to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in Forest Service and Department of the Interior (a) In general The Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior may appoint, without regard to the provisions of sections 3309 through 3318 of title 5, United States Code (other than sections 3303 and 3328 of such chapter), and part 211 and part 337 of subpart A of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, qualified candidates to any position described in subsection (b) in the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior, respectively. (b) Positions A position described in this subsection is any Federal wildland firefighting position, or any position in support of such firefighting position, within any of the following occupational series (or any successor series): (1) Forestry Technician Series, GS–0462. (2) Aircraft Operation Series, GS–2181. (3) Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, GS–0301, that supports firefighting and is eligible for primary or secondary firefighter retirement coverage. (4) General Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series, GS–0401, that supports firefighting and is eligible for primary or secondary firefighter retirement coverage. (5) Aviation Management Specialist Series, GS–2101. (6) Engineering Equipment Operator, WG, WL, or WS–5716, that supports firefighting and is eligible for primary or secondary firefighter retirement coverage. (7) Dispatching Series, GS–2151, that supports firefighting and is eligible for primary or secondary firefighter retirement coverage. (8) Equipment Specialist, GS–1670. (9) Any additional occupational series developed specifically for wildland firefighting. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections for such chapter is amended by adding after the item relating to section 9602 the following: 9603. Direct hire authority to appoint individuals to Federal wildland firefighting and firefighting support positions in Forest Service and Department of the Interior. . 4. Streamlining and transparency in