LARGEST OF WEST VALLEYS' WASTE TANKS REMOVED DURING DEMOLITION

02/08/2024 | Radwaste Solutions

EM CELEBRATES MILESTONE YEAR FOR ADVANCING WORKFORCE IN 2023

DOE-EM| 02/06/2024

EM marked transformative accomplishments in fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023), highlighting significant hiring and innovation advances, and a strengthened commitment to veteran employment and workforce diversity.

"As we reflect on a year of exceptional growth and innovation, EM stands at the forefront of empowering its workforce, embracing technology and honoring our nation’s veterans," said Toby Layman, deputy director of EM's Office of Workforce Management. "Our achievements are not just a measure of progress but a beacon of what dedicated public service can accomplish."

Hiring Achievements: A Leap in Growth and Opportunities

In FY 2023, EM demonstrated a robust increase in recruitment and hiring activities, with total recruitment actions exhibiting a general increased trend. Starting from 163 in October 2022, recruitment actions peaked at 247 in May 2023, showcasing a vigorous recruitment drive. This culminated in a substantial influx of new hires within EM, totaling 260 new hires and Pathways Recent Graduates Program participants in 2023, reflecting sustained hiring efforts over time. This period marks an unprecedented enhancement in staffing levels, growing from 1,120 to 1,260 employees from March to December.

EM Headquarters and Site-Specific Recruitment Trends

EM headquarters demonstrated the most substantial growth in total recruitment actions, starting from 26 in October 2022, peaking at 66 in April 2023, and moderating to 21 by this past January. The Hanford Site consistently reported high total recruitment actions, maintaining a range between 44 and 74, with a notable spike in May 2023. The Savannah River Site (SRS) showed a steady presence in recruitment actions, peaking at 38 on two occasions, in March and April 2023, and stabilizing at 25 by this past January. The Portsmouth/Paducah Project Office experienced fluctuating trends but ended with a relatively high number of 10 by January. As recruitment endeavors moderated in FY 2024, the momentum of new hires began to level off, suggesting a strategic stabilization in workforce expansion.

Hiring and Workforce Diversity: A Commitment to Equity and Inclusivity

Veterans constitute 28% of EM’s workforce, with 35 new hires. EM has played a pivotal role in DOE’s recognition as the No. 1 veteran employer by Forbes. This accolade reflects DOE's commitment to supporting veteran employment and integrating their invaluable skills into the workforce.

In a progressive shift towards a more inclusive workforce, EM has increased the representation of the 25-34 age group by 28 employees. The representation of women has also seen a notable increase, comprising 39.5% of new hires and increasing female representation by 49 employees.

EM’s inclusive hiring practices have also resulted in 15 Asian or Pacific Islanders, 23 Black Hispanic, four Hispanic, and three American Indian or Alaska Native American new hires. A substantial 46.9% of new hires were people with disabilities, enhancing EM’s representation by 70 individuals.

The Excepted Service Initiative: Shaping EM's Future

EM’s dedicated efforts in talent acquisition resulted in converting 60 employees from the general schedule to the excepted service and hiring 30 new excepted service staff members, with an additional 11 candidates in the recruitment pipeline. Excepted service is a civil service position that does not confer competitive status. Use of this hiring flexibility allowed EM the ability to hire qualified candidates outside of the traditional recruitment method. EM's excepted service positions are technical and are directly related to the safety and administration of defense nuclear facilities.

Pathways and Summer Intern Programs

EM has filled all 40 allocated positions within the Pathways Recent Graduates Program and added three site-hosted positions. The program's success also echoes through the summer intern program, which has provided invaluable experience to tomorrow's leaders.

Technological Advancements: EM Net Upgrades

In its quest to foster a connected and empowered workforce, EM successfully launched LaunchPath, EMpower People and Everyone Matters. These innovative sites, which are hosted on EM’s intranet site for employees, testify to EM's commitment to inclusivity and progressive employee engagement.

Additional Highlights of FY 2023:

• A successful relocation of EM headquarters employees to the renovated DOE Germantown Complex, along with increased space allocation.
• Contributions to developing and implementing tools such as the Candidate Status Tracker and the Position Management Dashboard, enhancing operational efficiency.
• Launching a professional mentoring program and hosting numerous lunch-and-learn training sessions, nurturing continuous professional growth.
• The completion of five significant realignments within EM headquarters, EM Consolidated Business Center (EMCBC), EM Los Alamos, Hanford Site, and the shifting of some contracting functions from SRS to EMCBC, streamlining the organizational structure for enhanced performance.
• The successful execution of the FY 2023 performance management process, ensuring timely recognition of EM employees.
• Introducing the Referral Bonus Program and developing the Fitness Reimbursement Program, reinforcing EM's retention initiatives.
• The fulfillment of General Services Administration requests and human capital data calls underscores EM’s commitment to responsive and responsible governance.

ECA WEBINAR: ADVANCED NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT: AN INTRODUCTORY CONVERSATION WITH U.S. DOE & U.S. NRC

In coordination with the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) and the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), ECA is excited to host the first in a new series of educational webinars, "Advanced Nuclear Technology Deployment: An Introductory Conversation with U.S. DOE & U.S. NRC" on Wednesday, February 21st at 2pm EST.

This webinar series is designed for any local, State, Tribal governments and communities interested in learning more about advanced reactors developments, demonstrations, and deployments.

We hope you will join ECA's Director of Nuclear Policy, Kara Colton, in this important discussion featuring:

• Dr. Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary, Office of Nuclear Energy, DOE
• John Lubinski, Director, Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards, NRC

The webinar is open to all interested participants and will have time for audience Q&A. There is no fee to participate but registration is required in advance. 

Please use this link to register.

We hope you can join us and please contact ECA Program Director, Faith Sanchez, (faiths@energyca.org) with any questions.

REGISTRATION IS LIVE FOR ECA's New Nuclear Forum: Building Nuclear Partnerships and Projects, May 8-9, 2024 in Kennewick, WA

ECA is excited to be hosting its third New Nuclear Forum, the only meeting designed to bring together DOE, federal, state, local and tribal governments and policymakers with developers, utilities, regulators, industry, and academia to identify opportunities, challenges and to build the partnerships necessary to support nuclear development.

Communities across the country are considering nuclear projects for many reasons - from diversifying regional economies, creating clean energy jobs or meeting carbon reduction goals, to increasing energy security and rebuilding the U.S. supply chain.  Some communities have a familiarity with nuclear energy projects, while others are just beginning to evaluate potential interest.  The ECA Forum is designed to enable shared learning so that local, State and Tribal governments evaluating nuclear projects can be meaningfully engaged - and prepared - to match the strengths and needs of their communities with new nuclear opportunities.  

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
The ECA Forum is open to communities, State, Tribal and local policymakers, industry, utilities, developers, experts, financiers, state legislators, community groups, and economic development organizations working to build capacity and support for new nuclear development in the U.S.

MEETING GOALS:
This meeting is part of ECA's New Nuclear Initiative to define the role of local governments in supporting the development of the new nuclear technologies, and answer three core questions:

• What do communities need to know to attract and support new nuclear development/missions?
• How can communities support industry, national laboratories, state, and federal governments and how should they communicate about local resources and development opportunities?
• What hurdles and challenges will communities face - along with industry and developers - and who can we work with to overcome them?

AGENDA:
ECA, with support from the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, has developed an agenda that continues to look holistically at the what a nuclear project entails: from the front-end of the fuel-cycle to the back-end of the fuel cycle, from building local support, to state support and enabling legislation, from identifying the right public-private partnerships, to understanding regulatory oversight. Session topics include:

• How to Build Community Acceptance
• Reusing Energy Sites for New Nuclear Development
• Understanding Industrial Applications of Nuclear Energy
• Pursuing a Reliable, Domestic Nuclear Fuel Supply
• Rebuilding the U.S. Nuclear Supply

OPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES:
Tuesday, May 7, 2024: ECA is offering an optional "Nuclear 101" for participants new to nuclear energy.
Friday, May 10, 2024: ECA is offering an optional tour:  Historic Hanford Tour / Future of Nuclear around Hanford Tour.  Additional registration will be required and openings are limited.

QUESTIONS?
For any questions, comments, or to learn more about the ECA New Nuclear Forums, please contact Kara Colton, ECA Director of Nuclear Policy, at kara.colton@energyca.org or Faith Sanchez, ECA Program Director, at faiths@energyca.org.

NEW MEDIA:

Gone Fission Nuclear Report: DOE Procurement Process: How EM Contracts Work

January 29, 2024 | S4E2 

The Department of Energy’s environmental cleanup program is now focused on 15 remaining sites around the country, down from 107 at the start of the program three decades ago. It is a multi-million dollar, multi-decade effort that depends on qualified contractors to get the job done. DOE is the largest civilian contracting agency in the federal government. In this week’s episode, the Gone Fission Nuclear Report examines the procurement process that results in contract awards and looks at the agency’s new contracting model, the role of small business and the impact of protests on cleanup schedules and progress. Guests are Angela Watmore, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Project Management and Aaron Deckard, Procurement Director, EM Consolidated Business Center. 

UPCOMING ECA EVENTS: 

ECA Webinar: Advanced Nuclear Technology Deployment: An Introductory Conversation with U.S. DOE & U.S. NRC

February 21, 2024 at 2pm EST | Zoom Webinar

Register Here

ECA Forum: Building Nuclear Partnerships & Projects

May 8-9, 2024 | Kennewick, WA

Register Here | Agenda | Sponsorship Information

2024 National Cleanup Workshop

September 16-18, 2024 | Crystal Gateway Marriott (Arlington, VA)

More Information Here

Check out ECA's latest report! 

DISPOSAL DRIVES CLEANUP: RE-ENERGIZING MOMENTUM FOR DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS FOR RADIOACTIVE WASTE

This report calls on the Department of Energy to launch the initiative to develop the actual waste disposition approaches. The Department could potentially save hundreds of billions of dollars in cleanup costs by using its available tools and implementing the report’s recommendations.