U.S. Federal Government Career Opportunities

1. U.S. Federal GovernmentCareer Opportunities

2. Take Aways Federal Government Overview Competitive Examination Process Student Programs Federal Career Employment Program (FCIP) Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Final Thoughts Focus on your interests (topics, skills, activities, environment) Be open and creative Spend LESS time on the internet Educate the employers THIS IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LOOK AT PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. WANT THIS TO BE MORE OF A DISCUSSION, B/C I KNOW YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE WITH PROGRAMS I DON’T KNOW ABOUTTHIS IS BY NO MEANS AN EXHAUSTIVE LOOK AT PROFESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. WANT THIS TO BE MORE OF A DISCUSSION, B/C I KNOW YOU HAVE KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE WITH PROGRAMS I DON’T KNOW ABOUT

3. Federal Government Hiring Overview 550,000 will leave federal workforce over 5 years Projected 200,000+ hires over next two years 85% of all positions outside of DC Positions available for any interest Be Creative Start Early Talk to people…spend less time on internet This could take a long time—protect yourself About 250 agencies, bureaus, offices, divisions, etc., in the federal government You don’t have to know all of them, just the ones that interest you the mostAbout 250 agencies, bureaus, offices, divisions, etc., in the federal government You don’t have to know all of them, just the ones that interest you the most

4. Federal Government Hiring Overview About 250 agencies, bureaus, offices, divisions, etc., in the federal government You don’t have to know all of them, just the ones that interest you the mostAbout 250 agencies, bureaus, offices, divisions, etc., in the federal government You don’t have to know all of them, just the ones that interest you the most

5. Traditional hiring method— “Rate & Ranking” Vacancies posted on USAJobs—Most posted at www.avuecentral.com Eligibility: Open to all or those with “Status” Qualified applicants are ranked to identify “best-qualified” Applicants’ qualifications assessed with KSAs Ranking affected by Veterans’ Preference, other hiring authorities Traditional Hiring: 20% of FTP GS-5/7/9 hired through CE in FY 2005 Vacancies on USAJobs: Should check AVUEcentral.com too AND individual agency sites—PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Eligibility: Do NOT necessarily need to be U.S. citizen. Check eligibility section Best Qualified: If you do not rank at a 4 or 5 for one (maybe two), think about NOT applying.Traditional Hiring: 20% of FTP GS-5/7/9 hired through CE in FY 2005 Vacancies on USAJobs: Should check AVUEcentral.com too AND individual agency sites—PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Eligibility: Do NOT necessarily need to be U.S. citizen. Check eligibility section Best Qualified: If you do not rank at a 4 or 5 for one (maybe two), think about NOT applying.

6. Searching for Positions Using Acronyms to Find Federal Opportunities

7. Searching for Positions

8. Opportunities in and Around New York 87 positions using: Bronx, Brooklyn, New York City Program Support Assistant, Dept. of Veterans Affairs (GS 06/07) Financial Analyst, Office of Inspector General, Dept. of Education (GS 09/11) Logistics Support Specialist, Office of Investigations and Counterintelligence, Dept. of State (GS 07/09) Program Analyst, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (GS 9/13) Management and Program Analyst, Office of Inspector General, Dept. of Transportation (07/09)—Federal Career Intern Program Bartender, Dept. of the Army (Hourly)

9. EXAMPLE OF WHAT’S OUT THERE… This position is located in the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT), Operations and Research Division, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). OCFT is responsible for developing policy and program recommendations relating to international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking issues and conducting research and reporting on similar issues. Coordinating the Department's grants to support international programs to eliminate child labor, forced labor and human trafficking. As an international relations analyst, the incumbent conducts research and analysis of child labor, forced labor and human trafficking issues through study, and monitoring of relevant legislation, bills, pertinent International Labor Organization (ILO) standards, and a variety of other relevant sources. EXAMPLE OF WHAT’S OUT THERE… This position is located in the Office of Child Labor, Forced Labor and Human Trafficking (OCFT), Operations and Research Division, Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB). OCFT is responsible for developing policy and program recommendations relating to international child labor, forced labor and human trafficking issues and conducting research and reporting on similar issues. Coordinating the Department's grants to support international programs to eliminate child labor, forced labor and human trafficking. As an international relations analyst, the incumbent conducts research and analysis of child labor, forced labor and human trafficking issues through study, and monitoring of relevant legislation, bills, pertinent International Labor Organization (ILO) standards, and a variety of other relevant sources.

11. There is an hourly table for these as well...for student positions. Can be found at OPM…search for General Schedule or GS tableThere is an hourly table for these as well...for student positions. Can be found at OPM…search for General Schedule or GS table

12. Internships Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) 2007: 59,510 students hired in STEP/SCEP Excepted service appointment Not all positions require citizenship Not required to be posted on USAJobs or StudentJobs.gov For more information go to www.opm.gov/employ/students/

13. Enrolled or accepted for enrollment Taking at least half-time course load (defined by school) At least 16 years old Meet minimum qualification requirements for the grade Written tests are waived No rating and ranking

14. Duties do not have to be related to academic field of study Up to 1-year temporary appointment; can be extended in 1-year increments Students who complete academic requirements for degree/diploma/certificate are no longer eligible and must be separated

15. Eligible for promotion Generally ineligible for health insurance Eligible for conversion to SCEP Eligible for vacation and sick leave Ineligible for retirement and life insurance Ineligible for conversion to permanent appointment STEP not eligible for within-grade increases (WIGI) if in GS; eligible for WIGI if in WG If converted to SCEP, STEP time counts toward the 640 hours needed for conversion to permanent if STEP time is related to academic or career goals STEP time does not count toward tenure (tenure is 3 years of non-temporary appointment) STEP time is creditable for the WIGI Generally not entitled to health insurance. However, once students have been continuously employed for a year without a break in service exceeding 5 days, they may enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, but they would have to pay 100 percent of the premium. Ineligible for life insurance coverage STEP not eligible for within-grade increases (WIGI) if in GS; eligible for WIGI if in WG If converted to SCEP, STEP time counts toward the 640 hours needed for conversion to permanent if STEP time is related to academic or career goals STEP time does not count toward tenure (tenure is 3 years of non-temporary appointment) STEP time is creditable for the WIGI Generally not entitled to health insurance. However, once students have been continuously employed for a year without a break in service exceeding 5 days, they may enroll in the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program, but they would have to pay 100 percent of the premium. Ineligible for life insurance coverage

16. Duties directly related to academic study Requires written agreement between agency, school, and student May be converted to full employment and given “status” after: successful completion of degree program AND meeting work experience of 640 work hours “Agreement” for our students usually means getting a form signed by me, director or assoc. director. Military service related to SCEP position is creditable for the 640 hrs needed for conversion 320 hours can be waived for outstanding academic achievement or exceptional job performance (Federal or non-Federal work)—Includes STEP positions 320 hrs of non-Federal program comparable to SCEP can be credited for conversion KEEP TRACK OF YOUR HOURS“Agreement” for our students usually means getting a form signed by me, director or assoc. director. Military service related to SCEP position is creditable for the 640 hrs needed for conversion 320 hours can be waived for outstanding academic achievement or exceptional job performance (Federal or non-Federal work)—Includes STEP positions 320 hrs of non-Federal program comparable to SCEP can be credited for conversion KEEP TRACK OF YOUR HOURS

17. Eligible for promotion (e.g., GS7 to GS9) Eligible for both health and life insurance coverage (buy-in) Vacation, sick leave, and retirement Student may stay extra 120-days Conversion can be with a different agency Importance of being in “status”

18. Student programs not necessarily on USAJobs or StudentJobs.gov STEP: like part-time job/internship SCEP: like co-op SCEP has greatest advantages/benefits Conversion can be with a different agency U.S. Citizenship not necessarily required

19. Federal Career Internship Program (FCIP) Other hiring authorities (DHA, Vets, Disabled) Hiring protocol preferred by agencies Created to bring in future managers—has been abused Lots of changes coming Pretty close to hiring on the spotPretty close to hiring on the spot

20. 2-year formal training program Open to all, not necessarily students May be converted to competitive service appointment after completion of program Not required to be posted on USAJobs Usually no KSAs and non-federal resume Fill entry-level jobs at grades: GS 5/7/9 Negotiable Examples: GAO’s PDP, HHS’s ELP, DHS Office of Policy Honors Fellows, EPA

21. GAO: Professional Development Program (PDP) HHS: Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) DHS: Honors/Policy Fellows DoL: MBA program DoT: FHWA program DoE: Nonproliferation Graduate Program (NGP)

22. Premier program for leadership development in the Federal civil service Provides two-year Federal Government fellowship with accelerated promotion potential to individuals who have completed a graduate-level course of study from an accredited college or university Non-competitive appointment to a full-time permanent position upon successful completion of the Program Original purpose of PMF was to train top level graduate students to be effective governmental managers in any agency.Original purpose of PMF was to train top level graduate students to be effective governmental managers in any agency.

23. Appointed at the GS-9, 11, or 12 (or equivalent); Promotion potential up to the GS-13 80 hours formal, classroom training per year Developmental Opportunities: One 4-6 month developmental assignment Optional short-term rotations possible Full Benefits including Health and Life Insurance; Paid Holidays; Annual and Sick Leave; Transit Subsidy; and retirement Potential Federal Student Loan Repayment Program with limits of $10,000 per employee per calendar year, and total repayment of $60,000 per employee Typical career path with limited prior experience: Appointment - GS-9, step 1 (or equivalent) 1-year Anniversary - eligible for GS-11, step 1 Program Completion - eligible for GS-12, step 1 Typical career path with limited prior experience: Appointment - GS-9, step 1 (or equivalent) 1-year Anniversary - eligible for GS-11, step 1 Program Completion - eligible for GS-12, step 1

24. Eligibility Graduate students from all academic disciplines who expect to complete an advanced degree (master's, law, or doctoral-level degree) from a qualifying college or university during the 2009-2010 academic year (September 1, 2009 - August 31, 2010) are eligible to apply The 2009 PMF Class had 5,111 applicants (40% more than 2008) and 4,257 nominees; 3,788 participated in the assessment process, and 784 finalists were selected. As of August 11, 2009, there are 395 appointments recorded.  

25. 2009-2010 Schedule Online application available October 1-15 Students submit online applications by October 15 Student Nomination Request due to TSPPPA: October 16 Nomination Officials submit Nominees by October 31 Nominees assessments January/February 2010 Finalists notified of their selection by March 2010 Job Fair in March/April 2010 Agencies hire Finalists over one full year

26. 10,625: Number hired as SEEP in FY 2007 5,404 student trainee in FY 2006 FY 2004-FY 2007: 147% FCIP increase10,625: Number hired as SEEP in FY 2007 5,404 student trainee in FY 2006 FY 2004-FY 2007: 147% FCIP increase

27. Your Interests/Alumni Partnership for Public Service www.makingthedifference.org www.bestplacestowork.org www.wherethejobsare.org USAJobs, StudentJobs.gov, CFOJobs.gov, AvueCentral.com http://watt.house.gov/SupportingFiles/documents/Internship_Opportunities_09.pdf Federaljobsearch.com www.fedworld.gov Publicservice.moster.com www.resume-place.com www.govloop.com Student and Post-Grad Options: Where to Look DON’T LOOK JUST AT WASHINGTON, DC. LOOK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN ALL AGENCIES. CNCS—RUNS AMERICORPS, ETC. DoI—HAS GREAT PROGRAM WITH U.S. PROTECTORATES EX-IM BANK AND OPIC OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BOTH GREAT AGENCIES DON’T LOOK JUST AT WASHINGTON, DC. LOOK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN ALL AGENCIES. CNCS—RUNS AMERICORPS, ETC. DoI—HAS GREAT PROGRAM WITH U.S. PROTECTORATES EX-IM BANK AND OPIC OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BOTH GREAT AGENCIES

28. Student and Post-Grad Options DON’T LOOK JUST AT WASHINGTON, DC. LOOK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN ALL AGENCIES. Almost any job outside the federal government can be found inside the federal government CNCS—RUNS AMERICORPS, ETC. DoI—HAS GREAT PROGRAM WITH U.S. PROTECTORATES EX-IM BANK AND OPIC OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BOTH GREAT AGENCIES DON’T LOOK JUST AT WASHINGTON, DC. LOOK THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY IN ALL AGENCIES. Almost any job outside the federal government can be found inside the federal government CNCS—RUNS AMERICORPS, ETC. DoI—HAS GREAT PROGRAM WITH U.S. PROTECTORATES EX-IM BANK AND OPIC OFTEN OVERLOOKED. BOTH GREAT AGENCIES

29. Final Thoughts When you leave today… Focus on your interests (topics, skills, activities, environment) Be open and creative Spend LESS time on the internet Educate the employers