Agencies should continue creating and filling positions that are exempt from the general hiring freeze, new guidance from OPM says, and “for vacancies or positions that are subject to the hiring freeze, agencies may, at their discretion, continue activities such as engaging in recruitment activities, posting job opportunity announcements, assessing applications, conducting interviews, etc.”
“Agencies may not make any job offers, or fill vacancies for positions that are not exempt under the hiring freeze. Agencies should consider the timing of posting new job openings for positions that are subject to the freeze, in order to help manage applicant expectations,” it says.
“The hiring freeze is a temporary period, and agencies may continue recruiting and hiring efforts for both exempt and non-exempt positions at their discretion (with the caveat that agencies may not make any new job offers, or fill vacancies for positions that are not exempt under the hiring freeze). In cases where stages of the hiring process may be delayed, it is important for agencies to help manage applicant expectations by providing regular updates and communications,” it says.
