(December 12, 2022) — The National Weather Service (NWS) and NWSEO have come to an agreement on the first-ever NWS Job Share Program. This program aims to provide a more equitable process across the NWS for requesting, approving, and implementing job sharing, as well as offer more system transparency.
One important feature to the Job Share Program will be the creation of a registry for program applicants. This registry will be updated on an annual basis and will allow employees to express interest in the program, as well as find partners with whom they will share job duties.
Secondly, the Job Share Program will offer a more generous timeline for participants searching for a job sharing partner. Previously, if a participant’s partner left the Job Share Program, the remaining participant would only be granted 30 days to find a new partner, after which they would lose their job sharing eligibility. Now, participants who wish to stay in the program may get a 90-day extension to find another job share partner, with additional extensions possible beyond the 90 days on an individual basis.
Thirdly, there is now opportunity for employees who have lost their job-sharing eligibility to regain a positional grade held prior to job sharing. Historically, if an employee took a downgrade to their position in order to enter the Job Share Program, they would not be able to be repromoted upon leaving the program. Now, if an employee participating in the Job Share Program loses their partner and does not find a replacement, they may be able to be repromoted if there is a vacancy on station.
Lastly, the agreement broadens the scope of the Job Share Program’s eligible locations. Previously, job sharing was only available if both partners worked in the same office; now, support is offered to those who wish to continue to job share even if they move to a new facility. It should be noted, however, that moving costs are not provided for those who choose to do this.