Science and Technology Leadership in American Government: Ensuring the Best Presidential Appointments

tion, if one was ever conducted, to reduce this significant source of delay in the nomination process.

Background investigations by the FBI add weeks and even months to the appointment process. Some of this time could be saved if the FBI only had to investigate the time period since a previous investigation. This would be especially helpful in recruiting scientists and engineers because some of those nominated for important PAS positions have already been investigated by the FBI before appointment to such science advisory boards as the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology and the National Science Board.³

The President's Commission on the Federal Appointments Process made a similar recommendation that the FBI only investigate the years since the last FBI background check that was based on a full field investigation, to "avoid time-consuming reinvestigations of old information" (President's Commission, 1990:9).

Table of Contents

FRONT MATTER R1-R12

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1-18

1. INTRODUCTION 19-30

2. REDUCING THE HURDLES AND DISINCENTIVES 31-48

3. IMPROVING RECRUITMENT AND EXPANDING THE POOL OF CANDIDATES 49-60

4. MAKING THE JOBS THEMSELVES MORE ATTRACTIVE 61-66

APPENDIXES 67-88

REFERENCES 89-90