The US Office of Personnel Management issued a final rule that will enable federal agencies to appoint employees in temporary STEM jobs for a decade.

The final rule will provide agencies the flexibility and discretion to hire individuals with knowledge, skills and abilities tailored to specific long-term projects.

Government Executive reported the proposed rule was pending for more than two years as OPM weighed its priorities in the new administration and comments from a dozen groups and individuals.

“With this final rule, agencies have more flexibility and support (and less administrative burden) to hire employees — rather than contractors — for non-permanent STEM positions that agencies expect from the outset to last longer than four years but not more than 10 years,” Viet Tran, an OPM spokesman, told Government Executive. “This is another tool to help agencies better compete for talent.”

In the announcement on Dec. 1, the Office of Personnel Management said the longer-term appointment is expected to assist agencies in recruiting individuals interested in acquiring skills and would be less likely to pursue or accept a career position.

In addition, the agency noted that appointments made under the rule will not extend beyond 10 years.

The rule is set to take effect on Jan. 3; it was first proposed under the Trump administration.