U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

Direct-Hire Authority

• What it provides: An agency may make offers of immediate employment to qualified candidates as long as the agency has met public notice requirements and has been granted direct-hire authority by OPM. There are two types of direct-hire authority:
• Governmentwide authority. OPM decides, on its own or in response to agency requests, that a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need exists on a Governmentwide basis. Select this link for a current list of Governmentwide authorities.
• Agency-specific authority. OPM decides, based on an agency request, position(s) for which a severe shortage or a critical hiring need exists. The agency must include evidence to support its request (see 5 CFR part 337, subpart B).
• When to use it: Direct-hire authority may be used when a particular position or group of positions meets the requirements of a Governmentwide or agency-specific authority.
• Who is eligible: Direct-hire authority may be used to cover occupational series, grades (or equivalent), geographical locations, or a combination of these. It permits hiring without regard to Sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, including the following competitive requirements:
• Veterans' preference
• Rule of Three
• Rating procedures
• Benefits to the hiring manager:
• Ability to recruit at job fairs and similar events and make on-the-spot offers to qualified candidates.
• Ability to appoint candidates directly to jobs without following traditional competitive procedures.

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