Navigating USAJOBS to Obtain a Career in
the Federal Government
Kim L. Scarborough, M.B.A.
Human Capital Management
Office of Human Resources
Department of Health and Human Services
Office of the Secretary
Agenda/Points of Discussion
• How to maneuver on USAJobs.gov- the gateway to all
government opportunities
• Updates on hiring practices within the Federal
Government for students
• Effective search tools & tips- what to do and what not
to do
USAJobs.gov
Updates
• No more KSA (knowledge/skills/abilities) narratives-
Hooray!
• Accelerated Hiring Process (AHP) is helping cut average
hiring times from 179 days to 80 days
• Recent updates to USAJobs.gov will help to secure top
talent in the long run
• More user friendly- less unnecessary questions
• More relevant search results will “float” to the top,
giving the user better ability to sort with filters
• Data mining will help the Office of Human Resources
(OHR) and hiring managers to see more of your
qualifications & credentials
USAJobs.gov
The New Pathways Program
Executive Order 13562:
“Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates”
•
•
•
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Signed by President Obama on December 27, 2010.
Establishes the Pathways Programs consisting of three
excepted-service components:
I. Interns
II. Recent Graduates
III. Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program
Programs are tailored to recruit, hire, develop, and retain
students and recent graduates
Establishes newly created Schedule D appointing authority, 5
CFR 213.3402(a),(b), and (c) of the excepted-service
USAJobs.gov
The New Pathways Program
I. INTERNS
•
Combines the Student Temporary Employment Program
(STEP) and the Student Career Experience Program
(SCEP)
•
Paid opportunities
•
If accepted into the program, eligibility for conversion*
to the competitive service requires:
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Completion of 640 government work hours
Completion of ALL educational requirements
A Favorable recommendation
Meeting any other minimum qualifications
* Conversion is NOT mandatory or guaranteed
USAJobs.gov
The New Pathways Program
II. RECENT GRADUATES
•
Designed for recent graduates (Certificate or Associates
through Advanced Degree)
•
Application Process:
• Non-Veterans-must apply within 2 years of
completion of degree
• Veterans-must apply within 6 years of completion of
degree
•
One-year, career development program
* Conversion is NOT mandatory or guaranteed
USAJobs.gov
The New Pathways Program
III. PRESIDENTIAL MANAGEMENT FELLOWS (PMF)
•
Federal government’s premier Leadership Development
program for advanced degree candidates (i.e. masters,
law and/or doctoral students)
•
Two-year fellowship program
* Conversion is NOT mandatory or guaranteed
USAJobs.gov
Effectively Navigating USAJobs
USAJobs.gov
Create a New Account and/or Update Your Profile
USAJobs.gov
Create your tailored resume using
USAJobs Resume Builder
• Ensure that status is listed as SEARCHABLE
• Include EVERYTHING- including volunteer or community
service work (e.g. Student Government, campus
organizations, peer counseling, etc.)
USAJobs.gov
USAJobs.gov
Save Your Documents to USAJobs
• Upload transcripts and any other relevant documentation
(i.e. recommendation letters, awards etc.) to USAJobs.gov
• Some faxes are not coming through!  Scan all
documents to yourself first, and then upload to
USAJobs.gov
USAJobs.gov
USAJobs.gov
College Majors and Equivalent
Occupational Series (sampling)
Major/Area of Concentration
Series
Interdisciplinary Scientist
(1301)
Consumer Safety Officer (0696)
Science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry,
Physics)
Chemist (1320)
Microbiologist (0401 or 0403)
Food Technologist (1382)
USAJobs.gov
College Majors and Equivalent
Occupational Series (sampling)
Major/Area of Concentration
Series
Management Analyst or
Program Analyst (0343)
Business Management,
Economics, Marketing
Budget Analyst (0560)
Financial Analyst (1160)
Contract Specialist (1102)
USAJobs.gov
College Majors and Equivalent
Occupational Series (sampling)
Major/Area of Concentration
Series
Health Communications
Specialist (GS-1001)
Public Health, Social
Work, Sociology
Public Health Advisor or
Public Health Analyst
(GS-0685)
Health Insurance Specialist
(GS-0107)
Public Health Service Officer
(Commission Corp)
USAJobs.gov
Examples of Popular Hiring Occupational Series
within the Federal Government:
(Not a complete listing)
NON-COMMISSION CORP
COMMISSION CORP
• Contract Specialist
• Health Insurance Specialist
• Chemist
• Consumer Safety Officer
• Management and Program Analyst
• Nurse
• Medical Officer
• Physicians
• Dentists
• Engineers
• Environmental Health Officer
USAJobs.gov
Applying for Positions with the Commission Corp
http://www.usphs.gov/apply/apply.aspx
USAJobs.gov
ALWAYS…
• Cast a wide net (i.e. search by multiple occupational series,
various search terms, locations if possible)
• Create saved searches on USAJobs.gov and check your email
regularly for the search results
• Consistently check on USAJobs.gov
• Finish every application- even if you aren’t sure if you are a fit
• Read every single word of the Minimum Qualifications
• Complete the application in a timely manner- don’t wait until
the closing date
USAJobs.gov
ALWAYS…
• Consider the Federal Employment Volunteer Service
• Be sure to include any and all relevant attachments at the
same time you are completing the application (i.e.
transcripts, letters of recommendation)
• Stay encouraged and be patient! The process does not
happen overnight
• Accelerated Hiring Process was implemented in 2010,
this process shortened the original hiring timeline from
179 days to approximately 80 days
USAJobs.gov
DON’T…
• Search by salary only!
• Search by grade/GS level only!
• Rule out applying to a job outside of your current
work/living area because you are “not ready to
move yet”
• Rule out applying to Temporary or Volunteer Service
positions
• Limit your search to one agency
• Be deterred by a challenging online application
system (i.e. AVUE)- persevere!
USAJobs.gov
Keep Back-up
• Save all communications you receive
• Call to verify receipt of application
• Maintain a tracking sheet of all applications submitted
• Print a hard copy of all application materials
Always Follow-up
• Call the agency to get status updates
• Ask the HR Specialist why you did not make the
certificate
USAJobs.gov
Other Helpful Resources
Video links:
Training Sessions Navigating New Version of USAJOBS.gov
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIx5LZXVOJc
Reviewing Vacancy Announcements
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25sOb2yF26Y
Search term: HHS USAJOBS
Kim L. Scarborough, M.B.A.
Office of Human Resources
Department of Health and Human Services
Human Capital Management
Program Manager
[email protected]
Phone number: 301.443.0333