Federal Jobs Hiring Procedures

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course is designed to

Objective: Become familiar with

The federal government has specific outlined procedures applicants must follow to obtain employment. Most government jobs are considered civil service positions, which use two types of hiring procedures—competitive and excepted service. For competitive service positions, which comprise 80 percent of federal government jobs, the job opening must be made public, and applicants must apply either through the particular agency or through the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), which will judge all applicants competitively. Excepted (or exempted) positions fall under the jurisdiction of the specific agency, and applicants must apply directly to that agency.

Since most federal jobs are competitive service, the OPM plays a large role in hiring federal employees. The OPM includes a central headquarters in Washington, D.C.; five regional offices around the country, as well as the Washington Area Service Center; and Federal Job Information Centers (FJICs). The FJIC's sole purpose is to assist people seeking federal jobs by answering questions, providing and monitoring applications, and referring applicants to test sites or employment agencies. To learn about job openings in their area and obtain applications, job seekers should contact the regional office or FJIC closest to them.

The OPM lists five basic avenues for obtaining a government job: direct application, the ACWA exam, the Outstanding Scholar Program, clerical and administrative support occupations, and special occupations.

The direct application is the most basic process. Once you identify a job opening either through the FJIC or other sources, contact the FJIC or the agency's personnel office about the application process. Then submit the required paperwork as directed. This will include the SF-171, the official application form for federal government jobs. Take your time completing this important form, as it's the equivalent of a resume. Be sure to clearly list your strengths and abilities and outline all your relevant experience. Also make sure to include any other information requested for the specific position. In addition, certain positions will require you to take a test.

For entry-level professional or administrative jobs, the ACWA (Administrative Careers with America) allows those with college degrees or equivalent experience to take a test to apply for GS-5 and GS-7 jobs. If you pass, you can be referred for vacant positions. Contact your local FJIC regarding test-taking.

The Outstanding Scholar Program allows certain applicants to bypass the ACWA and apply directly to agencies. Those who graduated college with at least a 3.5 GPA or in the upper ten percent of their class may qualify.

Applicants who don't mind starting in lower-level positions and working their way up might consider clerical and administrative support occupations. These positions require an exam before applying directly to agencies.

Finally, certain high-demand jobs, called special occupations, involve alternate application procedures. Your local FJIC can provide more information on applying for special occupations.

Regardless of the avenue you use to apply for a job with the federal government, take advantage of all the resources at your disposal. Contact the FJIC to answer any questions you may have. Make sure you understand the process completely, and put in the required amount of time and effort to make the most of the opportunities government jobs present.