---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 3402"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "3402"
heading: "Establishment of part-time career employment programs"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/3402"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart B — Employment and Retention"
  - "Chapter 34 — Part-Time Career Employment Opportunities"
---

# §3402. Establishment of part-time career employment programs

- (a)
  - (1) In order to promote [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) opportunities in all [grade](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-5) levels, the head of each [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), by regulation, shall establish and maintain a program for [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) within such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1). Such regulations shall provide for—
    - (A) the review of [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) which, after such [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) become vacant, may be filled on a [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) basis (including the establishment of criteria to be used in identifying such [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3));
    - (B) procedures and criteria to be used in connection with establishing or converting [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) for [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2), subject to the limitations of [section 3403 of this title](/usc/5/3403.md);
    - (C) annual goals for establishing or converting [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) for [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2), and a timetable setting forth interim and final deadlines for achieving such goals;
    - (D) a continuing review and evaluation of the [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) program established under such regulations; and
    - (E) procedures for notifying the public of vacant part-time [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) in such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), utilizing facilities and [funds](/usc/5/8401.md?p=6) otherwise available to such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) for the dissemination of information.
  - (2) The head of each [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) shall provide for communication between, and coordination of the activities of, the individuals within such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) whose responsibilities relate to the [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) program established within that [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1).
  - (3) Regulations established under paragraph (1) of this subsection may provide for such exceptions as may be necessary to carry out the mission of the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1).
- (b)
  - (1) The [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) of Personnel Management, by regulation, shall establish and maintain a program under which it shall, on the request of an [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), advise and assist such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) in the establishment and maintenance of its [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) program under this chapter.
  - (2) The [Office](/usc/5/5402.md?p=3) shall conduct a research and demonstration program with respect to [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) within the Federal [Government](/usc/5/4101.md?p=3). In particular, such program shall be directed to—
    - (A) determining the extent to which [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2) may be used in filling [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3) which have not traditionally been open for such employment on any extensive basis, such as supervisory, managerial, and professional [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3);
    - (B) determining the extent to which job-sharing arrangements may be established for various occupations and [positions](/usc/5/5102.md?p=a-3); and
    - (C) evaluating attitudes, benefits, costs, efficiency, and productivity associated with [part-time career employment](/usc/5/3401.md?p=2), as well as its various sociological effects as a mode of employment.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 95–437, § 3(a), Oct. 10, 1978, 92 Stat. 1056, § 3392; renumbered § 3402 and amended Pub. L. 95–454, title IX, § 906(c)(1)(B), (2)(B), Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1226.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1978—Pub. L. 95–454, § 906(c)(1)(B), renumbered section 3392 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 95–454, § 906(c)(2)(B)(i), substituted “3403” for “3393”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 95–454, § 906(c)(2)(B)(ii), substituted “Office of Personnel Management” for “Civil Service Commission” and “chapter” for “subchapter”.

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 95–454, § 906(c)(2)(B)(iii), substituted “Office” for “Commission”.

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–454 effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as a note under section 1101 of this title.