The Chance to Compete Act cuts traditional bureaucratic barriers that limit opportunities for Arizonans seeking federal careers
WASHINGTON –Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act – bipartisan legislation making job hiring fairer for Arizonans seeking federal jobs by reducing traditional bureaucratic barriers, such as relying on resume reviews and agency self-assessments that limit opportunities unanimously passed Congress. The legislation – introduced with Republican Senators Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and James Lankford (Okla.) and Democratic Senator Tom Carper (Del.) – is headed to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
“Our bill reduces unnecessary barriers to ensure Arizonans who have the ability and skill for certain federal jobs get a fair chance to compete – helping to ensure Arizonans of all backgrounds can build better lives for themselves and their families,” said Sinema.
Sinema’s legislation helps eliminate long-time challenges that often prevent skilled workers from getting federal jobs. Instead of relying on subjective self-evaluations, key-word search resume reviews, and binary credentials for positions, federal agencies will be required to use actual job evaluations and tests to determine if applicants can do the job. Sinema’s bipartisan Chance to Compete Act expands job opportunities and possibilities for Arizonans who have the ability and skill to perform these jobs but might not have the traditional requirements, such as a college degree.
The Chance to Compete Act also allows agencies to share information more easily about job candidates when they are working to fill similar positions. This will decrease time to hire for all applicants, making the federal hiring process more efficient and effective. The bill also takes steps to increase federal hiring transparency and improve federal human resource departments. Earlier this year, Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act unanimously approved by the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Earlier this week, the American Federation of Government Employees National – the largest federal employee union – applauded the passage of Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act.