Tragedy sparks renewed interest in public service By Kellie Lunney Many federal employees who have retired from public service are eager to return to work in the wake of last week's terrorist attacks, according to officials at the Office of Personnel Management. Other agencies, including the CIA and Coast Guard, have also reported a surge in interest among retirees and other people people eager to go to work for the government. "We have been getting a number of phone calls throughout our Employment Service Office from individual retirees interested in coming back to work to help out if they are needed," said Ellen Tunstall, assistant director for employment policy at OPM. Tunstall said OPM did not have specific numbers yet on how many people have offered to return. OPM has set up an e-mail address for federal retirees who are interested in returning to government service. Interested retirees can e-mail OPM at patriot@opm.gov. Those interested in applying for jobs with the federal government should refer to the USAJOBS Web site, OPM officials said. Under normal circumstances, re-employed federal retirees are required by law to take a reduction in pay or benefits if they want to return to government employment, but OPM announced last week that it is prepared to give agency heads the authority to grant waivers, and will respond to such requests immediately. Full story: http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0901/091701m1.htm