§ 51324. Unfilled vacancies

• (a) 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) 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.