(a)  In General.⁠—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)  Critical Position Defined.⁠—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.