Mapp Submits Legislation Allowing Federal Employees To Accept Temporary Assignments With VI Government While Keeping Their Benefits

ST. THOMAS — In an effort to help the local government recruit expert assistance and temporarily cover “hard to fill” positions, Governor Kenneth Mapp has asked the 31st Legislature to approve a measure that will allow the territory to fully participate in the Intergovernmental Personnel Act Mobility Program or IPA, a press release Government House issued on Friday has made known.

The program allows for employees from the federal government to work in local or state agencies for up to two years with an option to extend their tenure for two more. The positions are often those that require a specialized skill. Mr. Mapp stated that senators needed to amend the territory’s personnel statutes in order to benefit from the highly trained professionals available to assist the islands locally under the IPA program.

“As we rebuild our relationship with our federal partners and gain more access to the assistance that the federal government is making available to us, I believe it is in our best interest to implement this measure. In summary, this measure authorizes the executive branch to meet our financial obligation under the IPA to ensure that those employees who are on loan to our government suffer no loss of compensation or benefits as a federal employee during their tenure of service to the people of the Virgin Islands,” the governor wrote in his letter to Senate President Neville James.

The first federal official who stands to benefit from the measure, if approved, will be the governor’s pick to lead the territory’s Department of Health, Dr. Michelle S. Davis, a high-rated U.S. Department of Health and Human Services official, currently on loan to the territory for two years.

“Capitalizing on the many resources available to us is a necessary and critical step ensuring that the Territory maintains the ability to provide for the basic needs of the community while delivering excellent and competent service to members of the public. This measure is a necessary step toward achieving that goal,” the governor concluded.

Feature Image: Michelle S. Davis

Image Credit: HSS.