A bill that would streamline the application process for federal jobs – like those within agencies such as the State Department – is advancing in Washington, D.C.
It's the latest in a years-long effort to reform what lawmakers say is a bogged down federal hiring and recruitment process.
U.S. Sen. Kyrsten Sinema from Arizona co-introduced the Chance to Compete Act last year.
If passed, it would modify certain aspects of the federal hiring process for competitive positions – rather than agencies assessing candidates and resumes through an internal process, that process would be overseen by a subject matter expert. It would also place a greater emphasis on an applicant’s skills, which advocates say would help fill certain cybersecurity positions and others that require technical knowledge. Agencies would also establish teams to assess and revamp hiring practices.
The bill passed the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee recently and will next head to the Senate floor.
