Noncompetitive eligibility for high-performing civilian employees

(a) Definition In this section, the term competitive service has the meaning given the term in section 2102 of title 5, United States Code. (b) Regulations Under such regulations as the Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall issue, an Executive agency may noncompetitively appoint, for other than temporary employment, to a position in the competitive service any individual who— (1) is certified by the Director as having been a high-performing employee in a former position in the competitive service; (2) has been separated from the former position described in paragraph (1) for less than 6 years; and (3) is qualified for the new position in the competitive service, as determined by the head of the Executive agency making the noncompetitive appointment. (c) Limitation on authority An individual may not be appointed to a position under subsection (b) more than once. (d) Designation of high-Performing employees The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall, in the regulations issued under subsection (b), set forth the criteria for certifying an individual as a high-performing employee in a former position, which shall be based on— (1) the final performance appraisal of the individual in that former position; and (2) a recommendation by the immediate or other supervisor of the individual in that former position.