Classification of and staffing plan for employees and protection from hiring freezes

(a) In general Title IV of the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 (15 U.S.C. 8541 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following: 415. Classification of and staffing plan for employees and protection from hiring freezes (a) Classification of certain employees (1) In general Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall categorize each position in the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration specified in paragraph (2) as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System. (2) Positions specified The positions specified in this paragraph are the following positions in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as defined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management: (A) Meteorology Series (1340). (B) Hydrology Series (1315). (C) General Physical Science Series (1301). (D) Oceanographer Series (1360). (E) Electronics Technical Series (0856). (F) Information Technology Management Series (GS–2210). (G) Professional Mariners (as defined in section 269B of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3079b)) who are involved in the collection of data to support forecasts and warnings to protect human life and property (including Series 0865, 9901, 9916, 9920, 9923–24, 9927–28, 9931–34, 9944, 9954, 9960, 9965, 9968, 9971, 9973, and 9984). (b) 10-Year staffing plan for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this section, the Under Secretary shall submit to Congress a 10-year staffing plan for— (1) the National Weather Service; and (2) any positions within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that support forecasts and warnings to protect human life and property, including positions that involve— (A) collection of data for incorporation into watches and warnings; (B) operation and maintenance of equipment for collection of data described in subparagraph (A); (C) maintenance of information technology systems; (D) modeling for forecasts and warnings; and (E) research to improve forecasts, warnings, and communication of those warnings to better protect human life and property.. (b) Clerical amendment The table of contents for the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 414 the following: Sec. 415. Classification of and staffing plan for employees and protection from hiring freezes..