1. Finding Federal Employment: UNITED STATES OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

2. “Public service is not simply a noble profession, it is an honorable life. Your service to your country makes the ideal of America a daily, living reality.” President George W. Bush Message from the President

3. Federal Employment Facts The Federal government employs 1.84 million workers 41.9 percent of Federal employees have a bachelor's degree or higher Men comprise 55.5 percent of the Federal workforce Minorities represent 31.4 percent of the Federal workforce 6.9 percent of Federal employees have disabilities 22.4 percent of Federal employees have veterans preference 70.8 percent of Federal employees are under the General Schedule The average Federal employee ranks a 9.7 on the General Schedule

4. Why Public Service?  Numerous Federal career paths and locations  84% positions outside DC  Unparalleled career opportunities  Average Age of Federal Employee: 45.6  Great benefits and work-life balance  Service to country  You truly make a difference!

5. What mission critical occupations are projected to have a recruitment emphasis over the next few years? OCCUPATION # EMPLOYEES NEEDED 2005-06 EXAMPLES OF POSITIONS Security, Enforcement and Compliance Assistance 37,515 inspectors, investigators (including criminal), compliance officers, consumer safety officers, police officers, security/prison guards, airport screeners Medical and Public Health 25,756 physicians, nurses, pharmacists, medical technicians, nursing assistants Engineering and Sciences 23,806 professionals in engineering disciplines and biological sciences (microbiologists, botanists, foresters), physical sciences (physicists, chemists, astronomers), veterinary medical science Program Management/Administrative 17,323 program managers, analysts, administrative staff Accounting, Budget and Business 12,959 revenue agents, auditors, tax examiners, pay technicians, budget analysts Number of employees as of September 2005. http://www.ourpublicservice.org/usr_doc/FINAL_REPORT.pdf

6. Federal Compensation Package  Competitive Salary  Annual and Sick Leave  Multiple Health Insurance Options  Life Insurance  Long-term Care Insurance  Thrift Savings Plan (401K) (pre-tax $)  Flexible Spending Accounts (pre-tax $)  Public Transit Subsidy (non-taxable)

7. Typical 2006 Starting Salaries CityGS-5GS-7GS-9 Atlanta$28,999$35,922$43,939 Chicago$30,524$37,810$46,249 Dallas$29,324$36,324$44,432 New York$30,982$38,378$46,944 San Francisco$32,421$40,160$49,124 Washington, DC$29,604$36,671$44,856

8. “Government Speak” in Hiring  Job (Vacancy) Announcement  Competitive Service – Excepted Service  Job Series  KSAs  Career ladder  Hiring Certificate (‘the cert’ or ‘BQ’)  Veterans’ Preference  Career Status and Reinstatement

9. General Advice When Applying  Apply only for positions and job levels for which you already have the required experience and skills  Answer questions fully  Tailor application to document specific knowledge, skills and abilities requested  Pay attention to security clearance  Submit all documents, as requested

10. USAJOBS

11. USAJOBS cont’d Search Features  Flexible and user-friendly  Tailor your search to your specific needs: Location Agency Occupation Advanced Keyword

12. USAJOBS cont’d

22. Student Educational Employment Program Provides paid work experience while still in school Must be enrolled or accepted as a degree student in an accredited institution taking at least a ½ time course load Appointments are year round, may work full or part time Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP): Positions are for entire student career Doesn’t have to be related to academic field being pursued Eligible for annual and sick leave

23. Student Educational Employment, cont’d Student Career Experience Program (SCEP): Directly related to their academic field of study Provides formal periods of work/study while in school Requires a commitment by you, your school, and the employing Federal agency (formal contract) Eligible for annual and sick leave, retirement, TSP May be eligible for health and life insurance coverage After meeting all requirements of the program, may be non- competitively converted to career appointment

24. SCEP, cont’d Requirements for Conversion: Complete 640 hrs employment prior to degree. Recommended by employing Agency to be converted. Converted to academic related position.

25. Career Intern Program Students who have completed or will complete their Bachelor’s or Graduate degree from an accredited college or university within six months are eligible for participation May gain eligibility for conversion to a permanent Federal position at the end of a successful internship Career Interns are hired on a full-time, 2-year appointment to an excepted service position that may be extended Career Interns are paid at the current rate. Pay charts are available at www.opm.govwww.opm.gov

26. Career Interns, cont’d Eligible for vacation and sick leave, Health and Life Insurance, Federal Employees Retirement, 401K, Promotion, Public Transit Subsidy and Flexible Work Hours Interns will experience challenging opportunities that will include formal classroom and on-line training, as well as structured on-the-job developmental assignments

27. StudentJobs.gov

28. StudentJobs.gov Features Student job search Resume builder MyStudentJobs account Agency information gateway E-Scholar

29. Lists educational opportunities offered by the Federal government Cooperative education Fellowships Grants Internships Scholarships Over 350 programs valued at hundreds of millions of dollars

30. E-Scholar

32. Additional Resources FirstGov Agency Gateway www.FirstGov.gov Library of Congress Agency dictionary www.loc.gov/rr/news/fedgov.html U.S. Government Manual www.gpoaccess.gov/nara/index.html

33. Additional Resources Qualifications Standards www.opm.gov/fedclass/html/gsseries.asp Classification Standards www.opm.gov/qualifications/

34. Writing KSAs and Competencies Address the breadth and scope of your experience Be specific Dates Coursework levels Length of time Results of efforts Be accurate and truthful

35. “Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.” -Theodore Roosevelt Civil Service Commissioner 1889 - 1895 Message from the 26 th President

36. THANK YOU! Questions or Comments?