Overview
A Direct Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that either the Office of Personnel Management or Congress may grant to the Department of Defense in order to expedite the recruitment process by exempting some of the requirements of traditional recruiting authorities. DHAs allow hiring managers to directly appoint qualified candidates without applying competitive rating and ranking procedures or veterans’ preference. Depending on the DHA authority, public notice may be required, modified, or exempt. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
Types of Hiring Authorities include:
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Direct Hiring Authority
- Department of Defense (DoD) DHA
- Army Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo)
- Science & Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) Demonstration Project
- Pathways Programs
References and Resources:
Civilian Human Resources Agency (CHRA)
CHRA DHA Matrix
Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service (DCPAS)
Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
Human Capital Initiatives (HCI)
Army Civilian Career Management Activity (ACCMA)
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Direct Hiring Authority (DHA)
A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can give to Federal agencies for filling vacancies when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists. DHA enables an agency to hire, after public notice is given, any qualified applicant without regard to 5 U.S.C. 3309-3318, 5 CFR part 211, or 5 CFR part 337, subpart A. DHA expedites hiring by eliminating competitive rating and ranking, veterans’ preference, and “rule of three” procedures. OPM published supplementary information and regulatory language in the Federal Register that explain the Direct-Hire Authority. See the final regulation, published June 15, 2004, 69 FR 33271, and the interim regulations published June 13, 2003, 68 FR 35265. The final regulations are codified at 5 CFR part 337, subpart B, in the CFR. In addition, Chapter 2 of the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook contains information on the use of the two types of Governmentwide direct-hire authority. OPM posts a list of the current Governmentwide DHAs. In addition, agencies must post all vacancies filled by DHA on USAJOBs. More information is available on the OPM DHA Information Page. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
Resources and References:
Office of Personnel Management DHA
5 U.S.C. § 3304
5 CFR Part 337, Subpart B
Delegated Examining Operations Handbook
USAJOBS
Department of Defense (DoD) Direct Hiring Authority (DHA)
Title 5, United States Code, Section 9905 “Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense” permits the Secretary of Defense to non-competitively appoint qualified candidates to certain positions in the competitive service in the DoD without regard to 5 U.S.C., chapter 33, subchapter I, other than sections 3303 and 3328. As a matter of policy, DoD has previously required the continued application of some of these provisions despite their statutory exclusion. This DHA enables DoD to recruit and appoint qualified persons directly without applying competitive rating and ranking procedures. The most recent DoD implementation procedures and guidance for this DHA are outlined in the Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense memorandum dated June 23, 2023. This memorandum provides guidance for using the direct hire authority in Title 5, United States Code, Section 9905 and incorporates statutory amendments expanding categories of covered occupations, designates all positions in the dental assistant series as shortage category occupations, and provides a new legal authority code. More information is available in the resources and references listed below. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
Resources and References:
Expansion of Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense (12 AUG 2024)
5 USC Ch. 99: Department of Defense Personnel Authorities
DoD Direct Hire Authority Information | DCPAS
DoD Direct Hiring Authority Resources for the Acquisition Workforce | HCI
Army Acquisition Demonstration Project (AcqDemo)
The DoD Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project (AcqDemo) is a Congressionally-mandated project designed to show that the DoD Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) workforce can be improved by providing employees with a flexible, responsive personnel system that rewards employee contribution and provides line managers with greater authority over personnel actions. The AcqDemo is designed to attract, motivate, and retain high-quality acquisition, technology, and logistics professionals. Acquisition professionals across DoD AT&L in all Services and Agencies are potentially eligible, as well as supporting personnel assigned to work directly with the AT&L workforce. There are currently over 5,000 total participants in the AcqDemo from the Services and OSD (AT&L). There are AcqDemo participants from all the Services, OUSD (AT&L), and the Defense Agencies. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
Resources and References:
DoD Acquisition Demonstration Project Homepage
Federal Register Amendment October 4, 2006 NSPS Transition
Federal Register Amendment July 1, 2002
Federal Register Amendment Volume 67 – Number 79 April 24, 2002
Federal Register Amendment Buy-In After Initial Implementation May 21, 2001
Federal Register Amendment January 8, 1999
Science & Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) Hiring Authority
Through the USD(R&E), the Secretary exercises the authorities granted to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) under 5 United Sates Code (U.S.C.) 4703 to conduct personnel demonstration projects at DoD laboratories designated as STRLs. All STRLs authorized pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4121 may use the provisions described in FRN Vol. 89, No. 52 for employees participating in the Demo Project. FRN Vol. 89, No. 52 provides new personnel management flexibilities designed to enable the STRL Directors to be more agile and competitive in attracting, hiring, and retaining world-class candidates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career fields and in career fields that directly support the STRL mission. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
Resources and References:
10 U.S. Code § 4121
5 U.S. Code § 4703
Federal Register :: Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratory (STRL) Personnel Demonstration Project Program
Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 52 (dated March 15th, 2024)
Pathways Hiring Authority
The Federal government uses Pathways Programs to hire individuals who are generally in the early stages of their careers. These programs are authorized by the president through Executive Order (E.O.) 13562. Individuals who successfully complete a Pathways Program may be eligible for noncompetitive conversion to a term or permanent job in the Federal civil service. Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
There are three Pathways Programs
- Internship: Provides high school, undergraduate, and graduate students with opportunities for paid work in agencies and to explore Federal careers. Applicants must be enrolled at least part-time in school or an educational program (including Registered Apprenticeship Programs and certain volunteer service programs). Interns must complete a minimum of 480 internship hours (320 hours if they receive a waiver) to be eligible for conversion.
- Recent Graduates: Provides recent graduates with one to two-year developmental experiences in Federal agencies. Applicants must have graduated from a qualifying educational institution or career or technical education program within the previous two years. (Veterans unable to apply due to service obligations have up to six years after degree completion to apply).
- Presidential Management Fellows (PMFs): Provides advanced degree candidates and graduates the opportunity to participate in the Federal government’s premier two-year leadership development program. Individuals must apply within two years of completing an advanced degree defined as a masters, professional (for example, law), or doctorate. PMFs are assigned a mentor, participate in professional development, and complete at least 160 hours of formal, interactive training, an Individual Development Plan, and at least one developmental, rotational assignment.
References and Resources:
Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Pathway Programs Information
Issuance of Pathways Final Rule
USAJOBS Federal Internship Portal
USAJOBS Recent Graduate Portal
USAJOBS Students & Recent Graduates Information
Presidential Management Fellows Program
Executive Order 13562
5 CFR Part 362
5 CFR Part 213, Subpart C, Schedule D, § 213.3402
5 CFR 213.3102(r): 5 CFR 213.3102(r) provides information on positions established in support of fellowship and similar programs that are filled from limited applicant pools and operate under specific criteria developed by the employing agency and/or a non-Federal organization.
Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act: Public law 114 – 328 Section 1135 and 5 U.S.C § 9602 provide information on eligibility for employees of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service to compete for a permanent appointment in the competitive service.
Non-Competitive appointment for certain Employees of the Foreign Service: Executive Order 13749 “Providing for the Appointment in the Competitive Service of Certain Employees of the Foreign Service”.
Non-Competitive appointment for certain State Department Student Scholarship Programs: Executive Order 13750 “Providing for the Appointment of Alumni of the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, and the Critical Language Scholarship Program to the Competitive Service”.
Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) Student intern: 5 CFR 213.3102(u)(6) provides information on noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service.
Schedule A Appointment Authority for Individuals with Disabilities: 5 CFR 213.3102(u)(6) provides information on noncompetitive conversion to the competitive service.
Consult with your Civilian Human Resources Servicing Center (CHRSC) representative for further information and applicability.
