Sec. 6. Professional development opportunities and tools
587 words·~3 min read·
/bill/116/s/497/is/section-6A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Each national security agency shall conduct periodic interviews with a representative cross-section of the members of the workforce of the national security agency to— understand the reasons of the members for remaining in a position in the national security agency; and receive feedback on workplace policies, professional development opportunities, and other issues affecting the decision of the members to remain. Each national security agency shall provide an opportunity for an exit interview or survey to each member of the workforce of the national security agency who separates from service with the national security agency, to understand better the reasons of the member for leaving.
Each national security agency shall analyze and use information obtained through interviews and surveys under paragraphs
(1)and (2), including to evaluate— if and how the results of the interviews differ by gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and other demographic categories; and whether to implement any policy changes or make any recommendations as part of a report required under section 5. Each national security agency is authorized to expand professional development opportunities that support the mission needs of the national security agency, such as— academic programs; private-public exchanges; and detail assignments to relevant positions in— private or international organizations; State, local, and tribal governments; other branches of the Federal Government; or professional schools of international affairs. Each national security agency shall offer, or sponsor members of the workforce of the national security agency to participate in, a Senior Executive Service candidate development program or other program that trains members of the workforce of the national security agency on the skills required for appointment to senior positions in the national security agency. In determining which members of the workforce of the national security agency are granted professional development or career advancement opportunities, a national security agency shall— ensure any program offered or sponsored by the national security agency under subparagraph
(A)comports with the requirements of subpart C of part 412 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor thereto, including merit staffing and assessment requirements; consider the number of expected vacancies in senior positions as a factor in determining the number of candidates to select for such programs; understand how participation in any program offered or sponsored by the national security agency under subparagraph
(A)differs by gender, race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, and other demographic categories; and actively encourage participation from a range of demographic categories, especially from categories with consistently low participation. Each national security agency shall— track demographic data relating to participants in professional development programs and the rate of placement into senior positions for participants in such programs; and evaluate such data on an annual basis to look for ways to improve outreach and recruitment for such programs consistent with merit system principles. Each national security agency that places assignment restrictions on members of the workforce of the national security agency or otherwise prohibits certain geographic assignments due to a security determination shall ensure a review process exists for such a restriction or prohibition that is consistent with part 147 of title 32, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to adjudicative guidelines for determining eligibility for access to classified information), or any successor thereto, and any applicable counterintelligence considerations. Each national security agency shall ensure that members of the workforce of the national security agency affected by a restriction or prohibition described in paragraph
(1)are informed of the right to seek review and the process for doing so.