Washington, D.C. - U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Kay Coles James recently issued a memorandum (attached) to heads of agencies and departments and chief human capital officers notifying them of the hiring flexibility available for Information Technology (IT) positions.

OPM has published regulations implementing significant governmentwide flexibilities including authorizing a direct-hire authority for IT Management (Information Security) GS-2210 positions at the GS-9 level and above, in support of efforts to carry out the requirements of the Government Information Security Reform Act and the Federal Information Security Management Act.

"Giving federal managers more flexibility in hiring, particularly for positions that support our information security efforts, is right in line with President Bush's Management Agenda which calls for a government that is customer-focused and results-oriented," James stated. "We have the need to quickly fill critical information technology security positions and now we have the means."

In the memorandum, James wrote, "This direct-hire authority enables you to make use of a talent pool established through 'Scholarship for Service' (SFS), a program created for the express purpose of helping you meet your needs for information assurance professionals." Students who participate in this program receive scholarships and stipends in exchange for federal government service upon graduation and are committed to public service employment.

Federal agencies may appoint qualified SFS students using the direct-hire authority to information security positions in the 2210 series at the GS-9 level and above, at all locations. At grade levels GS-5 and GS-7, agencies may appoint these students using
5 CFR 213.3102 (r).

To access this rich talent pool and to learn more about the SFS program, please visit www.sfs.opm.gov.

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.