Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s job fairs offer great opportunities for applicants

BySusanneGreene

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

ThePortsmouthRenaissanceHotel’sballroom was buzzing with activity July 15, as job seekers from throughout the Hampton Roadsarea,showedupearlyforanopportunitytoworkatAmerica’sShipyard

“The shipyard offers excellent pay and benefits and there is greater job security in working for the government versus the private sector,” said Norfolk Naval Shipyard Department 900 Production Service SpecialistMichaelMillet “Thejobfairsare awonderfulopportunityforyoutocomeout andseewhereittakesyou.”

“Lots of training opportunities are also available through NNSY for someone that doesnothavemuchexperience,”saidUnited States Fleet Forces Human Resources Recruitment and Replacement Specialist KarenGeaumont.“Yougetpaidthroughthe apprentice program and there are promotional opportunities through each step of theprocess.”

Geaumont added, “When you come into the apprenticeship program you are a permanent, full-time federal employee and allofthebenefitsapply Thisisagreatopportunitywithgrowthpotential.”

In the last 12 months, NNSY has filled more than 750 vacancies through in-personjobfairs NNSY’s Administrative Services Division(Code1102)hasbeenmakingeffortsto improvethehiringandonboardingprocess for the shipyard, in coordination with Fleet Human Resources Office (FLTHRO) The Office of Civilian Human Resources (OCHR), Norfolk is also on hand at all job fairstoassistapplicantswiththeirresumes

“OCHR’s role at the job fair is to review qualifications, so when applicants provide their resume to us we have the position description in Waypoints we look at the applicant’sresumeandseeifitmatchesthe qualifications in the system, said OCHR Norfolk, Supervisory Human Resources SpecialistDebraSawyer “Aslongasanapplicant has some qualifying experience, there is an excellent chance for a candidate to be selected.”

NNSY applicant Sandy Rodgers came to theeventwithherson.

“Wecamedownbecauseweweresohopefultomeettherecruitersandseewhatopen positionstheyhaveatNNSY, saidRodgers “They have such an array of opportunities and my son and I are very appreciative of them holding the job fair over the summer, so we have the time to come down and get informationontheirnewjobopportunities.”

“Wehavean absolutely awesomeorganizationatNorfolkNavalShipyardandit’snot only what we do, but how we support the U.S.NavyFleetsotheycanaccomplishtheir mission,”saidNNSYProductionResources Officer Captain Frank Gasperetti. “There is greatsatisfactionandprideinknowingthat when you come to work at America’s Ship- yard you are a key contributor to national andglobalsecurity.”

“The shipyard is hoping to fill both parttime and full-time positions for welders, pipefitters, electricians, marine machinery mechanics, riggers and other production support positions,” said NNSY Supervisory Administrative Management Specialist DarleneBarnes.

“Today we have openings for all of our production jobs,” said NNSY Code 900A ProductionBusinessManagerUrsulaJones “NNSY also offers a “Help to the Worker” programforindividualswithnoexperience andallofourtradesarehiring.”

Jones continued, “NNSY is a wonderful place to work and it is a family-oriented organization. This morning I brought my husbandwhoislookingforajobandwehave ourkidswithustoo.

As part of NNSY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, American Sign Language(ASL)InterpreterLaurenGonzalez participated in the fair to provide interpretationforthedeafandhardofhearing.

“I am so excited that we are able to partner with NNSY on today’s job fair as well as future fairs,” said Gonzalez. The shipyard wants to make sure that the deaf and hard of hearing community applicants are gettingtheservicestheyrequireandIwant to applaud NNSY for providing interpreters from the very beginning of this hiring process.” NNSY jobs are full-time and part-time federal jobs with competitive salaries and benefits for employees and Apprentice School students As part of Navy and shipyard leadership’s push to improve Federal Wage System rates, pay rates have recently improved for much of the shipyard workforce.

Theshipyardislookingforciviliancandidates as well as individuals with prior militaryservice.

“If you have recently separated from the military,orretired,pleasecomedowntoone ofourjobfairs,”saidGasperetti “Youwillbe bringingalevelofexpertisethatweareseeking,alongwiththevaluesofhonor,courage, andcommitment.”

Gasperetti continued, “You already have thebaselineandleadershipskillsetsweare lookingfor socomeonoutandseetheamazingopportunitiesthatawaityou.

Upcoming Job Fairs

„ August12 9a.m.to3p.m.-Hilton NorfolktheMain,100E.MainStreet, Norfolk,VA23510

„ September9 9a.m.to3p.m.-Suffolk ConventionCenter 100E.Constance Road,Suffolk,VA23434

„ October21 9a.m.to3p.m.-Virginia BeachConventionCenter,100019th Street,VirginiaBeach,VA23451

„ November18 9a.m.to3p.m.-Suffolk ConventionCenter,100E Constance Road,Suffolk,VA23434

Joint Safety Council seeks to turn around mishap concerns

ByRebeccaColeman

Naval Safety Command Safety

Promotions-Public Affairs

NORFOLK Va

In the early afternoon on Dec 11, 2022 in Petronila, Texas, a 25-year-oldMarinelieutenantcrashedtheir motorcycle and was pronounced deceased onsite.

Two months later, on Feb. 10, 2023, during the early evening hours in Jacksonville, North Carolina, a Navy petty officer first class motorcyclist struck the rear of a vehicle Bystanders attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful The rider waspronounceddeceasedatthescene

Theseareonlytwoofmorethan55motorcycle-related fatalities the armed services have experienced so far this fiscal year What can we do to reduce these mishaps and prevent further loss of our most valued resource our people? It is a question that is foremost in the minds of the Joint Safety Council.

By sharing and facilitating interservice lessonslearnedandbestpractices theJSCis addressingnotonlymotorvehiclemishaps, but other safety-related issues across aviation,afloatandgroundoperations

The Naval Safety Command hosted the JSC’s quarterly meeting on July 6-7. The council is comprised of representatives from all the armed services, including the National Guard, U.S. Coast Guard, Office of the Secretary of Defense and its newest member,theNationalSafetyCouncil.

TheJSCstoodupinAugust2022,withthe DepartmentoftheAirForceChiefofSafety, Maj.Gen JeannieLeavitt,leadingthecouncil. The council integrates with the DepartmentofDefense’sexistingsafetygovernance process,providingaconduittoelevateoperational safety recommendations to senior DoDleadership Leavitt noted this was her last meeting as chair and that Rear Adm. Christopher Engdahl, NAVSAFECOM commander, will nowleadtheJSC

The general acknowledged the ongoing

NORFOLK(July6,2023) Maj.Gen.Jeannie Leavitt,Department oftheAirForce ChiefofSafety and Commander AirForce SafetyCenter center leads a discussion during aJoint Safety Council meeting at the Naval SafetyCommand.TheJoint SafetyCouncil provides a dedicated structure to the Department ofDefense to ensure militaryoperational safetyremains at the forefront ofDoD riskmanagement decision-making and furtherenhances the department’s commitment to continuouslyimprove its safetyprogram and protect and preserve the safety ofourservice members and civilian personnel.(U.S.NAVYPHOTOBYMASSCOMMUNICATION SPECIALIST1STCLASS(SW/AW)WESTONA.MOHR) challenge to reduce and prevent private motor vehicle mishaps specifically PMV-4 (carsandtrucks)andPMV-2(motorcycles) acrosstheservices,butnotedhowdataanalysiscanplayacrucialrole

Engdahl provided an overview of the command’s data analysis capabilities (modeling) program, demonstrating the abilitytodifferentiatebetweenunitsexhibitingtraitsofpreviousmishapandnon-mishapunits

“I’m really excited to see how the Naval Safety Command is leading the way in data analytics,” Leavitt said. “We have a lot of data, and we’re beginning to standardize it, which will open up new opportunities

Now,weneedtoidentifyleadingindicators inordertopreventfuturemishaps.”

To aid in this effort, the council is forming a data analysis working group, which will further facilitate interservice analytical initiatives and create synergy through collaboration, resolve common issues and share methodologies, data findings, mitigation efforts and recommend initiatives and studiestotheJSC

If incidents start to trend negatively, Leavitt said it will be necessary to identify leading indicators and act accordingly to prevent future mishaps Developing methods to identify these indicators will be one oftheworkinggroup’sfirsttaskstoaddress

“We see that seatbelts are a concern peoplearenotwearingthem, saidLorraine Martin,NSCpresidentandCEO

What are the other leading indicators in PMV mishaps is it speed, complacency, distractionsorlackofsafetyequipment?

TheJSChopestoanswerthesequestions by analyzing motor vehicle data gathered fromtheservices

Thecouncilhadafullagenda,includinga reviewoftheservices’recentmishapsanda briefingonaproposedDoD-widemotorcycle mentorship program, with beta testing scheduledforAugust2023atMarineCorps BaseQuantico,Virginia.

Including external agencies, such as the NSC,addsadifferentperspectiveandhelps thecouncilrealizethatsafetyconcerns such as motor vehicle mishaps are felt nationwide,too

“We are all very interested in learning from our safety teammates and sharing lessons learned that our members bring to thetable,”saidLeavitt.

Engdahl reiterated Leavitt’s position on the JSC’s way ahead “We will continue to get better at sharing lessons learned from NAVSAFECOM and the other services,” he said “The move toward incorporating data analysisandstandardizingourdataamongst theServicesisjustoneofthestepsthecouncil is taking to ensure our forces remain ready,relevantandsafe.”

ByTroyMiller

Norfolk Naval Shipyard

Not many people can say when the Navy recruiter came to their house the recruiter hadtobebroughtinbyasnowmobilewhen it was dark outside. Business and Strategic PlanningOffice(Code1200)ServiceAcquisition Programs Branch Head Matt Daigle experiencedjustthat.Atage17,hepickedup hisNavyrecruiterapproximatelytwoanda half miles from his house because the road was not plowed during the winter Other than hiking, snowshoeing or cross country skiingindeepsnow,therewasnootherway fortherecruitertogettothehouse

“I was born and raised in house with no electricity,” said Daigle “I lived in Fort Kent,MainewhichisrightontheCanadian border Wehadabigloghouseinthemiddle of250acresofwoodedlandthatoverlooked the mountainside Weusedpropanegas for lights and cooking and our running water was gravity fed. During the winter months, asnowmobilewasourmaintransportation.

Daigle’sfamilyownedalumbercompany

This is one of the main reasons their house wasbuiltinanareathatdidn’thavecommon luxurieslikeelectricity,cabletelevision,and a telephone Being the youngest of six children, he knew that the lumber company life would no longer an option after his father passed when he was 12-years-old. Hedecidedtoventureoutintotheworldby joiningtheU.S.Navy

“MyfirstcommandwastheUSSConcord (AFS 5), a Mars class combat stores ship where I worked in the 600-pound steam plant and eventually becoming the Petty Officer in Charge of the auxiliary division (A-Gang) where I was a systems specialist who operated and maintained non-nuclear mechanical aboard the ship,” said Daigle.“Afteraboutfiveyears Itransferred to Brunswick Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine, where I was a Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape (SERE) School instructor.”

At approximately his 10-year mark in the Navy,hedecidedtotakeanearlyretirement andgointolawenforcement.However,after suffering a knee injury during the testing phase he entered the ship repair industry AfterastintatBathIronWorks Bath,Maine, and at Oceaneering International, Chesapeake, Va., he started serving his country againasafederalemployeeforNavalSurface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division as its Technical Services Program Manager, managing Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA)SUBSAFEContracts

In2015 DaiglemadeamovefromtheCity ofBrotherlyLovetoHamptonRoadswhere he assumed the Business Office’s contracting liaison position coordinating contract supportfromallthecontractingauthorities untilCode400wasstoodup Currentlyheis the chair for the Acquisition Review Board (ARB)whereheisresponsiblefortactically and strategically assessing and approving overhead and depot and intermediate availability and emergent submarine and surface ship service contract candidates and strategy that are aligned with NNSY resources and capabilities He schedules ARB sessions for the that have assessed andauthorizedtheoutsourcingofapproximately38,000organicwrenchturningman days via service contracts so far this fiscal year Daigleisalsotheprogrammanagerfor the Service Requirements Review Board (SRRB),whichisacommitteethatvalidates whatservicecontractswouldbecontracted out TheSRRBalsodecidesanexitplanwith any particular contract, to determine if it is work NNSY employees can do He schedules SRRB sessions where the board has assessed and authorized the outsourcing of approximately$153millionworthofservice contractssofarthisfiscalyear

“I enjoy what I do because I get to work with so many people throughout the shipyard,” said Daigle. “Whether if it’s helping someone put together all the necessary documents together for a project or to ensure top quality for the project is being met. It’s really rewarding helping someone toaccomplishtheirgoal.”

Aiding others doesn’t stop at the shipyard’s gates for Daigle He takes his love of riding motorcycles and combines it with his attachment to the Chesapeake/Virginia Beach Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Asso- ciationChapter(CVMA).

“I am a combat veteran, so I ride with Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association,” said Daigle “We are a 501(c)(19) non-profit organization and we ride and raise money through events and donations and turn it rightbacktoveteransprogramswesupport. We recently got back from riding to Colorado Springs and back for our national annualmeetingandItypicallyaverageover 8,000milesperyearfortheCVMA.”

Whether it be on his 2020 Harley DavidsonRoadGlideorsittingathisdeskatNNSY, Daiglewillcontinuetoserveothersuntilhe isunabletoserveanymore.

Daigle stated, “I believe charity first begins at home for me home are veterans and America’s Shipyard and I am proud to serveboth.