The Office of Personnel Management has released guidance on hiring flexibilities and leave-policy in the event of a flu pandemic.
The White House recently ordered agencies to develop comprehensive preparedness plans, and the guidance is part of OPM’s role in providing human capital management and COOP planning criteria as well as updating telework guides regarding an outbreak.
Hiring flexibilities currently available without OPM approval include direct hire authority for medical officers, nurses, and pharmacists at all grades and levels — ranking and veterans’ preference do not apply.
According to OPM, additional authorities include the following:
30-day critical need appointment, extendable for an additional 30 days;
a one-year, 1040-hour annual appointment in remote or isolated locations, extendable for an additional year;
agencies may reappoint people previously employed under a career or career-conditional appointment by reinstatement to a competitive service position;
agencies may appoint faculty members from academia holding full faculty status from accredited colleges and universities, to scientific, professional, or analytical positions, limited to 130 working days per year;
agencies may contract with private sector temporary firms for 120 days — extendable for an additional 120 days — for services to meet emergency needs;
upon request, OPM may authorize agencies to waive the salary offset usually required to reemploy federal civilian annuitants;
agencies may request direct hire authority for positions they need to fill based on a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates; and,
agencies may request a repayment waiver from OPM in unusual circumstances for former employees that have taken buyouts.
