Help Wanted

A recently released congressional report said roughly a quarter of the top leadership posts at the Department of Homeland Security have yet to be filled. In other words, there is a gaping hole in the nation’s preparedness for a terrorist attack or other threat.

At DHS there are 575 positions and 138 of them are vacant. The greatest voids are in policy, legal and intelligence sections. There also are vacancies in immigration, FEMA and the Coast Guard. The current administration argues that the numbers are skewed because of a spring expansion. No matter; before that there were 12 percent of positions unfilled and staff members acknowledge that the department has always been thinly staffed.

According to Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), the vacancies have weakened morale and reflect an over-reliance on contractors. Thompson also said the agency can expect more vacancies. Here’s an interesting twist. Republican Congressman Thomas M. David III, who is the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, agreed. He said the inability to fill jobs is creating problems within DHS offices.

Here’s something to really consider. DHS has one of the largest rosters of senior political appointees in the government. Why? In part because of how it was created. There are currently 130 vacancies at senior levels, with 92 applicants in the process of recruitment.

Then, there’s this. Homeland Security employees reported the lowest job satisfaction among 36 federal agencies in an OPM survey conducted in January. The director of the Secret Service generally averaged 10 years on the job, but that has dropped to less than three years, and the agency has had three directors since becoming part of DHS.

When Julie L. Myers was named as a recess appointment to head the Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2005, she came under fire by lawmakers who challenged her political connections and management qualifications.

Here’s the problem. Congress is sending the wrong message to employees by attacking individual appointees and agencies. Rather, they should ensure that they have confidence in the leadership already in place. The support of Congress would mean better leadership and a stronger agency.

As Americans, we count on these positions of leadership to be occupied. We count on Congress to watch the back of political appointees because leadership is what makes the difference. This has to be a first line of defense. It’s a priority.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

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