WRP injects youth into federal employment pool

Photo By Thomas Perry | Hilary Bishop, Defense Contract Management Agency Equal Employment Opportunity Office administrative assistant, stands next to her 2014 Department of Defense Outstanding Employee with a Disability Award. She began her federal career through the Workforce Recruitment Program.  

FORT LEE, VA, UNITED STATES

02.08.2016

Story by Thomas Perry 

Defense Contract Management Agency

FORT LEE, Va. - Defense Contract Management Agency hiring managers looking to fortify their summer workforce with qualified interns now have access to the 2016 Workforce Recruitment Program database.

“Employers have access to the premier resource of college students and recent graduates with disabilities, from over 300 campuses nationwide, who are seeking summer or permanent employment in federal agencies,” wrote Adam Abosedra, with the Office of the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, in the program’s 2016 announcement letter.

According to the WRP website, the candidates are diverse in both experience and scholarly pursuit from college freshmen to graduate and law students. Since the program’s 1995 expansion, more than 6,000 students and recent graduates have received employment opportunities through the WRP.

Along with bolstering federal agencies each summer, many candidates are identified as valuable contributors and find permanent employment.

“The Workforce Recruitment Program offered me a chance to prove my determination and my ability to serve the public as a federal employee,” said Kenneth Johnson, a DCMA Mission Support Branch management analyst, who served his WRP time with the Department of State. “My assigned agency treated me as a valued team member with tangible responsibility, which reaffirmed my desire for a federal career. The networking opportunities meant that I left my internship with a strong network of advocates and mentors willing to help me return to the government after graduation.

“WRP also provided information on further employment opportunities for students and recent graduates with disabilities,” continued Johnson. “It is without hesitation that I say WRP is one of the best routes available to a federal career.”

Hilary Bishop, a member of the agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, said she was inspired to become an administrative assistant after learning the position while in the WRP.

“The program gave me a great opportunity to grow and learn, ultimately leading me to my full time position,” Bishop said. “I never thought I would be in my position, and I have the WRP to thank for it.”

Similar to past years, the agency has allocated a number of centrally funded authorizations to support candidate placement.

“Managers should take advantage of this program because it bolsters short-term office production and can lead to the identification of superior performers and future agency team members,” said Greg Clark, EEO Disabilities Program manager. “The program also fortifies the agency’s EEO goals and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s strategic mission for hiring individuals with disabilities.”

To begin the hiring process, Clark works with DCMA managers to identify needs, and then the agency authorizes the Department of Defense-paid slots to be filled. Upon approval, the manager is given access to the database of participant profiles and resumes. The manager then contacts the applicants, conducts interviews and coordinates with EEO to make a selection.

While summer is still months away, Clark urges managers to expedite their requests as availability is limited.

“Authorizations are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis, and they aren’t prioritized or allocated by directorate or contract management office,” he said. “So, please don’t hesitate to contact me to start the process.”

• Date Taken: 02.08.2016
• Date Posted: 02.08.2016 09:54
• Story ID: 188201
• Location: FORT LEE, VA, US