FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25, 1997

CONTACT: Michael Orenstein (202) 606-1800 mworenst@opm.gov

OPM CONSOLIDATES HIRING AUTHORITIES; SIMPLIFIES LIFE FOR HR PROFESSIONALS AND MANAGERS

Washington, D.C. -- Federal human resource professionals and managers looking to bring new employees into fellowship and intern programs will have their jobs made easier due to the Office of Personnel Managements consolidation of certain hiring authorities.

Culling from 35 separate, agency hiring authorities, OPM has created two governmentwide, excepted-service (Schedule A) authorities that all agencies can use to make developmental assignments in unique employment situations. Unique employment assignments could include, for example, science, engineering and diplomacy fellowship programs, or accounting fellows programs.

Previously, the 35 separate hiring authorities could be accessed only by the agencies for which they had been authorized. Creation of two governmentwide authorities gives more agencies access to a special hiring tool, thereby significantly reducing the need for agencies to request additional authorities. A direct benefit of the consolidation is that people will begin their federal assignments more quickly.

Under President Bill Clintons direction, OPM has reduced bureaucratic bloat in many ways as we create the federal government of the future, said OPM Director Janice Lachance. This consolidation of authorities from 35 to two is another common-sense step in the reinvention of government.

Over the years, OPM has granted excepted-service hiring authorities when it concluded that a non-traditional employment situation made the traditional examining process impractical. Creating two governmentwide authorities will significantly reduce the administrative burden on agency hiring officials who can now use the new governmentwide hiring authorities instead of having to request a separate authority from OPM.

The first consolidation affects single-agency, Schedule A hiring authorities used to place individuals in fellowship-type programs, such as internships and residencies, that provide work experience. Positions included here are of a non-permanent nature and may be used by any Executive Branch agency.

The second consolidation involves student-stipend programs, where students receive various medical training--and a stipend--at government medical facilities. Agencies most affected by this action include the Departments of the Army, Navy, and Health and Human Services.

Hires under these excepted-service authorities are limited to one, four-year appointment, though experience shows most last one to two years.

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