staffing shortages, particularly for employees involved in launching weather balloons, which are vital for public safety. The bill also includes provisions for a workforce assessment to evaluate staffing needs and address potential health impacts on employees due to rotating shift work.
Key provisions
- Allows the National Weather Service Director to directly hire qualified candidates for critical positions without strict adherence to standard hiring procedures.
- Designates specific positions as ‘public safety’ for prioritization.
- Establishes a sunset provision for the expanded hiring authority.
- Requires a workforce assessment to determine staffing needs at forecasting offices.
- Mandates an assessment of the health and morale of National Weather Service employees, particularly regarding rotating shift work.
- Authorizes the Director to contract with a private sector entity to conduct the health and morale assessment.
- Includes provisions to ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) focuses on providing accurate and timely weather forecasts.
- Requires the submission of annual workforce assessments to Congress.
Who is affected
- National Weather Service employees
- The National Weather Service Director
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Primary sponsor
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 3809
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To waive certain legal requirements to permit the Director of the National Weather Service to expeditiously hire for positions that are critical for public safety, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Weather Workforce Improvement Act
.
It is the sense of Congress that—
accurate and timely weather forecasting is of vital importance;
employees of the National Weather Service, particularly employees responsible for the regular launching of weather balloons, are critical for public safety; and
staffing positions relating to the regular launching of weather balloons should be prioritized and categorized as critical for public safety.
Meteorologists (classification series 1340).
General physical scientists (classification series 1301).
Hydrologists (classification series 1315).
Computer specialists (classification series 334).
Electronic technicians (classification series 856).
Other positions for which primary responsibilities include equipment operations, maintenance, and analysis, information technology, or engineering.
The authority under subsection (a) shall expire on the earlier of—
the date on which all positions to satisfy to critical staffing needs and vacancies have been filled.
The Director of the Office of Personal Management shall designate the positions specified in subsection (a) as pertaining to public safety.
The Under Secretary shall ensure the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration remains focused on providing accurate and timely weather forecasts that protect lives and property and enhance the national economy by disseminating to the public and core partners through nimble, flexible, and mobile methods critical weather information and impact-based decision support services.;
by redesignating section 110 (15 U.S.C. 8519), as section 111; and
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section and annually thereafter, the Director of the National Weather Service shall submit to the Under Secretary, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of the milestones, timelines, and service level expectations required for the hiring and timely on-boarding of employees of the National Weather Service.
Each assessment under paragraph (1) may include determinations of the number of employees of the National Weather Service required at each forecasting office to provide services to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy in the geographic region of responsibility.
Options for mitigating the impacts on employees identified in each such assessment.
Recommendations for improving benefits related to required rotating shift work.