Washington, D.C. - Federal agencies are not taking full advantage of available hiring flexibilities, according to the findings of a recent federal hiring survey issued by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). As a result, OPM recently hosted a briefing on the results of the survey as the first in a series of briefings to inform interest groups about progress being made in the on-going effort to streamline the federal government's hiring process.

Attending the briefing were representatives from the Partnership for Public Service, National Academy of Public Administration, National Hispanic Association of Federal Executives and the Society for Human Resource Management.

During the briefing, Senior Policy Advisor to the Director, Dr. Doris L. Hausser emphasized the steps OPM Director Kay Coles James has taken to "speed up" the time it takes to hire a job candidate. She also highlighted the critical role that the managers who are selecting among applicants, as well as human resources professionals, play within federal agencies.

"Director James has been clear. OPM provides the tools and agencies must pick them up and actually use the flexibilities that are available. It is the agencies that are responsible for instituting the fix," Hausser stated. "The results of the survey reveal that existing hiring flexibilities are underutilized by agencies. However, OPM is giving federal managers and hiring officials important, innovative flexibilities and tools to expedite and improve the hiring of qualified applicants. There are real opportunities available to address what has been a cumbersome hiring process."

The briefing included discussion on existing hiring flexibilities, expediting the hiring process, and using the available appointing authorities, including those for veterans and students. At the conclusion of the meeting, pertinent materials on the results of the survey and other aspects of the federal hiring process were distributed.

Our mission is to ensure the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.