The Office of Personnel Management has granted direct hire
authority to seven federal agencies, including the Department
of Homeland Security which intends to use it to fill 490
intelligence positions in the department’s information
analysis and infrastructure protection directorate, and its
office of security.
OPM may grant agencies the authority on the basis of a severe
shortage of candidates or to address critical mission needs.
DHS will use the authority to hire intelligence research,
security, telecommunications and other specialist positions
deemed critical.
Also receiving direct hire authority are the Department of
Health and Human Service’s Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services
