Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015

To amend title 5, United States Code, to provide a pathway for temporary seasonal employees in Federal land management agencies to compete for vacant permanent positions under internal merit promotion procedures, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015 2. Personnel flexibilities relating to land management agencies (a) In general Subpart I of part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after chapter 95 the following: 96 Personnel Flexibilities Relating to Land Management Agencies Sec. 9601. Definitions. 9602. Competitive service; time-limited appointments. 9601. Definitions For purposes of this chapter— (1) the term land management agency (A) the Forest Service; (B) the Bureau of Land Management; (C) the National Park Service; (D) the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; (E) the Bureau of Indian Affairs; and (F) the Bureau of Reclamation; and (2) the term time-limited appointment 9602. Competitive service; time-limited appointments (a) In general Notwithstanding chapter 33 or any other provision of law relating to the examination, certification, and appointment of individuals in the competitive service, an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service shall be eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the competitive service at any land management agency or any other agency (as defined in section 101 of title 31) under the internal merit promotion procedures of the applicable agency if— (1) the employee was initially appointed to the time-limited appointment under open, competitive examination under subchapter I of chapter 33; (2) the employee has served under 1 or more time-limited appointments by a land management agency for a period or periods totaling more than 24 months without a break of 2 or more years; and (3) the employee’s performance has been at an acceptable level throughout the period or periods (as the case may be) referred to in paragraph (2). (b) Eligibility In determining the eligibility of a time-limited employee under this section to be examined for or appointed to a position in the competitive service, the Office of Personnel Management or other examining agency shall waive any requirement as to age, unless the requirement is essential to the performance of the duties of the position. (c) Effects of appointment An individual, upon appointment under this section, shall— (1) become a career-conditional employee, unless the employee has otherwise completed the service requirements for career tenure; and (2) acquire competitive status. (d) Former employees A former employee of a land management agency who served under a time-limited appointment and otherwise meets the requirements under this section shall be deemed to be an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment for purposes of this section if— (1) the former employee applies for a position covered under this section not later than 2 years after the date of the former employee's most recent separation from a land management agency at which the former employee served under a time-limited appointment; and (2) the separation referred to in paragraph (1) was for reasons other than misconduct or performance. (e) Regulations The Office of Personnel Management shall prescribe any regulations that are necessary to carry out this section. . (b) Technical and conforming amendment The table of chapters for part III of title 5, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to chapter 95 the following: 96. Personnel flexibilities relating to land management agencies 9601 .

Summary: Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act of 2015 Makes an employee of a land management agency serving under a time-limited appointment in the competitive service eligible to compete for a permanent appointment in the agency or any other agency if: (1) the original appointment was competitive, (2) the employee has served under one or more time-limited appointments totaling more than 24 months without a break of two or more years, and (3) the employee's performance has been at an acceptable level.