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OPM.gov / Policy / Hiring Information / Hiring Authorities

Hiring Authorities

Agencies may use a variety of appointing authorities to hire job applicants. This section describes the types of appointments available, including special appointments for targeting veterans

30% Disabled Veterans Appointing Authority - A noncompetitive temporary appointment of more than 60 days or a term appointment to any veteran with a disability rating of 30 percent or more, or with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more.

Direct- Hire Authority - 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.

Excepted Service Appointments (external link)- Appointments for positions that are specifically excepted from the competitive service by law, the President, or the U.S. Office of Personnel Management

Hiring Flexibilities (DEOH 2007, as amended)(PDF file) - Information about a number of new hiring authorities enacted by Congress in 2002.

Pathways Programs for Students and Recent Graduates A hiring authority offering clear paths to federal internships for students from high school through post-graduate school and to careers for recent graduates. The programs provide meaningful training and career development opportunities for individuals who are at the beginning of their federal service.

People with Disabilities Appointing Authority - Information for recruiting and hiring employees with disabilities and providing reasonable accommodation in appropriate circumstances.

Primary Appointing Authorities for Career and Career-Conditional Appointments - A list of the primary methods agencies use to make career and career-conditional appointments. Citations of law and regulation are provided. Also included are miscellaneous non-Title 5 authorities.

Veterans Employment Opportunity Authority - Veterans Guide (VetGuide) information about the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 that allows eligible veterans to apply for positions announced under merit promotion procedures when the agency is recruiting outside of its own workforce.

Veterans Recruitment Appointment Authority - VetGuide information about a special authority allowing agencies to appoint eligible veterans without competition to positions at any grade level through General Schedule (GS) 11 or equivalent.

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