Washington, D.C. - During an address at the National Press Club as a "Newsmaker," U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Linda M. Springer launched a major media campaign that highlights the diverse and exciting work available in the federal government. The campaign, which includes four commercials, is part of a broad plan to combat what Springer calls the "federal retirement tsunami."

"Processing student loan applications, answering social security benefits questions, printing new currency, guiding tourists at national parks, inspecting food for safety and quality, monitoring the weather, guarding prisons, issuing patents, treating patients in VA hospitals," said Springer. "These important and interesting services and thousands more are done every day. And they're done by the men and women of the United States Government. At OPM, our job is to be sure the Federal Government will have an effective civilian workforce so these services can continue - not just next week or next month, but for years to come."

While discussing the advertising campaign, Springer said OPM is estimating that 60 percent of the federal government's workforce will be eligible to retire over the next 10 years and that 40 percent will likely retire. She also discussed what OPM is doing to combat the potential loss of thousands of federal employees.

"This campaign helps raise the awareness of potential employees around the country of the exciting and rewarding careers they can find in the federal government," said Springer. "The media effort also helps spotlight the government's premier job website USAJOBS. Updated daily, the site allows applicants to view up to 30,000 jobs and customize searches by criteria including agency, job title and location."

Springer said: "Raising awareness is just the beginning. Filling positions in the 21^st Century will require a new hiring mindset and approach. Why? The pool of prospective workers is becoming increasingly diverse in its employment arrangement goals. Today's talent pool is seeking employer-employee relationships that vary across many dimensions and are not

limited to traditional career patterns. While not abandoning traditional arrangements, the federal government must become an inviting employer who can accommodate interests of individuals that span the range of career patterns."

Springer also discussed the need to create a new work environment, one that takes into consideration the needs of the future workforce, and she expressed optimism that the federal government will meet whatever task it is presented.

"The challenge is clear, and we are hard at work," said Springer. "With a 21^st Century approach to the workplace, the federal government will ride the retirement wave and set the standard for a modern workplace. I am convinced the workforce will include a mix of career patterns that differs from the traditional long-term federal workforce. It will be a modern workplace, one that requires innovative training and encourage more flexibility by managers. The federal workforce will be one that the American people can count on."

The advertising campaign will be launched in various parts of the country beginning in mid-May.