WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has authorized Federal Agencies to conduct emergency hiring to support the Federal recovery efforts of Hurricane Harvey in Texas and in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, which is scheduled to make landfall in Florida. 

“The devastation of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma will have an adverse impact on many agencies and their ability to operate,” said Kathleen M. McGettigan, Acting Director.  “OPM is committed to doing our part by providing agencies the hiring flexibilities necessary to effectively deal with this emergency situation.”

On August 27, 2017, OPM issued information on other human resources flexibilities Federal Agencies should consider when responding to severe weather emergencies and natural disasters, including, 30-day critical need and direct hire authorities.

In addition, OPM issued a memo last week to establish an Emergency Leave Transfer Program (ELTP) for Federal employees adversely affected by Hurricane Harvey. An ELTP permits employees in the executive and judicial branches, or agency leave banks established under 5 U.S.C. § 6363, to donate unused annual leave for transfer to employees of the same or other agencies who are adversely affected by the emergency, and who need additional time off from work without having to use their own paid leave. OPM continues to monitor hurricane activity in Florida, Puerto Rico, and other affected areas, to see if an emergency leave transfer program will be needed there as well.