News Digest

WATERTOWN, N.Y. – Jefferson Community College (JCC) will offer a 12-week pre-apprenticeship construction program at the Lewis County JCC Education Center (LCEC) in Lowville. The program will run from July 17 through Oct. 9. Thanks to a New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) grant, unemployed and underemployed individuals can apply for the program at no cost (free!). Individuals are encouraged to submit their online interest form now.

The program offers participants 400 hours of hands-on experience and industry-specific training, fostering the development of skills and knowledge crucial for a successful career in the construction industry.

Participants will obtain two industry-recognized credentials: the OSHA 10 card, which signifies completion of essential construction workplace safety training, and the Level 1 Carpentry certification from the National Center for Construction Education and Research. Upon completing the training, successful candidates will have an opportunity to apply for skilled trade apprenticeships or move directly into employment within the construction sector.

Tuition for this program is $3,851. Grant funding may be available for qualified applicants.

JCC’s Workforce Development office helps employees and employers use training and education benefits. LCEC is conveniently accessible via Lewis County Public Transportation.

Find information about funding eligibility, program overview and access the interest form on Jefferson Community College’s website, www.sunyjefferson.edu/construction. Inquiries may be directed to JCC Workforce Development at (315) 786-2233 or email ced@sunyjefferson.edu.

The following Appropriated Fund employees have been accepted in the Leave Recipient Program: Robert Covillon, Michael Day, Sarah Doherty, Benjamin Grass, Ann Hooley, Lisa Jefferds, Sara Reinhardt, Susan Ruiz, Paul Serow, and Colleen Shear, all of MEDDAC; and Allen Lovelace and Shawn Walker, of Directorate of Public Works.

Appropriated Fund employees who wish to donate annual leave should complete an OPM 630A, Request to Donate Annual Leave to Leave Recipient Under the Voluntary Leave Transfer Program, and forward it to the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Bldg. 430A, for processing.

Transition centers are now able to create and sign DD Form 214s and separation orders! Soldiers who experienced a delay can contact their transition center for separation orders and schedule an appointment to receive their DD Form 214s.

Soldiers who are already on transition leave or separated, but who did not receive their DD Form 214, will receive a copy in the mail and in IPERMs. DD Form 214s for Soldiers who are on transition leave or separated will state “service member not available for signature.” DD 214s marked this way instead of signed by Soldier are completely valid.

If you haven’t received your DD Form 214 in the mail, and you have not had contact with your transition center, Army officials encourage you to contact the transition center at the installation you departed for an updated status.

If you have corrections to your DD Form 214 after you have separated, contact the Army Service Center 24-hour line at 1-844-474-7772.

The Fort Drum Medical Activity now offers secondary COVID-19 booster shots based on updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

*Patients age 50 or older may choose to receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.

*Patients age 18-49 who received a Janssen COVID-19 vaccine as both their primary series and booster dose may receive a second booster dose using an mRHA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first Janssen booster dose.

*Patients 12 or older who are moderately or severely immunocompromised may receive a second booster dose using an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine at least four months after the first booster dose.

MEDDAC beneficiaries who fall under one of those categories may call (315) 772-2778 to schedule an appointment.

Fort Drum’s Directorate of Emergency Services encourages everyone to contribute to community security by reporting suspicious behavior or activities to (315) 774-8477 (TIPS).

Callers to the anonymous tip line should report odd behaviors and activities, such as people measuring or asking for blueprints of important buildings; strangers asking about security protocols; a briefcase, suitcase, backpack or package left behind; vehicles left unattended in front of buildings; and chemical smells or fumes coming from a residence or business. The effort is part of iWatch Army, an antiterrorism program.

Weingarten Notice

Right to Representation During Investigatory Interviews

In accordance with the requirements of 5 USC 7114(a)(3), this is to advise bargaining unit employees that:

An exclusive representative of an appropriate bargaining unit in an agency shall be given the opportunity to be represented at any examination of an employee in the bargaining unit by a representative of the agency in connection with an investigation if (a) the employee reasonably believes that the examination may result in disciplinary action against the employee and (b) the employee requests representation.

Please call the labor relations specialist in the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center (CPAC) or your union at the appropriate number listed below if you have any questions.

•Labor Relations Specialist: (315) 772-5023

•AFGE Local 400: (315) 772-3039

•NAGE Local R2-61: (315) 772-3306

•IAFF Local F-105: (315) 772-5114

•NAGE Local R2-63: (617) 376-7208

Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in Guthrie Clinic, Patient Care Wing, Patient Service Center conference room. For more information, call (315) 772-0035.