Great Timing for a Bill to Streamline Agencies' Hiring

There's long been lots of talk around town about the sad state of the federal hiring process. Now, two key senators have decided to take action.

Sens. Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio), the top two members of the Senate subcommittee on oversight of government management, the federal workforce and the District of Columbia, have introduced legislation they say will streamline hiring.

If the legislation delivers as promised, it couldn't come at a better time. The massive economic stimulus package and baby boomer retirements will generate thousands of federal jobs. The sluggish employment process certainly needs stimulating if it's going to be ready.

Certainly, there are legitimate reasons for the government to sometimes take longer than industry to bring workers on board. But it's also true that "too many federal agencies have built entry barriers for new workers and invented evaluation processes that discourage qualified candidates," as Akaka said.

Among other things, the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act would require agencies to -- trumpets, please -- "post brief, clear job announcements in plain writing." It says something about Uncle Sam's dense bureaucratic mind-set if legislation is needed to produce simple announcements that generate more interest than frustration.

Another provision would do away with the "knowledge, skills and abilities" essays that applicants are required to write. Instead, they would be allowed to submit cover letters and résumés, as is common in the private sector. The notorious KSAs have been particularly scary to some people, and a cottage industry has grown to help applicants navigate them and the hiring process generally.

Other provisions in the legislation would require agencies to:

-- Develop strategic workforce plans that include hiring projections and critical skills gaps.

-- Provide timely notification to applicants on the status of their applications.