§51324. Unfilled vacancies

(a) In General.-In the event of an unfilled vacancy for any critical position at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, the Secretary of Transportation may appoint, without regard to the provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, other than sections 3303 and 3328 of that title, a qualified candidate for the purposes of filling up to 20 of such positions.

(b) Critical Position Defined.-In this section, the term "critical position" means a position that contributes to the improvement of-

(1) the culture or infrastructure of the Academy;

(2) student health and well being;

(3) Academy governance; or

(4) any other priority areas identified by the Council.

(Added Pub. L. 117–81, div. C, title XXXV, §3501(c)(1), Dec. 27, 2021, 135 Stat. 2238 .)