FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE EMPLOYMENT
Most Federal agencies
fill their jobs basically the same way as private industry by writing
a vacancy announcement, describing the job, and requesting applications be sent
directly to the agency. Previously the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
maintained a list of applicants and required standardized written tests.
Applicants can submit a resume that looks like a traditional chronological
resume submitted in the private sector, as long you include the "compliance"
information requested in the job announcement.
The SF 171 is still
accepted by some Federal agencies. The new Federal application form
is Optional Application for Federal Employment, OF 612. In lieu of submitting an
OF 612, applicants may submit a resume. Another change is that job
seekers do not need a rating from OPM to apply for non-clerical
vacancies.
USAJOBS, the Federal Government's Employment
Information System, provides worldwide job vacancy information, employment
information fact sheets, job applications, and forms online. It has
on-line resume development and electronic transmission
capabilities. Job seekers can apply for some positions
on-line. USAJOBS is updated every business day from a database of
more than 12,000 worldwide job opportunities and is available to job seekers in
a variety of formats to ensure access for customers with differing physical and
technological capabilities. It is convenient, user friendly, accessible through
the computer or telephone, and it's available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Source: OPM Fact Sheet, "How Federal Jobs Are Filled"
There
are several pay systems covering different kinds of jobs. For example, the
General Schedule (GS) system covers most white-collar jobs and protective
occupations, such as police officers. The grade level you qualify for depends on
the relevancy of your education and experience to the job for which you are
applying.
MILITARY SPOUSE PREFERENCE
Section 806 of Public Law
99-145, Department of Defense (DoD) Authorization Act of 1986, directed DoD to
increase employment opportunities for spouses of active duty Armed Services
personnel. The spouse preference program derived from this law
applies to military spouses who relocate to accompany their sponsor on a
permanent change of station (PCS) move to an active duty location. By
giving these spouses priority in the employment selection process, Congress
hoped to reduce the impact of frequent relocations on spouse's
careers.
Military Spouse Preference (MSP) is a one-time initial
employment preference for vacant positions within the Department of Defense
(DoD).
MSP applies to positions with Appropriated Funds (AF), General
Schedule (GS), and Wage Grade/Wage Leader (WG/WL), Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF
and AAFES). It applies to positions that are anticipated to last one
year or longer.
At DoD installations in the U.S., its territories and
possessions, military spouses can exercise their statutory employment preference
through the DoD Military Spouse Preference Program (Program S), an automated
registration and referrals system that operates as a subprogram of the
Department of Defense Priority Placement Program (PPP). In foreign areas,
eligible spouses receive preference under procedures administered by local DoD
civilian personnel offices.
Spouses must meet a number of requirements
before they can register for the Military Spouse Preference Program. They must
be married to their military spouse prior to the reporting date of the sponsor's
new assignment and can apply at any human resources (personnel) office within
the commuting area of the sponsor's permanent duty location. In
addition, the spouse may register only if he or she accompanies a military
spouse who is:
- assigned by a PCS move from overseas to the U.S. or to a
different commuting area within the U.S., including the U.S. territories or
possessions;
- relocating to a new permanent duty station after completing
basic and advanced individual training;
- permanently assigned to the same
duty station where the sponsor received initial entry training;
- assigned by
PCS to a service school regardless of the duration of the training; or
- a
former military member who re-enlists and is placed directly in a permanent
assignment.
However, if spouse's sponsor is reassigned on an
unaccompanied tour with orders specifying his or her follow-on assignment, the
spouse may register for positions in the commuting area of the follow-on
assignment at any time during the sponsor's unaccompanied tour. Spouses are not
eligible for employment preference when their military sponsor relocates in
connection with retirement or separation.
REGISTRATION
ASSISTANCE: Local human resources offices serve as the registration
points for the Military Spouse Preference Program. Spouses in the U.
S. may apply for the Military Spouse Preference Program 30 days prior to the
sponsor's reporting date to the new duty station. However, spouses
traveling to overseas areas cannot receive preference until they actually
arrive. A spouse remains eligible for preference throughout the
sponsor's tour until the spouse accepts or declines a job offer that is
considered valid under DoD policy.
Spouses applying for Program S or
overseas preference must indicate whether they are interested in temporary
positions. They should also bring the following documents when they
register for preference:
(1) Application SF 171 or OF 612 or resume
(2) Copy of an SF-50 documenting current or previous federal employment (if
applicable)
(3) Copy of last performance appraisal (if the spouse currently
works for the Federal government
(4) Executive Order 12721 paperwork (if
registering for Program S after returning from an overseas area)
(5) DD 214
(Member's #4 copy)
(6) SF 15 claiming 10-point preference and letter from
the Department of Veterans Affairs dated within last year showing percentage of
disability (if applicable)
(7) Any required transcripts (This is especially
important if the spouse seeks a position as a healthcare provider
(8)
Applicable licenses or certifications
(9) PCS orders documenting spouse's
assignment. Each DoD hiring agency maintains a Civilian Personnel Office or
liaison office where listings of available career opportunities can be
obtained.
NON-APPROPRIATED FUND EMPLOYMENT
Non-appropriated fund (NAF)
employees are federal employees within the DoD or DHS (USCG) paid with
non-appropriated funds, (other civilian employees are paid with
congressionally appropriated funds). NAF positions occur in a
wide variety of areas including the Non-Commissioned Officer's Club, Officer's
Club, Recreation Services, Billeting, Financial Management Branch, Exchange
Services, etc.
The NAF Human Resources Office (HRO) maintains an
applicant supply file from which candidates are referred to fill position
vacancies. Anyone can submit an application for positions listed on
the NAF Position Listing. The HRO continues to accept applications to
maintain the applicant supply file. This does not mean that these
positions are vacant or anticipated.
EXCHANGE EMPLOYMENT
Exchange
employees are generally paid on an hourly basis. They include, but
are not limited to retail sales clerks, stockroom clerks, cashier/checkers,
secretaries, service station attendants, food service workers, cooks, waiters,
waitresses, janitors, bartenders, housekeepers, lifeguards, clerical,
administrative, and managerial positions.