How to Apply for Federal Jobs

Barbara RichardsonCareer Center Liaison, Warner College of Natural Resources

Colorado State University

Career Center Resources

To schedule an appointment, call the Colorado State University Career Center at

491-5707

or come by Drop-Ins (next to Sweet Sinsations in the LSC), M-F, 8:30 – 4:30…no

appointment necessary!

Agenda

• Overview of Government Jobs & Lingo • Student Programs • Applying on USAjobs.gov • Federal Resumes & KSAs • Changes• Questions

Types of Government Jobs

In 2009, roughly 103,631 people were hired into the federal government at the entry-level (GS-5, GS-6, GS-7, GS-8, GS-9) into the following occupations:

In 2009, roughly 103,631 people were hired into the federal government at the entry-level (GS-5, GS-6, GS-7, GS-8, GS-9) into the following occupations:

Occupation # Employees

Business and Accounting 12,802

Legal 11,064Medical and Public Health 11,005Biology/Natural Resources 7,614Social Sciences/Liberal Arts 4,254

Engineering and Architecture 3,696Education 1,527

Information Technology 1,522

Location of Government Jobs

Only 16% in the Washington, D.C.

metro region

Plus 50,000 jobs overseas!

Benefits of Government Jobs

• Student loan repayment assistance–Up to $10,000 per year– In 2009, 36 agencies provided

8,454 employees with $61.8 million in assistance

• Flexible schedules and generous vacation time

• Training and professional development

• Competitive health and retirement benefits

Government Lingo

• Excepted Service • Competitive Service• Noncompetitive Service• Job/Occupational Series • Veterans Preference • GS/Pay Bands• Student Employment• KSA – Knowledge, Skills &

Abilities

GS/Pay Band

Grade Qualifying educationGS-5 4 academic years above high school leading to a

bachelor’s degree OR a bachelor’s degree

GS-7 Bachelor’s degree with one of the following:• Class standing (upper third of class)• 3.0 or higher GPA; 3.5 or higher GPA in major • Honor society membership

GS-9 Master’s degree (or equivalent)GS-11 Doctorate degree or J.D.

GS-5 and GS-7 are considered “entry

level”Source: opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp

Salaries

City GS-5 GS-7 GS-9 GS-11

Atlanta $32,722 $40,534 $49,581 $59,987

Chicago $34,316 $42,508 $51,995 $62,909

Dallas $33,101 $41,002 $50,154 $60,681

New York City $35,309 $43,738 $53,500 $64,729

San Francisco $37,073 $45,923 $56,172 $67,963

Washington, D.C. $34,075 $42,209 $51,630 $62,467

Possible career progression over a

2-3year period

Source: http://opm.gov/oca/11tables/indexGS.asp

Student Programs…

STEP and SCEP

Federal Career Internship Program (FCIP)

Presidential Management Fellows Program

CURRENT PROGRAMS

ENDED MARCH 1st

Internship Program

Recent Graduates Program

Presidential Management Fellows Program

ANNOUNCED PROGRAMS

…in Transition

Internship Program: • Paid opportunities while still in school• Agencies may convert eligible participants to full-time employment

Recent Graduate Program: • Apply within 2 years of receiving degree• Veterans can apply within in six years of receiving a degree if they have

been actively serving in the military

Presidential Management Fellows Program: • The recruiting calendar will be adjusted to better align with academic

calendars• Open to advanced degree students within two years of graduation

Steps to Apply

To find and apply for a federal job, follow these steps online:

1. Search for specific positions

2. Create your federal resume

3. Complete application questionnaires

4. Submit the complete application by deadline

5. Follow up with the agency contact

Where to Find Federal Jobs

Usajobs.gov

CLOSED

October 7 – 12, 2011

Usajobs.gov Hints

• Create a profile and resume before you begin to apply for jobs • Don’t hesitate to contact the agency –

use the contact information listed on the announcement • Print the job announcement, once the

deadline passes, it won’t be accessible • Save your favorite searches and set it to

email you

Usajobs.gov Hints

Federal Resumes

Federal resumes require more detail than standard resumes

Hrs worked/week, supervisor’s name & phone number, salary

1-5 pages in length

Carefully review the job vacancy announcement or position description

Focus on the “duties” or “responsibilities” section, and customize your resume accordingly by identifying and including key words and phrases

Target your resume for every job you apply for!

Duty 1: Research design: developing an evaluation's scope, research questions, and data collection methods • Contributed to a collaborative article evaluating

communication journals’ external validity • Developed the methodology, research questions, and

research design for the research article and coded journal articles

• Wrote methodology section of paper outlining data collection methods

• Followed rigorous fact-checking and information citing procedures

• Received an A on the assignment.

Federal Resume Tips

Application Questionnaires• Between 25-125 questions• May include yes/no questions as well as experience-based questions• Tip: Preview questions using a link found in the job vacancy announcement

Participates in basic health care teaching to patients and their families. A.I have not had education, training or experience in performing this task. B.I have had education or training in performing the task, but have not yet performed it on the job. C.I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D.I have performed this task as a regular part of my job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E.I am considered an expert in performing this task. I have supervised performance of this task or am normally the person who is consulted by other workers to assist them in this task because of my expertise.

Assessments

Some full-time positions will require applicants to go through the security clearance process, all require a general background check

Begin gathering relevant information now

Check out the SF-85 and SF-86 form

Tip: Be honest!

Security Clearances

Changes implemented by November 1, 2010:• Eliminate KSAs from the initial application

process• Allow individuals to apply with a résumé

and cover letter• Improve the quality and speed of hiring• Notify applicants about their status during

the process Visit opm.gov/hiringreform for additional

information

Hiring Reform

Additional Resources

• 18 interest-specific career guides

• Agency profiles• Application and

federal resume tips• Security clearances

information• Student loan

repayment information

• Profiles of young feds

Additional Resources

Additional Resources

Barbara Richardson, Career Center LiaisonWarner College of Natural Resources

107 C Natural ResourcesBarbara.Richardson@ColoState.edu

(970) 491-2668