OPM Sets 80-Day Target for Federal Hiring, Emphasizes Accountability
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued updated guidance directing agencies to manage federal hiring actions within an overall 80-calendar-day timeframe. The guidance stresses coordination among HR, agency leadership, hiring managers, and personnel vetting offices to meet the timelines.
The guidance was issued in conjunction with the Merit Hiring Plan and President Trump’s executive order on reforming the federal hiring process.
OPM envisions 66 days from a validated hiring need to a tentative job offer, two days for acceptance of the offer, and 14 days from acceptance to Entry on Duty.
OPM is also emphasizing accountability, directing agencies to track performance against the 80-day milestones, analyze hiring trends, and identify ways to reduce delays. Agencies are expected to designate an office or official to oversee time-to-hire performance and drive “continuous improvement.”
Coordinated Action
OPM says accomplishing these goals will require coordinated action across hiring managers, HR offices, agency leadership, and personnel vetting offices.
Agency leadership was told to establish accountability for hiring outcomes, leverage the Strategic Hiring Committee for oversight, and remove barriers to hiring.
Human Resources Offices were told to conduct operational planning, engage early with hiring managers, leverage data to reduce duplication, and ensure hiring remains consistent with merit systems principles and applicable law.
Hiring Managers and Program Officers were told to participate in workforce planning early, define requirements and needs in advance, and engage promptly in applicant reviews.
Personnel Vetting Offices were told to engage early to identify potential risks, review reciprocity opportunities, and review interim credentialing.
OPM also stressed the use of multiple hiring models, including pooled/shared certificates when available and to integrate vetting into the hiring timeline.
