What a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) means for TTS Hiring
This DHA will allow us to have more flexibility in hiring for technical positions and allows hiring for both: (up to) 8 year term limited and permanent career positions. For non-technical positions we will continue to use other hiring authorities, such as Delegated Examining.
DHA positions do not have a Time in Grade requirement (requirements related to a specified amount of time an employee must spend in a grade level before they are eligible for a higher grade level). Anyone can qualify for the announced position if they are able to demonstrate one year of specialized experience, regardless of their current grade level.
We are using the DHA authority to do ‘bucket hiring,’ which will allow us to publicly advertise one generalized opportunity that multiple teams within TTS can use to fill specific needs.
We will use bucket hiring for supervisors and the following 4 position categories:
- Engineering,
- Product management (PM),
- Design/customer experience (CX), and
- Account management.
We are hiring at the GS15 level for first-line supervisors (someone who supervises individual contributors), and the GS 14 and GS 15 levels for engineering and product management, to allow for career progression planning and career path growth. Final decision on GS level will be based on resume review.
There will be one interview process where candidates will have the opportunity to be considered for many roles and will be matched with the right TTS program based on their skills, experience, and interests.
How the DHA works
Is this similar to a Merit Promotion?
This new hiring authority is not the same as a Merit Promotion. Merit Promotions allow a current or former federal employee to apply for a job without having to compete with the general public or people with Veterans’ Preference. Instead, you only compete with other competitive service employees. Competitive service employees are in positions which are openly competed for under the merit system, also called career employees. These positions can be permanent or term. If they are term, they are limited to a certain number of years.
DHA opportunities are open to the general public and all federal employees. They offer a chance to be considered for a career (term or perm) opportunity as long as you have the experience and are otherwise qualified.
Can I apply if I’m currently hired under a DHA?
Yes. You can apply for an upcoming DHA position even if you’re currently on a DHA.
Please note: If you received a permanent competitive appointment, you cannot move into another position for 90 days (from the start of your current appointment)— that includes transfers, reassignments, promotions, and details. This does not apply to term limited appointments.
Anytime an employee is appointed to a new position, there will always be a one year probationary period for that new appointment.
If I am currently a career permanent employee would moving to a DHA position affect my status?
Some DHA roles will be advertised as permanent, while others will be term limited, meaning after a set number of years, the role will expire. To stay in federal service, an employee in a term limited role would need to apply for and be selected for a different position.
So if you apply for a term limited DHA role and are selected, you would move to term limited status. However, that doesn’t prevent you from applying, in the future, to a role that is permanent.
Will the Join TTS site indicate which teams candidates could be matched to?
Yes. That information is currently listed for the upcoming positions under ‘TTS teams hiring for the role.’
Do I need a resume to apply?
HR must qualify all candidate resumes, even current TTS employees’ resumes, so if you apply, you will need an updated federal-style resume. To be considered qualified by HR, your resume will need to reflect the specialized experience that is listed for the role. See Join TTS’ Resume Prep page for tips.
