Senator introduced Chance to Compete Act to cut traditional bureaucratic barriers that limit opportunities for Arizonans seeking federal careers
WASHINGTON – Arizona senior Senator Kyrsten Sinema introduced the bipartisan Chance to Compete Act with Republican Senators Bill Hagerty (Tenn.) and James Lankford (Okla.) and Democratic Senator Tom Carper (Del.) to make federal 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.
“Arizonans who have the ability and skill for certain federal jobs should be given a fair chance to compete, regardless of whether they have unnecessary educational requirements unrelated to the jobs they’re applying to. We’re expanding opportunities so Arizonans of all backgrounds can build the lives they choose for themselves and their families,” said Sinema, Chair of the Senate Government Operations Subcommittee.
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.
Sinema’s Chance to Compete Act successfully passed the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee last Congress with bipartisan approval.