Direct hire authority offers civilian recruitment flexibilities Published April 4, 2008 RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFRNS) -- Direct hire authority provides Air Force managers the capability to hire employees when the Office of Personnel Management determines a severe candidate shortage or critical hiring need exists. Working with civilian personnel flight specialists, the program allows managers to recruit and hire applicants from the general public, whether or not potential employees have current or previous civil service experience or have served in the military. "Normally, hiring is not limited to specific occupational series, and recruitment is dependent upon vacancies managers need to fill," said Ms. Cynthia Counts, chief of Civilian Field Employment Division 4. "Through direct hire, managers can be proactive in using the program to post information regarding direct hire opportunities, and since direct-hire positions are deemed hard-to-fill, managers should consider the use of recruitment bonuses and/or relocation expenses as an incentive to fill these jobs." Direct-hire authority exists for nurses, medical officers, diagnostic radiologist technicians, pharmacists, police officers, specific information technology management (information security), and some engineers. Managers may post information about direct hire opportunities and solicit applications through their local state employment offices and local newspapers. This proactive approach will expedite the recruitment process. For those Air Force installations serviced by the Air Force Personnel Center, open continuous announcements are posted to the OPM employment Web page (USA Jobs). Managers may also check the AFPC Directorate of Civilian Force Integration's employment Web page at http://ask.afpc.randolph.af.mil/main_content.asp?p_faqid=5383&prods3=181&prods2=14&prods1=1. These announcements provide managers with position requirements for education, licensing and experience to best select the right applicant.