OPM found that there is a shortage of job candidates for federal STEM and cybersecurity positions. Yuichiro Chino / Getty Images
Expedited STEM and cybersecurity hiring authority extended
OPM grants direct hire authority to agencies when there’s a lack of candidates or major hiring needs.
The Office of Personnel Management on Monday extended and modified an authority that makes it easier for federal agencies to hire STEM, acquisitions and cybersecurity personnel.
Direct hire authority is granted when there is a shortage of job candidates or significant hiring needs and speeds up the appointment process by eliminating procedures that rate and rank applicants.
OPM renewed the authority for these positions through Dec. 31, 2028. The agency first issued this direct hire flexibility in 2018 and extended it in 2023.
The authority also was amended to include criminal investigators, specifically ones with cybersecurity and IT expertise.
This direct hire flexibility covers positions in general schedule classification and pay grade levels 11 through 15, which includes senior personnel.
OPM in 2023 began permitting agencies to appoint individuals for up to 10 years in certain STEM-related positions in order to staff long-term projects that aren’t likely to become permanent.
And the Biden administration earlier this year started to modify job requirements for most of the federal government’s IT and cyber workforce to focus on skills capabilities instead of educational attainment.
Agencies also have used direct hire authority to bring on many employees focused on artificial intelligence.