§3115 Expedited Hiring Authority for College Graduates; Competitive Service

Summary

Agencies can fast-track hiring of recent college graduates into professional or administrative jobs at the GS‑11 level (or an equivalent level) or lower without using some normal competitive hiring steps. To use this hiring shortcut, the applicant must have a bachelor’s or higher degree from a college or university, apply within 2 years of getting that degree (or within 2 years after discharge if they served at least 4 years of obligated uniformed service), and meet the minimum job qualifications set by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management. Agencies must publicly advertise these jobs, follow merit principles, seek diverse and qualified applicants, and give applicants the information they need. The Director must issue interim rules within 180 days with a chance for comment. An agency may not hire more than 15% of the number it hired by competitive exam the prior year in the same job category and grade, though the Director can set a lower cap. For the first 3 fiscal years, agencies using this hiring must report by September 30 to Congress and the Director with totals, diversity and veteran counts, recruitment sources, total hires to that grade, and any other data the Director asks for. The Department of Defense may keep using its separate recent‑graduate authority and is not covered by the Director’s rules while that authority lasts.