DIRECT HIRING FOR FEDERAL WAGE SCHEDULE EMPLOYEES.

SEC. 1139. [5 U.S.C. 3304 note] DIRECT HIRING FOR FEDERAL WAGE SCHEDULE EMPLOYEES. The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall permit an agency with delegated examining authority under 1104(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code, to use direct-hire authority under section 3304(a)(3) of such title for a permanent or non-permanent position or group of positions in the competitive services at GS-15 (or equivalent) and below, or for prevailing rate employees, if the Director determines that there is either a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for such positions.