Staffing for positions of public safety at the National Weather Service

(a) Assessment (1) In general Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Weather Service shall submit to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate an assessment of the critical staffing needs of the National Weather Service, including the needs of every Weather Forecast Office and every Center Weather Service Unit. (2) Elements The assessment under paragraph (1) shall include the following elements: (A) The number and corresponding occupational series of employees needed to fully staff each Weather Forecast Office and Center Weather Service Unit of the National Weather Service that maximize efficiency while considering the following: (i) Safety. (ii) Morale. (iii) Changing seasonal needs. (iv) Forecasting complexity of the geographical area at issue. (B) Historical staffing needs versus historical vacancies for each such Weather Forecast Office and Center Weather Service Unit. (b) Direct hire authority (1) In general The Director of the National Weather Service may appoint, without regard to sections 3308 through 3319, 3327, and 3330 of title 5, United States Code, qualified candidates to any of the following positions to satisfy critical staffing needs and fill vacancies determined in accordance with the assessment under subsection (a): (A) Employees performing public safety mission functions, including the following: (i) Meteorologists (classification series 1340). (ii) Hydrologists (classification series 1315). (iii) General physical scientists (classification series 1301). (iv) Computer specialists (classification series 2210). (v) Electronic technicians (classification series 0856). (B) Other positions for which primary responsibilities include equipment operations, maintenance, analysis, information technology, or engineering. (2) Sunset The authority under paragraph (1) shall expire on the date on which all positions to satisfy critical staffing needs and vacancies under such paragraph have been filled.