Display Related Directives to this directive.

DOE P 426.1

E R R A T A S H E E T

This Errata Sheet transmits an administrative change to DOE P 420.1, FEDERAL TECHNICAL
CAPABILITY POLICY FOR DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES, dated 12-10-98; and DOE G
420.1-1, RECRUITING, HIRING, AND RETAINING HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL STAFF,
dated 12-10-98. These directives are being re-issued under the “426" subject matter category.
The “420" category is a general classification for “Facilities Authorization” and therefore does not
reflect a specific designation for “Training at Nuclear Facilities”. The subject directives are
hereby reissued as DOE P 426.1, FEDERAL TECHNICAL CAPABILITY POLICY FOR
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES, and DOE G 426.1-1, RECRUITING, HIRING, AND
RETAINING HIGH-QUALITY TECHNICAL STAFF.

U.S. Department of Energy POLICY
Washington, D.C. DOE P 426.1

12-10-98

SUBJECT: FEDERAL TECHNICAL CAPABILITY POLICY FOR
DEFENSE NUCLEAR FACILITIES

PURPOSE AND SCOPE

The Federal Technical Capability Program provides for the recruitment, deployment,
development, and retention of Federal personnel with the demonstrated technical capability to
safely accomplish the Department’s missions and responsibilities. The Federal Technical
Capability Program is institutionalized through Department of Energy (DOE) directives to
establish the program’s objective, guiding principles, and functions.

The program is specifically applicable to those offices and organizations performing functions
related to the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities. It is applied to all aspects of
recruitment, deployment, development, and retention of Federal employees in these organizations.
The objective of this policy is achieved by other means for Naval Reactors (Naval Nuclear
Propulsion Program).

Other organizations within the Department may also apply elements of the program on an
optional basis. There are a number of DOE offices and organizations that must ensure their
Federal employees are appropriately trained and technically capable when carrying out their
responsibilities. While these offices and organizations fall outside the Defense Nuclear Facilities
Safety Board jurisdiction, DOE is committed to ensuring that responsible employees are trained
and technically capable when performing their duties.

POLICY

The Department of Energy is committed to developing and maintaining a technically competent
workforce to accomplish its missions in a safe and efficient manner through the Federal Technical
Capability Program. It is Department policy that the program and functions described herein shall
be used to recruit, deploy, develop and retain a workforce that can ensure this occurs. The
Department will strive to recruit and hire technically capable personnel, continuously develop the
technical expertise of its existing workforce and, within the limitations of executive policy and
Federal law, retain critical technical capabilities within the Department at all times. Although
specifically relating to the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities, the principles and intent of
the Federal Technical Capability Program may be applied to organizations that fall outside the
purview of the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. The Department is determined to
continue making improvements in the capabilities of the Federal workforce and to fully utilize all
of the tools at its disposal.
The principles of the Federal Technical Capability Program are the following:
As stated in the Department’s Integrated Safety Management Guiding Principles: Federal
personnel possess the experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that are necessary to
discharge their safety responsibilities;
Line managers are accountable and have the responsibility, authority, and flexibility to
achieve and maintain technical excellence;

Supporting organizations (personnel, training, contracts, finance, etc.) recognize line
managers as customers and effectively support them in achieving and maintaining technical
capabilities; and,

An integrated corporate approach is required to assure that necessary technical capabilities
and resources are available to meet the overall needs of the Department’s defense nuclear
facility missions.

The Federal Technical Capability Program consists of the four elements described below. These
elements are interrelated and use of only one or two of the elements will not ensure that an
organization achieves its technical capability goals. For the Federal Technical Capability Program
to succeed, all elements must be effectively implemented.

Executive Commitment and Line Management Ownership: This function includes establishing
policies and procedures, accountability, program direction, monitoring, and continuous
improvement.

· The Department will establish a Federal Technical Capability Panel consisting of Senior
Technical Safety Managers to oversee the implementation of the Federal Technical Capability
Program.

· The effectiveness of the Federal Technical Capability Program will be periodically assessed
using both internal and external experts.

· The Federal Technical Capability Program will be institutionalized through directives,
standards, procedures, and guidance documents.

Recruiting and Deploying Technically Capable Personnel: This function includes career path
planning, succession planning, defining position responsibilities, and filling technical positions with
high-quality technical personnel.

· The Department will pursue renewal of Defense Act Excepted Service Authority as necessary
to attract highly competent technical personnel.

· A Federal Technical Staffing Plan will be developed and maintained by each defense nuclear
facility field and program element. This staffing plan will form the basis for the recruitment,
development, and deployment of personnel.

Developing and Documenting Technically Capable Personnel: This function includes
baselining existing technical capabilities as well as individual development planning and
improvement.

· Technical Qualification Programs will form the basis for the development and assignment of
personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities.

· Fellowship programs and other continuing education processes will be utilized to enhance the
continuous improvement of technical personnel.

· Personnel involvement with professional organizations, authoring of professional papers and
pursuit of professional certifications will be encouraged.

Retaining Critical Technical Skills: This function includes career path planning, succession
planning, performance reviews, promotions, and rewards.

· The Department will identify the critical technical positions which are essential for ensuring
the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities, and establish programs and processes to ensure
that those critical technical capabilities are maintained.

· Promotions, rewards, fellowships, industry exchange programs, rotational assignments and
other related programs will be used to enhance the retention of personnel who continue to
exhibit sustained superior performance in critical technical positions.

BILL RICHARDSON
Secretary of Energy

DISTRIBUTION: INITIATED BY:
All Departmental Elements Office of Management
and Administration