Description
In 2018 the Department of the Interior was authorized, under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018: Public Law 115-141, Section 115, to enter into cooperative agreements with private nonprofit organizations designated by the Secretary of Labor under Title V of the Older Americans Act of 1965 to utilize the talents of older Americans in programs authorized by other provisions of law administered by the Secretary and consistent with such provisions of law. This authority has been extended through the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, Public Law 118-42. The Experienced Services Program provides a cost-effective recruitment opportunity to obtain the services of non-Federal, experienced workers aged 55 and older.Note: pursuant to the Act, Experienced Workers Program enrollees cannot displace or reduce the non-overtime hours, wages, or employment benefits of any DOI employees; perform work of DOI employees who are in a layoff status from the same or a substantially equivalent job or function; or affect existing contracts for services. Enrollees are not Federal employees.DOI has an opportunity to partner with one or more qualified nonprofit Organization(s) under the Experienced Services Program to support the missions of The Office of the Assistant Secretary – Policy, Management and Budget (PMB) including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Office, Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Office, Office of Youth and Young Adult Partnership Programs (YYPP), Office of Environmental Policy & Compliance (OEPC), Office of Restoration and Damage Assessment (NRDAR), Office of Policy Analysis (PPA), Office of Occupational Safety & Health (OSH), Appraisal and Valuation Services Office (AVSO), and Office of Wildland Fire (OWF). The partner organization(s) will have (at a minimum) responsibility for:Recruiting, screening, placing, and paying enrollees based on an approved work description and cost amount. DOI will develop position descriptions in conjunction with the nonprofit organization(s).Selecting applicants in cooperation with the designated DOI Program Officer or assigned Technical Adviser (This person oversees the work activities of one or more enrollee and verifies the enrollees time sheet), but the organization notifies the enrollee of their acceptance.The organization provides payroll, time record maintenance, record keeping, and administrative support to enrollees.The organization screens the applicants and forwards qualified applicants to DOI for review and consideration. DOI will make a recommendation on selection to the partner organization for placement. Enrollees earn benefits (leave, unemployment, wage increases, etc.) Enrollees may be authorized to use government owned vehicles to conduct official government business. Enrollees can work between assisting the DOI on various mission focused projects.