Bill > HR3809

This bill, known as the Weather Workforce Improvement Act, aims to help the National Weather Service (NWS) more quickly hire employees for critical public safety positions. The legislation recognizes the vital importance of accurate and timely weather forecasting and provides the NWS Director with direct hire authority to fill key vacancies without going through standard federal hiring procedures. Specifically, the bill allows expedited hiring for positions like meteorologists, physical scientists, hydrologists, computer specialists, and electronic technicians who are essential to the NWS's public safety mission. The hiring authority will last for two years or until all critical positions are filled. Additionally, the bill requires the NWS Director to submit annual assessments to congressional committees, including evaluations of hiring milestones, workforce needs at different forecasting offices, and the health and morale impacts of rotating shift work on employees. The legislation also mandates that the Under Secretary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ensure the agency remains focused on providing accurate weather forecasts that protect lives, property, and support the national economy. By streamlining the hiring process and emphasizing the critical nature of weather service employees, the bill seeks to strengthen the NWS's ability to serve the public effectively.

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https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3809/all-info