5 C.F.R. § 316.601 Appointment without competitive examination in rare cases.
(a) An agency may make an appointment without competitive examination when:
(1) The duties and compensation of the position are such, or qualified persons are so rare, that in the interest of good civil service administration the position cannot be filled through open competitive examination;
(2) The person to be appointed meets all applicable qualification requirements for the position; and
(3) The appointment is specifically authorized by the Office or is made under an agreement between the agency and the Office providing for such appointments.
(b) A person appointed under paragraph (a) of this section does not acquire a competitive status on the basis of that appointment.
(c) When a position filled under paragraph (a) of this section becomes vacant, the agency may fill the vacancy by another appointment under paragraph (a) of this section only if the conditions of paragraph (a)(3) of this section are again met.