ACTION's Hiring and Use of Certain Noncareer Employees and Other Personnel Matters

摘要

GAO reviewed several personnel matters at ACTION involving the hiring and use of Schedule B and C employees and the reassignment of career civil service employees. ACTION complied with regulations pertaining to the hiring of Schedule C employees and the reassignment of the career civil service employees. ACTION uses its Schedule B authority primarily to directly hire persons who possess empathy with certain client groups. Empathy is a trait which ACTION believes cannot be identified through the competitive process and the OPM Director appears to agree with ACTION. However, OPM's competitive bilingual and cultural certification process was designed to identify such individuals. ACTION is not required to consult with OPM or use OPM to determine the practicability of filling Schedule B positions through competition. However, GAO believes the positions filled under the Schedule B authority were appropriate for consideration under the bilingual and cultural certification process.