FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, October 29, 2003

Peace Corps Named Great Place to Work

WASHINGTON, D.C., October 29, 2003 – The Peace Corps is proud to announce that it has been featured in the Washingtonian Magazine’s November issue as one of the top 50 great places to work in the Washington metropolitan area. The Peace Corps, located in downtown Washington, is one of only five federal agencies that was awarded this recognition.

“The Peace Corps is honored to receive this recognition as one of the top workplaces in Washington. The credit lies with our employees who are continually working to carry on the Peace Corps’ mission,” stated Director Gaddi H. Vasquez. “The people here know they are not just working for a government agency, but they are supporting volunteers at the grassroots level who are making a real difference in the lives of community members around the world.

The story, written by Lisa Daniel, is a culmination of an on-site reporter visit and tour of the agency, and interviews and feedback from employees at the Paul D. Coverdell Headquarters Building. The story features discussions with employees who commented on the experiences that they have gained by working at the Peace Corps headquarters in downtown Washington. The reporter also interviewed outside analysts regarding Peace Corps work practices, pay scale, and other work-related issues.

“Every day, employees at Peace Corps headquarters are reminded of the agency’s work in helping people. Walls, ceilings, and cubicles display arts and crafts from the far reaches of the globe where volunteers, many of whom are now employees, have served,” the article states. “Morale stays high with bipartisan support extending back to when President Kennedy established the Peace Corps 42 years ago.”

The other government agencies that were recognized by Washingtonian Magazine are the Coast Guard, the General Accounting Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the National Transportation Safety Board.

More than 700 employees at the Paul D. Coverdell Headquarters Building work to support 71 Peace Corps posts across the globe and the 7,533 volunteers working in the field. Click here to read the article.

Since 1961, more than 170,000 volunteers have served in the Peace Corps, working in such diverse fields as education, health, HIV/AIDS education and awareness, information technology, business development, the environment, and agriculture. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a two-year commitment.


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