\u201cGood government increasingly requires modern technical\nleadership. Having leaders in government who understand technology is not only\nimportant for technology initiatives, it\u2019s important for every initiative, and\nI think we see that in the midst of this [pandemic] crisis\u201d \u2013 Katie Malague,\nthe Partnership\u2019s vice president for government effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On April 16, the Partnership for Public Service brought together tech leaders from across the federal government for a panel discussion and report launch for Tech Talent for 21<\/a>st<\/a><\/sup> Century Government<\/a>. The report provides guidance for building technology and innovation leadership to ensure the federal government can address modern challenges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The event featured a panel discussion with Matt Cutts,\nadministrator of the U.S. Digital Service, and Clare Martorana, chief\ninformation officer at the Office of Personnel Management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One major theme from the discussion was challenges the\ngovernment can address. \u201cI would say hiring and how can you bring the best\npossible technologists and other subject matter experts into the government,\u201d\nsaid Cutts. He added that the government could become significantly faster in\nhiring and that the government should capitalize on its unique mission, purpose\nand impact that other industries don\u2019t have. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The U.S. Digital Service is even working with other agencies\nto streamline the hiring process for technology positions. It has launched a pilot\nprogram in several other agencies, including the National Park Service and the\nCenters for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The program enlists subject matter\nexperts to review applicants\u2019 resumes and conduct the first round of interviews\nto ensure that candidates are technically qualified before they move on in the\nhiring process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n OPM also has many initiatives that support tech talent\nacross government and is encouraging private-sector employees to join the\nfederal workforce. Martorana said that OPM is optimizing USAJOBS.gov and its direct\nhiring authorities to help agencies bring more technologists into government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The panelists were encouraged by the state of the federal\nworkforce and said that the government\u2019s biggest opportunity is to become a\nleader in technology and innovation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat gives me hope is both the people that are here [in the\nfederal government] and the people that are willing to come,\u201d Martorana said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Read the Tech Talent for 21<\/a>st<\/a><\/sup> Century Government report<\/a> and watch highlights from the event below. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTechnology Challenges in Government<\/h4>\n\n\n\n