Washington, DC - As part of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) ongoing Hiring Reform initiative, OPM established shared registers for entry-level Budget Analysts (GS-5/7/9) and IT Specialists (GS-9). The goal of these shared registers is to help federal agencies speed up the hiring of high quality applicants into critical positions.

"Shared registers are an innovative tool to help federal agencies address some critical staffing challenges," said OPM Director John Berry. "OPM is evolving this tool to help agencies and the high quality applicants they need to connect quickly and efficiently."

In 2009, OPM established shared registers for 12 commonly filled occupations and sought feedback from our customer agencies. Based on that feedback, these registers were closed for retooling in 2010. After closing and evaluating them, OPM discussed lessons learned with the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council. OPM and the CHCO Council concluded that registers are of the greatest value for entry-level positions, particularly when targeted to specific occupations and locations. In March 2011, at the request of the Council, OPM worked to establish shared registers for entry-level Budget Analysts and IT Specialists.

To keep these shared registers from becoming stale, OPM is asking agencies to submit a request for a certificate for either a Budget Analyst or IT Specialist by September 30, 2011. Any agency can request a certificate to use these shared registers. After requesting the certificate, OPM will send a certificate of eligibles to that agency. This certificate of eligibles will list, by name, the "best qualified" candidates for that vacancy. That agency then has 30 days to review the list and return the certificates to OPM. This will keep the process timely on behalf of the applicants.

A shared register provides a pool of qualified applicants for current job opportunities at multiple agencies in multiple locations. This gives applicants an opportunity to be considered for these positions through a single application process. Upon request, agencies will receive a certificate of qualified candidates to help meet their critical hiring needs.

To view the memorandum please visit: http://chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=4237.

Our mission is to Recruit, Retain and Honor a World-Class Workforce to Serve the American People. OPM supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.