; and (B) vest those personnel with such powers and duties as the Administrator determines to be necessary. (2) Direct hire authority (A) In general Notwithstanding section 3304 and sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code, the Administrator may, on a determination that there is a severe shortage of candidates or a critical hiring need for particular positions, recruit and directly appoint highly qualified critical personnel with specialized knowledge important to the function of the Administration into the competitive service. (B) Exception The authority granted under subparagraph (A) shall not apply to positions in the excepted service or the Senior Executive Service. (C) Requirements In exercising the authority granted under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall ensure that any action taken by the Administrator— (i) is consistent with the merit principles of section 2301 of title 5, United States Code; and (ii) complies with the public notice requirements of section 3327 of title 5, United States Code. (D) Termination of effectiveness The authority provided by this paragraph terminates effective on the date that is 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (3) Critical pay authority (A) In general Notwithstanding section 5377 of title 5, United States Code, and without regard to the provisions of that title governing appointments in the competitive service or the Senior Executive Service and chapters 51 and 53 of that title (relating to classification and pay rates), the Administrator may establish, fix the compensation of, and appoint individuals to critical positions needed to carry out the functions of the Administration, if the Administrator certifies that— (i) the positions require expertise of an extremely high level in a financial, technical, or scientific field; (ii) the Administration would not successfully accomplish an important mission without such an individual