The authority allows agencies to recruit and noncompetitively appoint eligible spouses into temporary, term or permanent positions. Image: kasha_malasha/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOPM has finalized rules regulations extending through 2028 a special authority for hiring into federal a position the spouse of a member of the armed forces on active duty, the spouse of a 100 percent disabled member of the armed forces, or the spouse of a deceased member of the armed forces.
A notice in the May 31 Federal Register finalizes interim rules issued last September to carry out a provision of a defense budget measure extending certain aspects of the program that otherwise would have expired.
The authority allows agencies to recruit and noncompetitively appoint eligible spouses into temporary, term or permanent positions that otherwise would require competition, although it does not establish selection priority. Those hired are converted to competitive service status after completing a probationary period.
The rules also note that a requirement under a prior law for agencies to report annually to OPM on use of the authority has been revoked, but that a 2018 executive order imposes a similar requirement and it continues to apply.
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