Guidance on Special Hiring Authority Issued

Meanwhile, DoD has issued guidance on its newly created authority to hire “highly qualified experts” in critical occupations for up to five years, with up to a one-year extension. Under the authority, DoD may employ up to 2,500 such individuals at any one given time, paying them at any rate between the GS-15, step 10 rate and Level III of the executive schedule (currently $145,000). A “highly qualified expert” is defined as someone possessing uncommon, special knowledges or skills in particular occupational field beyond the usual range of expertise, who is regarded by others as an authority or practitioner of unusual competence and skill.