Special Hiring Authorities & Federal Hiring Paths

What is Direct Hire Authority?

DOT may use Direct Hire Authority (DHA) to fill certain positions when an applicable hiring authority has been established for a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates.

Direct Hire Authority allows agencies to streamline certain parts of the competitive hiring process. Applicants must still meet the qualification and eligibility requirements for the position.

What should applicants know?

Direct Hire Authority may apply only to specific:

• Positions or occupational series
• Grade levels
• Geographic locations
• Operating Administrations or offices
• Workforce or mission needs

When Direct Hire Authority is being used, the USAJOBS announcement will identify the applicable hiring path and application requirements.

Applicants should review each announcement carefully rather than assuming that Direct Hire Authority applies to all positions within a particular career field.

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DOT is committed to a workforce that provides equal opportunity and includes individuals with disabilities.

In 1999, DOT established the Disability Resource Center (DRC) as a centralized resource to provide reasonable accommodations, information, and services that support equal access and inclusion for DOT applicants and employees with disabilities.

What is Schedule A?

Individuals with certain disabilities may be eligible for non-competitive consideration under Schedule A, a special hiring authority that allows federal agencies to appoint eligible individuals with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities without using the traditional competitive hiring process.

Applicants must still meet the qualification requirements for the position.

What documentation may be required?

Individuals seeking consideration under Schedule A are generally required to provide documentation of disability from an appropriate source, such as:

• A licensed medical professional
• A licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist
• A federal, state, District of Columbia, or U.S. territory agency that issues or provides disability benefits
• Sample Schedule A letters (OPM)

Applicants should review the job announcement and applicable federal guidance to determine the documentation needed.

Learn More:

• Visit the DOT Disability Resource Center →
• Learn more about disability employment through OPM →

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Eligible military spouses may be considered for federal employment under the Military Spouse Noncompetitive Appointing Authority.

This authority allows federal agencies to appoint certain eligible military spouses without using traditional competitive examining procedures.

Who may be eligible?

Eligibility may apply to certain:

• Spouses of active-duty Service Members
• Spouses of Service Members who have a 100-percent service-connected disability
• Unremarried widows or widowers of Service Members who died while on active duty

Eligibility requirements depend on individual circumstances, and applicants may be required to submit documentation establishing eligibility.

Use of this authority is discretionary and does not guarantee selection or appointment. Applicants must meet the qualification requirements for the position.

Learn More

• Visit OPM to learn more about military spouse hiring →
• Military-connected? Visit the Veterans and Military-Connected Careers at DOT webpage for additional resources and hiring information.

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Individuals who successfully complete qualifying Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA service may receive noncompetitive eligibility for certain federal employment opportunities.

Noncompetitive eligibility can allow qualified individuals to be considered for certain positions without competing through the traditional competitive examining process.

Eligibility is generally available for a limited period after completing qualifying service and may be extended under certain circumstances.

Applicants must still:

• Meet the qualification requirements for the position
• Provide documentation establishing eligibility
• Follow the application instructions identified by the hiring agency

Noncompetitive eligibility does not guarantee an interview, selection, or appointment.

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Certain family members of federal employees or uniformed service members who are or were assigned overseas may be eligible for additional federal hiring opportunities.

Eligibility can depend on factors such as:

• The sponsoring employee or Service Member's overseas assignment
• The applicant's relationship to the sponsor
• Residency or employment while overseas
• Applicable federal eligibility requirements

Applicants should review each job announcement carefully and provide any documentation required to establish eligibility.

This hiring path does not guarantee selection, and applicants must meet the qualification requirements for the position.

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Federal law and regulation provide additional hiring authorities and eligibility paths that may apply based on an individual's background, previous service, employment history, or other qualifying circumstances.

Because requirements vary, applicants should:

• Review the "This job is open to" section of each USAJOBS announcement
• Review the eligibility requirements for each hiring path
• Read the "Required Documents" section carefully
• Submit documentation establishing eligibility when required
• Apply under all hiring paths for which they are eligible

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Most DOT job opportunities are posted on USAJOBS, the federal government’s official employment site.

Each announcement explains:

• Who may apply
• Qualification requirements
• Required documentation
• How applicants will be evaluated
• Which hiring paths are available
• Whether special hiring authorities may apply

Before applying, applicants should:

1. Create or update your USAJOBS profile.
2. Prepare your federal resume.
3. Review the "This job is open to" section to determine which hiring paths may apply to you.
4. Review the qualifications and eligibility requirements.
5. Read the "Required Documents" section carefully.
6. Upload all required documentation.
7. Review your application before submitting it.
8. Submit your application before the announcement closes.

Applicants may be eligible for more than one hiring path or appointing authority. Review each announcement carefully and apply under all hiring paths for which you are eligible.

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Understanding your hiring path is only part of the federal application process.

Learn how to navigate USAJOBS, understand federal job announcements, prepare your application, and take the next step toward federal employment with this video series.

Navigating USAJOBS: The Gateway to Federal Employment

Watch this video for help getting started, or explore the full video series for additional guidance on navigating USAJOBS and the federal application process.

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