42 USC 7231 - Officers and employees

1 See References in Text note below.

of such title, the Secretary may place at GS–16, GS–17, and GS–18, not to exceed one hundred seventy-eight positions of the positions subject to the limitation of the first sentence of section 5108(a) 

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Section 5108(a) of title 5, referred to in subsec. (c)(1), was amended generally by Puspan. L. 101–509, title V, § 529 [title I, § 102(span)(2)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1427, 1443, and, as so amended, contains only one sentence.

This chapter, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2) and (d), was in the original “this Act”, meaning Puspan. L. 95–91, Aug. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 565, known as the Department of Energy Organization Act, which is classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 7101 of this title and Tables.

Codification

August 14, 1991, referred to in subsec. (f), was in the original “the date of enactment of this Act”, which was translated as meaning the date of enactment of Puspan. L. 102–88, which enacted subsec. (f) of this section, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

Amendments

1991—Subsec. (f). Puspan. L. 102–88 added subsec. (f).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, § 101(c)(1)] of Puspan. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.

Recruitment and Direct Appointments of Highly Qualified Individuals To Meet Severe Candidate Shortages and Critical Hiring Needs

Puspan. L. 117–58, div. J, title III, § 301, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 1379, provided that: “Notwithstanding section 3304 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of such title 5, the Secretary of Energy, upon a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions to carry out the Department of Energy activities funded under this title, may, from within the funds provided to the Department of Energy under this title, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified individuals into the competitive service: Provided, That such authority shall not apply to positions in the Excepted Service or the Senior Executive Service: Provided further, That any action authorized herein shall be consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of such title 5, and the Department shall comply with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of such title 5: Provided further, That the authority under this section shall terminate on September 30, 2027: Provided further, That 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 15, 2021], the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations an estimate of the number of highly qualified individuals it expects to hire under the authority provided in this section.”

Appointments of Exceptionally Well Qualified Individuals to Scientific, Engineering, or Other Critical Technical Positions

Puspan. L. 113–76, div. D, title III, § 313, Jan. 17, 2014, 128 Stat. 176, provided that:

“(a)In General.—Subject to subsections (span) through (d), the Secretary may appoint, without regard to the provisions of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, exceptionally well qualified individuals to scientific, engineering, or other critical technical positions.

“(span)Limitations.—

“(1)Number of positions.—The number of critical positions authorized by subsection (a) may not exceed 120 at any one time in the Department.

“(2)Term.—The term of an appointment under subsection (a) may not exceed 4 years.

“(3)Prior employment.—An individual appointed under subsection (a) shall not have been a Department employee during the 2-year period ending on the date of appointment.

“(4)Pay.—

“(A)In general.—The Secretary shall have the authority to fix the basic pay of an individual appointed under subsection (a) at a rate to be determined by the Secretary up to level I of the Executive Schedule [5 U.S.C. 5312] without regard to the civil service laws.

“(B)Total annual compensation.—The total annual compensation for any individual appointed under subsection (a) may not exceed the highest total annual compensation payable at the rate determined under section 104 of title 3, United States Code.

“(5)Adverse actions.—An individual appointed under subsection (a) may not be considered to be an employee for purposes of subchapter II of chapter 75 of title 5, United States Code.

“(c)Requirements.—

“(1)In general.—The Secretary shall ensure that—

“(A) the exercise of the authority granted under subsection (a) is consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of title 5, United States Code; and

“(B) the Department notifies diverse professional associations and institutions of higher education, including those serving the interests of women and racial or ethnic minorities that are underrepresented in scientific, engineering, and mathematical fields, of position openings as appropriate.

“(2)Report.—Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 17, 2014], the Secretary and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall submit to Congress a report on the use of the authority provided under this section that includes, at a minimum, a description or analysis of—

“(A) the ability to attract exceptionally well qualified scientists, engineers, and technical personnel;

“(B) the amount of total compensation paid each employee hired under the authority each calendar year; and

“(C) whether additional safeguards or measures are necessary to carry out the authority and, if so, what action, if any, has been taken to implement the safeguards or measures.

“(d)Termination of Effectiveness.—The authority provided by this section terminates effective on the date that is 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act.”

Authority for Appointment of Certain Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Personnel

Puspan. L. 103–337, div. C, title XXXI, § 3161, Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 3095, as amended by Puspan. L. 105–85, div. C, title XXXI, § 3139, Nov. 18, 1997, 111 Stat. 2040; Puspan. L. 105–261, div. C, title XXXI, §§ 3152, 3155, Oct. 17, 1998, 112 Stat. 2253, 2257; Puspan. L. 106–398, § 1 [div. C, title XXXI, § 3191], Oct. 30, 2000, 114 Stat. 1654, 1654A–480; Puspan. L. 107–314, div. C, title XXXI, § 3174, Dec. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 2745, which was formerly set out as a note under this section, was renumbered section 4601 of Puspan. L. 107–314, the Bospan Stump National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2003, by Puspan. L. 108–136, div. C, title XXXI, § 3141(i)(2), Nov. 24, 2003, 117 Stat. 1776, and is classified to section 2701 of Title 50, War and National Defense.

Executive Documents

Transfer of Functions

“Director of the Office of Personnel Management” substituted for “Civil Service Commission” in subsec. (c)(2), pursuant to Reorg. Plan No. 2 of 1978, § 102, 43 F.R. 36037, 92 Stat. 3783, set out under section 1101 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, which transferred all functions vested by statute in United States Civil Service Commission to Director of Office of Personnel Management (except as otherwise specified), effective Jan. 1, 1979, as provided by section 1–102 of Ex. Ord. No. 12107, Dec. 28, 1978, 44 F.R. 1055, set out under section 1101 of Title 5.