OPM: Pooled hiring reduces applicant burden by allowing job seekers to apply once and be considered by multiple agencies. Image: ADragan/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOPM has added a “Talent Pool” feature to USAJobs listing candidates who have applied to an open announcement, have been assessed, and are available for agencies’ consideration.
The change is part of a years-long push to encourage shared certificates, in which an agency need not start from square one to assess an applicant who already has been found qualified by another agency, although not selected, for a position in the same occupational series, grade level or equivalent, full performance level, and duty location.
“Pooled hiring reduces applicant burden by allowing job seekers to apply once and be considered by multiple agencies for selection. It also speeds time to hire for agencies who can fill vacancies from the shared certificate of candidates who have already completed rigorous assessments and been found qualified. Through pooled hiring, more candidates are hired from each certificate, reducing the need for agencies to post multiple hiring actions throughout the year for the same positions,” says a memo on chcoc.gov.
“For this to be successful, agencies need to populate the Talent Pools with available delegated examining certificates of eligibles. Please consider opportunities for sharing your certificates to help other agencies fill their critical vacancies,” it adds.
The memo includes specifics including requirements to notify applicants, verifying that the criteria used by the first agency are appropriate for the position to be filled at the second, requirements to notify current employees of the opportunity, and more.
Senate Eyes Vote to Pay Federal Employees Working Unpaid
Series of Bills Offered to Address Shutdown’s Impact on Employees
Public Starting to Feel Impact of Shutdown, Survey Shows
OPM Details Coverage Changes, Plan Dropouts for FEHB/PSHB in 2026
Does My FEHB/PSHB Plan Stack Up? Here’s How to Tell
2025 TSP Rollercoaster and the G Fund Merry-go-Round
See also,
TSP Takes Step toward Upcoming In-Plan Roth Conversions
5 Steps to Protect Your Federal Job During the Shutdown
Over 30K TSP Accounts Have Crossed the Million Mark in 2025
