Agencies must follow veterans’ preference rules and if seeking to select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible. Image: Zane Vergara/Shutterstock.com
Saying that agencies “may have an immediate need to hire additional staff” for response to the recent fires in Hawaii, OPM has authorized the use of excepted service “Schedule A” hiring.
“Appointments may be made on a temporary basis for up to one year, of individuals who will be directly involved with the recovery and relief efforts associated with the fires in Maui and Hawaii counties. Agencies may extend these appointments for one additional year, for a maximum duration of two years,” says a memo on chcoc.gov.
Agencies must follow veterans’ preference rules and if seeking to select a non-preference eligible over a preference eligible, agencies must follow pass-over procedures, it says.
“In addition, agencies must have procedures in place for accepting applications. Although public notice is not required when filling positions in the excepted service, OPM strongly encourages agencies to conduct appropriate recruitment activities to attract candidates who may meet agencies’ needs,” it says.
Those hired under the authority are not eligible to participate in Thrift Savings Plan, life insurance, or retirement, it says, while those hired for more than 90 days may be entitled to benefits to include health insurance, dental/vision, flexible spending accounts and annual and sick leave.
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