February 2010 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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2 Editor’s Note: Connecting with nature does not look the same for everyone. Connecting with nature means different things to different people. For some, it’s hunting and fi shing. For others, it’s walking in the woods or on the beach. What does your nature encounter look like? We want to know. To that end, we have added a regular section called Let’s Go Outside! We invite you to submit personal nature encounters as experienced by you and your children, as well as innovative ideas on how to connect with nature. We will run your accounts in this feature segment. Please submit your youngsters’ stories and photos to our regular section: Kid’s Corner. Kid’s Corner features the nature writing and photographic pieces by the children of regional employees. E-mail: valerie_redmond@ fws.gov with your Let’s Go Outside! and Kids Corner articles, photos, journal entries and poems. On the Cover: Departments Features USFWS Photo by Gary J. Wege, TCFO. RD’s Corner /3 Around the Region / 19 The Future of Our Workforce / 3 The RD addresses aging workforce issues. By Tom Melius Conservation Resources Alliance Awards / 14 Service employee receives Outstanding Agency Partner award. By Mark Holey Career Development Programs / 11 Service and partner career development programs are reviewed. Virtual Career Fair/ 6 Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge explores a virtual career fair. By Tim Haller
3 T he Future of Our Workforce A statistical picture of America’s workforce, particularly that of the government, shows increasing numbers of employees nearing (or at) their eligible retirement age. Concurrently, the pool of younger candidates poised to fi ll these vacancies continues to shrink. The loss of knowledge and experience through normal attrition has always been a concern for both private and public employers. But for government agencies where more than half of the workforce is either at or near retirement age, the impact takes on more urgency. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), refl ecting these same demographics is feeling the effects as well. The government and subsequently, the Service is on the cutting edge of this issue. Adding to this demographics shift is an attitude shift. The changing world is accelerating the need for a strategic workforce approach. Young people entering the workplace view their careers differently than those who entered the workplace 20-25 years ago. The sense of permanency that workers once entered the workforce with is less prevalent. The perspective of younger workers is less static and more fl uid based on personal career goals, employer benefi ts and the economy. In the face of these challenges, I am quite optimistic. While these changing demographics are a challenge and will have an impact, they also present a tremendous opportunity. To mitigate this impact in the Service, workforce mentoring is key, as is our ability to embrace innovative solutions. I am grateful to our employees who have been willing to step out and explore new possibilities. Last fall, Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge Biologist Wedge Watkins and Biological Aide, Emily Magrowski, attended a virtual career fair at Lincoln University in Missouri (page 6). Equally impressive is Service employee participation in the Federal Outreach and Leadership Development Program (FOLD) whose mission is to identify and assist in the development of future federal executive leaders. (Inside Region 3 – July 2009). I applaud programs like the Leadership Pathways program and the Advanced Leadership Development Program (ALDP), which is the Service’s program to recognize and further develop high performing GS-13 and GS- 14 employees who demonstrate willingness and capability for senior leadership positions. The Student Career Experience Program (SCEP), the Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) and the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) have proved effective as well, as evidenced by the many promising new Service employees like Wildlife Biologist Jeramie T. Strickland of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge and Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge’s Ken Schimp, both of whom have come out of the programs (page 7-9). RD’s Corner Enhancing employee ability to take advantage of job swap, detail and cross-training opportunities has also proved valuable in helping the Service carry out its mission. This kind of succession planning and talent management is a key strategy for addressing these issues and helping us to move forward as an agency. As the Service continues to identify effective strategies to meet this demographic challenge, recognize that the next generation of workers will build upon the work that you have already done. The mission of the service is inextricably tied to these demographics. It is our responsibility to coach and mentor employees to be the best they can be by pushing them to take on new challenges. --Tom Melius Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Midwest Region
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February 2010 - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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