SIOP Engages on Executive Order Aimed at Improving Assessment of Federal Job Candidates

In June 2020, former President Trump signed Executive Order (EO) 13932 directing federal agencies to improve their hiring assessment processes.  Specifically, the EO requires agencies to pivot away from relying on academic credentials in hiring decisions and requires them to consider other relevant skills and competencies that could qualify an applicant for a role.  Over the past six months, SIOP engaged with I-Os at the Department of Interior (DOI) on how to incorporate I-O in the EO’s implementation.  In addition, DOI relayed to SIOP that all federal agencies will have an increased need for I-Os on staff due to the EO and may lead to an increase in federal job and engagement opportunities for I-Os over the coming months as agencies continue to refine their assessment practices to remain in compliance with EO 13932.

 

SIOP Meets with Department of Justice Leadership on Policing Reform

As previously reported, SIOP has a highly active volunteer working group of experts to advocate for the inclusion of I-O concepts in federal policing reform.  While I-Os held a series of extensive meetings with congressional staff this summer on policing reform legislation, negotiations within the chamber broke down late last year along partisan lines.  Ownership over federal policing reform has thus shifted to the White House and federal agencies.  In December and January, the policing working group had its first meetings with leadership from the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS Office).  The COPS Office is responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by the nation’s state, local, territorial, and tribal law enforcement agencies through information and grant resources for activities such as hiring and training.  Absent comprehensive policing reform, grant programs to support local police departments and external validators have been prioritized by the Administration and Congress.  COPS Office leaders have been receptive to evidence-based findings on workforce issues and potential resources SIOP could help DOJ provide stakeholders nationwide.  As a result of the meetings, the offices and SIOP are working on ways to formalize a partnership to support the dissemination of I-O-based practices through COPS Office programming.

 

Biden Administration Adds I-O Psychology to List of STEM Fields Eligible Under Visa Extension

President Biden this month announced a new effort to add STEM talent to the U.S. and strengthen the nation’s competitiveness.  As part of this initiative, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced 22 fields of study, including I-O psychology, that will now be eligible for the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program.  The STEM OPT program allows international STEM students on F-1 visas to stay for three years after graduating to work in their field of study, serving an important pathway for retaining international STEM talent.  Inclusion of I-O psychology in the STEM OPT program has been a priority for SIOP since 2016, and SIOP has been continually engaged with both the White House and DHS.  Recently, SIOP worked with Drs. Dia Chatterjee and Tim Huelsman to develop a white paper laying out the case for inclusion on the STEM OPT list, which was submitted to DHS.  This advocacy was highlighted in the Federal Register notice amending the list, crediting SIOP with providing “data-driven research and analysis to address human-centered issues in institutional and organizational settings such as workplace dysfunction and employee engagement,” and including case studies that highlight I-O’s contributions to the government, “including a National Aeronautics and Space Administration grant awarded to a SIOP member to study astronaut health and performance on long-duration missions and the use of [I-O] research and data to improve airline safety and assist members of the military in transitioning to civilian life.”

Publication Type
Washington InfO

Topic
Government Relations, STEM