ML25238A055
| ML25238A055 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 08/26/2025 |
| From: | Virkar H OIG Watch |
| To: | Mark King NRC/EDO |
| References | |
| OIG-NRC-25-A-03 | |
| Download: ML25238A055 (1) | |
Text
NRC Headquarters l 11555 Rockville Pike l Rockville, Maryland 20852 l 301.415.5930 nrcoig.oversight.gov MEMORANDUM DATE:
August 26, 2025 TO:
Michael F. King Acting Executive Director for Operations FROM:
Hruta Virkar, CPA /RA/
Assistant Inspector General for Audits & Evaluations
SUBJECT:
STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS: AUDIT OF THE U.S.
NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES (OIG-NRC-25-A-03)
REFERENCE:
DEPUTY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR NUCLEAR MATERIALS, ADMINISTRATIVE, AND COPORATE PROGRAMS, OFFICE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR OPERATIONS, MEMORANDUM DATED JULY 29, 2025 Attached is the Office of the Inspector Generals (OIG) analysis and status of recommendation as discussed in the agencys response dated July 29, 2025. Based on this response, recommendations 1.1 through 2.2 are now closed. Recommendation 2.3 remains open and resolved. Please provide an updated status of the open, resolved recommendation by February 27, 2026.
If you have any questions or concerns, please call me at 301.415.1982 or Mike Blair, Team Leader, at 301.415.8399.
Attachment:
As stated cc: J. Martin ADO D. Lewis DADO E. Deeds, OEDO OIG Liaison Resource EDO ACS Distribution
AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS (OIG-NRC-25-A-03) 2 Recommendation 1.1:
Develop data quality controls for the Workforce Transformation Tracking System (WTTS), create/update detailed guidance for implementing these controls, and train staff to perform these controls properly, especially with regard to the dates and information expected in key WTTS data fields.
Agency Response Dated July 29, 2025:
The Office of the Chief Human Capital Officer (OCHCO)
Human Resources Operations and Policy (HROP) has developed a WTTS Guide which sets out clear and consistent data quality controls. The guide provides detailed instructions for implementing these controls and will be maintained in real time to ensure process efficiencies and opportunities for improvement are identified. To further enhance data quality, OCHCO completed a comprehensive cleanup of the Recruitment Actions in Progress Report to remove outdated records. In June 2025, staff were trained to track active recruitment actions and identify missing or inaccurate data in key WTTS fields.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG reviewed and verified that the revised WTTS Job Aid meets the intent of the recommendation. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS (OIG-NRC-25-A-03) 3 Recommendation 1.2:
Update the format of WTTS reports to ensure they clearly capture the information required for internal reviews and external reporting.
Agency Response Dated July 29, 2025:
The OCHCO/HROP staff coordinate with the OCHCO/Human Capital Analysis Branch (HCAB) to implement controls to ensure data integrity in reformatted WTTS reports. OCHCO used the reformatted reports to create a hiring status dashboard that will be used to standardize internal reviews and external reporting of hiring data. The dashboard uses source data from FPPS and WTTS.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG met with the HCAB for a demonstration of the new reporting process and the updated reports. The OIG verified that the WTTS reports were updated and clearly capture information for internal and external reporting. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS (OIG-NRC-25-A-03) 4 Recommendation 2.1:
Update guidance and ensure that all OCHCO staff take appropriate training regarding the hiring process. This training should include refresher training.
Agency Response Dated July 29, 2025:
A third-party concluded an evaluation of the NRCs Hiring Process on March 31, 2025. OCHCO/HROP updated the hiring process guidance following the issuance of the final report. Human Resources (HR) Specialist training was then conducted on June 5, 2025, and June 23, 2025. Starting in 2026, refresher training will occur annually in June.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG verified that HR Specialist refresher training was conducted on June 5, 2025, and June 23, 2025, and meets the intent of this recommendation. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS (OIG-NRC-25-A-03) 5 Recommendation 2.2:
Develop procedures and adjust the functions/tasks between the HR specialists and hiring managers to better balance the workload among the staff.
Agency Response Dated July 29, 2025:
OCHCO received the final third-party evaluation of the Hiring Process on March 31, 2025. The evaluation identified process inefficiencies and outlined recommendations to streamline the steps in the hiring process, including the appropriate assignment of process functions. In June 2025, OCHCO/HROP staff developed procedures and adjusted the functions/tasks between the HR Specialists and the hiring managers to better balance the workload. The new procedures incorporate the recommendations outlined in the evaluation and are in use today.
OIG Analysis:
The OIG reviewed the report from the third-party evaluation as well as the NRCs updated hiring process. Together these documents show the adjusted functions that attempt to balance workload. These actions meet the intent of the recommendation. This recommendation is now closed.
Status:
Closed
AUDIT OF THE U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSIONS RECRUITING AND RETENTION ACTIVITIES STATUS OF RECOMMENDATIONS (OIG-NRC-25-A-03) 6 Recommendation 2.3:
Develop plans to expand the use of the NRCs excepted service authority.
Agency Response Dated July 29, 2025:
The NRC continues to incorporate expanded authorities granted in the ADVANCE Act and recent direction in the Office of Personnel Managements May 29, 2025, Merit Hiring Plan to broaden the agencys recruitment and retention strategy. The agency is positioned to fully use the agencys excepted service authority when the federal hiring freeze is lifted.
OIG Analysis:
The NRCs planned actions meet the intent of the recommendation. The OIG will close the recommendation upon verification that the agencys excepted service authority has been expanded. This recommendation remains open and resolved.
Status:
Open: Resolved