Making the Difference Jobs in Federal Service

Agenda  Part 1: Opportunities and benefits A job for every interest Benefits of government service Where the Jobs Are  Part 2: Navigating the process How to search for a federal internship or job How to apply for a federal internship or job Essays and KSAs Summary

What young feds say about their jobs “I am able to make a big difference by working from within the Government.” (OPM) “Working for the Government offers me a level of experience and substantive knowledge that I could not access in the private sector at this stage of my career.” (STATE) “I work on the most important national security and humanitarian issues our country faces today and see real progress towards improving how we respond to crises.” (DOD)

Making the Difference 1.Nicole Nelson-Jean U.S. Department of Energy 2.Nicole Faison U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development 3.Tobin Bradley U.S. Department of State 4.Subhashree Madhavan National Institutes of Health

Benefits of government service  Have the opportunity to make a difference  Be able to influence the future of our country  Enjoy work/life balance

Benefits of government service  Student loan repayment assistance Some agencies may repay up to $10,000 of your student loans per year In 2006, 34 agencies provided 5,755 employees with $36 million in assistance The average loan repayment in 2006 was $6,245  Flexible schedules and generous vacation  Training and professional development In 2007, more than half of the $33 million in recruitment money available was spent on entry and developmental-level positions  Competitive health and retirement benefits  Excellent advancement opportunities

Federal pay and advancement  General Schedule (GS) is the pay scale for many Federal jobs from  Varies by geographic location  Each GRADE has 10 steps, allowing for a range of salaries  Within a few years, you can progress through several grades

General Schedule (GS) grade criteria GradeQualifying education GS-54 academic years above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree OR a bachelor’s degree GS-7Bachelor’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-9Master’s degree (or equivalent) GS-11Doctorate degree Source: opm.gov/qualifications/SEC-II/s2-e5.asp GS-5 and GS-7 are considered “entry level”

Selected 2008 starting salaries CityGS-5GS-7GS-9 Atlanta$30,808$38,162$46,680 Chicago $32,347$40,069$49,012 Dallas $31,186$38,631$47,253 New York City $33,187$41,110$50,285 San Francisco $34,808$43,117$52,740 Washington, D.C. $31,751$39,330$48,108 Source:

Selected 2008 starting salaries Then, 2-3 years later… possible career progression CityGS-5GS-7GS-9GS-11 Atlanta$30,808$38,162$46,680 $56,478 Chicago $32,347$40,069$49,012 $59,299 Dallas $31,186$38,631$47,253 $57,171 New York City $33,187$41,110$50,285 $60,840 San Francisco $34,808$43,117$52,740 $63,811 Washington, D.C. $31,751$39,330$48,108 $58,206 Source:

Where the Jobs Are: By location In 2007, agencies spent $11.6 million to relocate employees Plus 50,000 employees work overseas

Where the Jobs Are: By occupation Occupation# Employees Medical and Public Health7,560 Accounting and Budget4,672 Business and Industry2,012 Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare1,828 Engineering and Architecture1,148 Education612 Information Technology376 Source: fedscope.opm.gov In FY 2007, roughly 46,264 people were hired in the federal government at the entry level (GS-5, GS-6, GS-7) into the following occupations:

Agenda  Part 1: Opportunities and benefits A job for every interest Benefits of government service Where the Jobs Are  Part 2: Navigating the process How to search for a federal internship or job How to apply for a federal internship or job Essays and KSAs Summary

Where to start your search Alumni Friends Family Professors

Tools for narrowing your search  makingthedifference.org Search the Partnership’s job seeker site for resources and tools  USA.gov The U.S. Government’s official web portal  Where the Jobs Are A Partnership report with government hiring projections through 2009  bestplacestowork.org The most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee satisfaction in the federal government

Where to look: makingthedifference.org Red, White and Blue Jobs Library: how to find great jobs in the federal service 17 interest-specific career guides Internship database Agency profiles KSA writing and federal resumes Profiles in public service Security clearance Student loan repayment Red, White and Blue Jobs Library: how to find great jobs in the federal service 17 interest-specific career guides Internship database Agency profiles KSA writing and federal resumes Profiles in public service Security clearance Student loan repayment

Where to look: USA.gov

Where to look: Where the Jobs Are  Outlines projected hiring needs through 2009  Covers 99% of the federal workforce, 34 agencies  193,000 mission critical jobs  Presented by agency and by occupation Download at makingthedifference.org

Where to look: Where the Jobs Are

Where to look: bestplacestowork.org

Getting started: student programs Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP) Description Traditional internship Great program for a summer or short term experience Eligibility Any student in enrolled in an accredited degree granting institution Additional Always paid, usually at a GS-2/3 for undergrad Length of the experience is set by the agency Not required to be posted on USAJobs.gov or StudentJobs.gov

STEP example: Department of Commerce

Getting started: student programs Student Career Experience Program (SCEP) Description A student works in an area related to what they are studying Eligibility A student is enrolled in an accredited degree granting institution An agency must form an agreement with the institution the student is attending Additional Always paid Students work at least 640 hours (or less depending on academic achievement or prior experience) After experience, students are eligible to be hired into an agency non- competitively Not required to be posted on USAJobs.gov or StudentJobs.gov

SCEP example: EPA

Getting started: student programs Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP) Description Full time 2 year long position The term “intern” refers to the idea of trying out a position for 2 years Eligibility Student who has received a degree from an accredited degree granting institution Fulfill the academic and skill based requirements set forth by the agency Additional Eligible for all salary and benefits of a regular federal employee Not required to be posted on USAJobs.gov or StudentJobs.gov

FCIP examples: FAS and EPA

Getting started: student programs Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) Description : Government’s prestigious fellowship program Students complete a 2 year rotation within an agency or between agencies as full time fellows Eligibility : Student who has just completed a master’s program Apply during the fall of their final year of graduate school Additional : A candidate must be nominated by their institution. For more information:

Where to look for positions  Your career development center  Popular job/internship search engines  makingthedifference.org The Partnership’s federal internship directory  USAjobs.gov The Government’s main job Web site  studentjobs.gov The Government’s main internship Web site  Agency Web sites Visit the Web sites of agencies whose missions interest you

Internship Directory SEARCH BY: Major Agency Location Year in School Compensation Hours per Week Availability Keyword SEARCH BY: Major Agency Location Year in School Compensation Hours per Week Availability Keyword

Internship Directory EXAMPLE Major = Environmental Sciences Year in School = Junior EXAMPLE Major = Environmental Sciences Year in School = Junior

Internship Directory

LISTING Agency Location Major Description Compensation Duration Eligibility Contact Info LISTING Agency Location Major Description Compensation Duration Eligibility Contact Info

Where to look: USAjobs.gov

Where to look: Studentjobs.gov

Where to look: agency sites

Now let’s search…

Launch the process at USAjobs.gov

Search by various fields SEARCH BY: Keyword Location Job Category Salary Range Pay Grade SEARCH BY: Keyword Location Job Category Salary Range Pay Grade

Federal jobs by college major USAjobs.gov/EI23.asp

Search by interest EXAMPLE: Location = Chicago Job Category = Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare (for Economics) EXAMPLE: Location = Chicago Job Category = Social Science, Psychology, and Welfare (for Economics)

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement

A vacancy announcement can represent multiple hires. Don’t forget to follow up.

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement OVERVIEW Summary of the organization’s mission and impact, plus a brief description of the job and it’s key requirements OVERVIEW Summary of the organization’s mission and impact, plus a brief description of the job and it’s key requirements

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement DUTIES Lists major duties and responsibilities of the position, adding more detail to the brief overview DUTIES Lists major duties and responsibilities of the position, adding more detail to the brief overview

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement QUALIFICATIONS & EVALUATION Identifies skills and experience needed for the role and explains how applications will be assessed QUALIFICATIONS & EVALUATION Identifies skills and experience needed for the role and explains how applications will be assessed

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement BENEFITS & OTHER INFO Describes additional elements of the compensation package or perks associated with the job BENEFITS & OTHER INFO Describes additional elements of the compensation package or perks associated with the job

Anatomy of a vacancy announcement HOW TO APPLY Provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply and may include information on when/how applicants can expect to hear from the agency HOW TO APPLY Provides step-by-step instructions on how to apply and may include information on when/how applicants can expect to hear from the agency

How to apply BE CAREFUL! Follow the “How to Apply” instructions closely — they may differ across agencies. BE CAREFUL! Follow the “How to Apply” instructions closely — they may differ across agencies.

How to apply

Overview of the online process After selecting the job to which you’d like to apply, there are usually several steps in the online application process: 1.Create your federal resume 2.Answer the questions posed online 3.Submit the complete application package by the stated deadline 4.Follow up with the appropriate agency contact to inquire about progress in hiring for the position

Building a federal resume online

Sections:  Candidate information  Work experience  Education  References  Affiliations  Desired locations

Requirements for a federal resume Federal resumes require more detail than standard resumes. Essentials include: Information about the opening Personal information Education and coursework levels Work experience Dates and number of hours worked per week Location of position and supervisor contact information Other qualifications

Building a federal resume Program Coordinator -Oversee three mentoring programs in limited resource communities -Recruit, train and manage 25 adult mentors and 30 youth

Federal application process Applicants will be assessed for federal opportunities using one of the following methods: Application Questionnaire Essays (sometimes called KSAs)

Sample questionnaire Serve as a primary point of contact for a specific subject matter. 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. Serve as a primary point of contact for a specific subject matter. 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.

Application essays Agencies commonly require essays as part of the application to address characteristics they seek. Can be extremely important in the evaluation process in sorting out the best qualified candidates Vary depending on the job, but examples include: skill in written and oral communications; demonstrated technical ability; knowledge of specific subject matter areas Are similar to interview questions; answers should provide concrete examples (coursework and volunteer experience count), particularly to demonstrate quantifiable results, complexity or leadership Should be a narrative written in first person and vary in length. Use electronic boxes to determine or if KSAs 1-2 pages

What is KSA? KSA is an acronym for “Knowledge, Skills and Abilities” Specifically address each KSA in your application, providing examples of how your experience prepares you for this role

KSA response approach: CCAR  Context Describe the specific problem you had to address. What did you have to solve, resolve, respond to, handle, etc.?  Challenges Describe the factors that contributed to a particular challenge such as budget cuts, new legislation, institutional reform, new goals from upper management, etc.  Action Describe the steps you took to solve the problem. Stay away from the ordinary — be extraordinary in your response!  Result Describe the outcomes of your actions — use %, #s, grades. What was the difference you made — highlight THE BEST.

Sample KSA Ability to communicate in writing.

KSA response example Context- As the Newsletter Editor in my living-learning community, I was responsible for writing articles and editing all submissions published in our monthly newsletter. Challenges - Our community wanted to use the newsletter as a means for reaching out to alumni of the program with the goal of increasing their involvement in the community. Before I started as Editor, we had never had a submission from an alum. Action - I decided to focus the first newsletter of the year entirely on accomplishments of our alumni, with a message throughout encouraging alumni to submit articles and pictures. Result - Over the course of the academic year when I was Newsletter Editor, we received an average of 5 alumni submissions per newsletter. Additionally, alumni and program participants rated the quality of the newsletter higher than any other year. Context- As the Newsletter Editor in my living-learning community, I was responsible for writing articles and editing all submissions published in our monthly newsletter. Challenges - Our community wanted to use the newsletter as a means for reaching out to alumni of the program with the goal of increasing their involvement in the community. Before I started as Editor, we had never had a submission from an alum. Action - I decided to focus the first newsletter of the year entirely on accomplishments of our alumni, with a message throughout encouraging alumni to submit articles and pictures. Result - Over the course of the academic year when I was Newsletter Editor, we received an average of 5 alumni submissions per newsletter. Additionally, alumni and program participants rated the quality of the newsletter higher than any other year.

Summary tips for the KSA section  Address key words/phrases mentioned in the position description  Tie your experiences to each KSA  Use illustrative examples  Focus on outcomes to which you directly contributed  Use plain language, without acronyms  Review your answers (with outside help) to ensure they are succinct, easy to read, and grammatically correct  Save your essays to use for other applications  Download a KSA Writing worksheet

Applicant eligibility When submitting an application, agencies request eligibility information including: Past or current federal employment Veteran qualifications ( Disability status Non-competitive appointment Peace Corps and AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteers have 1 year of non-competitive eligibility

Summary: tips for applying  Plan ahead Allow plenty of time to thoroughly complete your application  Select carefully Always consider using a tailored application for each vacancy you apply  Prepare for a wait Don’t assume you have been rejected if you do not hear back within weeks of submitting your application  Follow-up with an agency Contact the identified representative to learn the status of an application or find out more about a job

What happens next  After the closing date for applications, the agency evaluates candidate qualifications  From this assessment, the agency produces a list of qualified candidates  From the list of qualified applicants, agencies select candidates for interviews  At this point, agencies are like other organizations They conduct interviews and select the best candidate(s) for the job Some jobs require security clearance

Summary  Federal agencies hire the best and brightest, and getting a Federal job is competitive  Increase your chances of being hired by following a few clear steps: 1.Research potential opportunities 2.Consider various employment avenues 3.Search on job Web sites and specific agencies 4.Follow the application directions carefully  Sell yourself!

Questions  Brooke Bohnet  Brad Golson  Caroline Pettit

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