Hiring Authorities and Flexibilities

Hiring Authorities and Flexibilities

Appointing Authorities for Veterans Special Hiring Authorities for Veterans – 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans – Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) – Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA)

Appointing Authorities for Veterans 30 Percent or More Disabled Veterans – Veterans with a disability of 30 percent or more who meet the qualification requirements for the position can be hired under a time-limited appointment lasting at least 60 days – Hiring manager may convert the veteran to a permanent competitive service position at any time during the temporary appointment

Appointing Authorities for Veterans Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) – for eligible veterans who meet one of the following: – Are disabled – Have a campaign badge – Have the Armed Forces Service Medal – Honorably separated from service within the last 3 years

Appointing Authorities for Veterans VRA basics – 2-year excepted appointment – Initial appointment up to GS-11 – Eligible veterans who successfully complete the 2-year program must be converted to a permanent position in the competitive service

Appointing Authorities for Veterans Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) – Allows veterans to apply under merit promotion procedures for a permanent competitive service position – Veterans’ preference does not apply – Provides access to jobs that were otherwise closed

Appointing Authorities for Veterans Veterans’ Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) – Preference eligibles and veterans separated after 3 years or more of active service may compete for jobs filled under merit promotion procedures when agencies accept applications from individuals outside of their workforce

Noncompetitive Appointment Authority - Military Spouses Facilitates entry of military spouses into the Federal Government Eligible spouses must apply in response to a Job Opportunity Announcement on USAJOBS Eligible spouses must meet qualification requirements for the position

Noncompetitive Appointment Authority - Military Spouses Agencies may choose to hire eligible military spouses under this special hiring authority 3 categories of eligibility – an applicant must be one of the following: – Relocating with service member spouse under Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders, – Spouse of a service member who is 100 percent disabled due to a service-connected injury, or – Spouse of a service member killed while on active duty

Noncompetitive Appointment Authority - Military Spouses Eligibility time limits: – 2 years of eligibility from the date of the spouse’s Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders – Permanent eligibility from the date of the documentation indicating the serviceconnected disability or death

Excepted Service Employment Excepted by Statute, Executive Order, or OPM action, and listed under Schedules A, B, C or D - Schedule A – Cannot use traditional examining methods; not subject to OPM qualification standards - Schedule B – Cannot hold open competition; must meet OPM qualification standards - Schedule C – Political appointees

Excepted Service Employment Excepted by Statute, Executive Order, or OPM action, and listed under Schedules A, B, C or D - Schedule D – Temporarily removed when filled by students or individuals who recently completed their education OPM also grants agency-specific Schedule A and B authorities

Excepted Service Appointments Individuals with Disabilities Appointment, under Schedule A, of individuals with disabilities – Designed to remove barriers and increase employment opportunities for these individuals – Improves the Federal Government’s ability to hire persons with these disabilities – Requires proof of the disability

Excepted Service Appointments Individuals with Disabilities 3 categories of eligibles – an applicant must have one of the following: – Intellectual disability, – Psychiatric disability, or – Severe physical disability

Excepted Service Appointments Individuals with Disabilities – Temporary appointments or non-temporary appointments – Eligibility for non-competitive appointment to permanent after successfully completing 2 years

Pathways Programs Internship Program Formerly known as the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) and Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) – Provides students with paid opportunities to work and explore Federal careers while still in school – Formal written agreement between the agency and student – Work is related to the student’s academic pursuits or career interests

Pathways Programs Internship Program – Successful students are eligible for a permanent job in the competitive service upon completing academic requirements – Interns may: Work full- or part-time Be hired on a temporary basis for up to one year, or an indefinite period Be converted to a permanent or term position

Pathways Programs Recent Graduates Program New Program – 1-year program with formal training and developmental opportunities to meet specific agency needs – Appointed at the GS-5/7/9 (GS-11 or 12 for certain scientific or professional positions) – Eligibility for permanent appointment to the competitive service

Pathways Programs - Presidential Management Fellows Program Revamped Program – 2-year leadership development program – Fellows appointed at the GS-9, 11, or 12 – Rigorous training requirements – Eligible for permanent placement upon: Successful completion of fellowship Certification by agency Executive Resources Board

Excepted Service Appointments Fellowships, Scholarships, and Similar Programs (5 CFR 213.3102(r)) – Positions are filled from a limited applicant pool and operate under requirements established by a Federal agency and/or a nonFederal entity – Appointments may not exceed 4 years

Direct Hire Authority Allows agencies to hire individuals without regard to sections 3309 – 3318 of title 5 to positions for which: – Public notice has been given, and – OPM has determined either a: Severe shortage of candidates (i.e., agencies expect to hire all available qualified candidates), or Critical hiring need (e.g., agencies need to fill positions quickly due to an emergency, to meet legal requirements, carry out a Presidential mandate)

Hiring Authorities Experts and Consultants Appointments - To perform temporary or intermittent expert or consultant work - Up to GS-15, Step 10 - Cannot perform managerial or supervisory work

Hiring Authorities Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) Details - From state/local governments and educational institutions - 2-year assignments

U.S Office of Personnel Management Recruitment and Hiring