How to Unleash Federal IT Workers as Change-Makers

PureSolution/Shutterstock.com

Smart workers are evergreen.

Jason Parry is the vice president of client solutions for Force 3.

The public-sector workforce has always been plagued by stereotypes. To the layman, “government job” calls to mind images of a middle-aged bureaucrat, punching a timecard and trudging through antiquated technologies much as he always has done and much as he always will.

In reality, however, federal agencies recognize the need to embrace innovation in their field to achieve their overall mission. But the roadblocks to doing so are plenty and deeply embedded in federal agency management.  

» Get the best federal technology news and ideas delivered right to your inbox. Sign up here.

Too often, as decision-makers watch current technologies fade into obsolescence their knee-jerk reaction is to jump straight to a technology refresh and most lauded update. This at times is done without a full understanding of the problem or the new technology being introduced. Better alternatives do exist. Innovation, after all, doesn’t always stem from new technology: it happens on the human side too, with a thoughtful and well-trained workforce.

Invest in Your Employees

It may be cliché to say information technology evolves faster than most consumers can keep pace with, but for IT workers in the public space, the implications of this are far-reaching. This makes it critical agencies are well-educated on new tech. Oftentimes, agencies tend to ignore the need for this education. Agencies should consider employee development anytime new technology will be introduced.

Smart workers are evergreen. With more time to deeply explore the possibilities of technology already integrated into their systems, they can become stewards for that technology while focusing on streamlining processes and innovation.

A well-trained staff can more accurately recognize the holes in current resources. They can bring new, desperately needed technologies forward and avoid the pitfalls of purchasing redundant software or hardware with the same capabilities. Armed with an understanding of, and interest in, the IT landscape, employees can take point for agencies struggling to stay ahead of a constantly shifting field.

Attract Top Talent

Engineers problem-shoot—that’s how they’re wired. They want to be challenged, and they want to get their hands dirty with creating and implementing new, exciting solutions. If their workplace doesn’t empower them to apply themselves in new and dynamic ways, they will seek employment elsewhere.

Conversely, agencies whose culture values personal development and consistently present ways for employees to grow will attract hard-working, passionate employees who actually stick around.

Create Innovative Civic Services

Once an agency cultivates a workforce empowered to lead the curve, the results will speak for themselves. IT employees in public service want to improve their community. That’s why they sought a public sector job over mission-free, private-sector positions. When they’re enabled to be change-makers and given room for personal growth, they can push relentlessly for innovation and in entirely surprising ways.

There’s no shortage of opportunities for innovation across the public sphere. From incorporating internet of things technologies to capitalizing on the government’s data banks, the possibilities for advancement are ripe and waiting. Public sector IT workers are perfectly positioned to drive change. And when agencies invest in their employees, federal workers can become innovators, driven by a positive mission to improve citizen services and leave a lasting impact on their country.

X
This website uses cookies to enhance user experience and to analyze performance and traffic on our website. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners. Learn More / Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Accept Cookies
X
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Do Not Sell My Personal Information

When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference. You cannot opt-out of our First Party Strictly Necessary Cookies as they are deployed in order to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting the cookie banner and remembering your settings, to log into your account, to redirect you when you log out, etc.). For more information about the First and Third Party Cookies used please follow this link.

Allow All Cookies

Manage Consent Preferences

Strictly Necessary Cookies - Always Active

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data, Targeting & Social Media Cookies

Under the California Consumer Privacy Act, you have the right to opt-out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. These cookies collect information for analytics and to personalize your experience with targeted ads. You may exercise your right to opt out of the sale of personal information by using this toggle switch. If you opt out we will not be able to offer you personalised ads and will not hand over your personal information to any third parties. Additionally, you may contact our legal department for further clarification about your rights as a California consumer by using this Exercise My Rights link

If you have enabled privacy controls on your browser (such as a plugin), we have to take that as a valid request to opt-out. Therefore we would not be able to track your activity through the web. This may affect our ability to personalize ads according to your preferences.

Targeting cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used by those companies to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts on other sites. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.

Social media cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.

If you want to opt out of all of our lead reports and lists, please submit a privacy request at our Do Not Sell page.

Save Settings
Cookie Preferences Cookie List

Cookie List

A cookie is a small piece of data (text file) that a website – when visited by a user – asks your browser to store on your device in order to remember information about you, such as your language preference or login information. Those cookies are set by us and called first-party cookies. We also use third-party cookies – which are cookies from a domain different than the domain of the website you are visiting – for our advertising and marketing efforts. More specifically, we use cookies and other tracking technologies for the following purposes:

Strictly Necessary Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Functional Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Performance Cookies

We do not allow you to opt-out of our certain cookies, as they are necessary to ensure the proper functioning of our website (such as prompting our cookie banner and remembering your privacy choices) and/or to monitor site performance. These cookies are not used in a way that constitutes a “sale” of your data under the CCPA. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not work as intended if you do so. You can usually find these settings in the Options or Preferences menu of your browser. Visit www.allaboutcookies.org to learn more.

Sale of Personal Data

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Social Media Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.

Targeting Cookies

We also use cookies to personalize your experience on our websites, including by determining the most relevant content and advertisements to show you, and to monitor site traffic and performance, so that we may improve our websites and your experience. You may opt out of our use of such cookies (and the associated “sale” of your Personal Information) by using this toggle switch. You will still see some advertising, regardless of your selection. Because we do not track you across different devices, browsers and GEMG properties, your selection will take effect only on this browser, this device and this website.