How to Apply for a Federal Position

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How to Apply for a Federal Position

Below are some of the most common errors made by applicants when applying for jobs. Carefully review the vacancy announcement and follow the directions explicitly. When in doubt, call the respective HR office.

Status vs. Non-status

Vacancies are advertised as “status” and “non-status”. The distinctions are:

· Status: individuals serving under a career or career-conditional appointment, which is a “permanent” position. Permanent employees are considered “career-conditional” until they have served three years of substantially continuous, creditable service at which time they attain “career” status. Status employees do not have not-to-exceed dates.

· Non-status: individuals serving under a term or temporary appointment with a not-to-exceed date. These include Career Interns and WAE’s. A non-status candidate will be disqualified if they apply under a status vacancy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA’s)

The majority of vacancy announcements require the submission of KSA’s and each KSA must be answered individually. This is a chance for you to “sell yourself”. Share your qualifications and experiences, work and personal, that would indicate you possess the knowledge, skills and abilities for this position. Sometimes the applicant does not submit KSA’s or they are all addressed in one paragraph – neither is acceptable and will disqualify the applicant from consideration.

Multiple Locations

Sometimes one vacancy announcement covers multiple locations, such as District Conservationist vacancies in three different counties. When this occurs, we require you submit one application for each location you wish to be considered for; not indicating your location preference will cause disqualification. Again, it is your responsibility to indicate which location(s) you are applying for.

SF-50 and Performance Appraisals

Status candidates applying for a status vacancy announcement must include a copy of their latest SF-50 and Performance Appraisal. Both of these documents can be printed from EmpowHR, under “View, Personnel Actions”. Failure to submit with your application will disqualify you from competition.

College Transcripts

Most vacancies require the submission of college transcripts. They do not have to be originals, copies are usually acceptable. Ascertain you have submitted all transcripts that indicate any/all courses taken that will qualify you for the position you are applying for. Example: applying for a DC position – you have submitted your transcript with your degree indicated, but you do not submit the transcript for the soils class that qualifies you for the position; therefore, you will not be considered for the position.

Application Delivery

Applications must be received by the HR office by the close of business on the closing date of the vacancy announcement – there are no exceptions. If you mail your application, obtain a receipt from the postal service with the guarantee it will be delivered by a certain day/time. Also phone the HR office to ascertain receipt of your application several days prior to the closing date. If you hand deliver your application request a HR representative accept your application. At this time, Pennsylvania does not accept e-mailed or faxed applications.

Application Review

After the vacancy closes applications are reviewed to ascertain all required documents have been submitted. If an application package is incomplete, the applicant will be notified they are disqualified from consideration. Human Resources professionals or a panel of subject matter experts then evaluate the qualified applicants in accordance with vacancy announcement criteria. The HR professional applies veterans’ preference, ranks the qualified candidates, and creates the list(s) of best qualified candidates. The selecting official reviews the applications and makes a selection from the best qualified list. An HR practitioner extends a job offer to the selected candidate. If the candidate accepts, all other candidates are notified.

Remember, in the Federal government, a full and complete application or resume is to your benefit! Tailor it to each job for which you apply with facts about your relevant education and experience (including volunteer activities), respond to all instructions and information requested, and make sure to mail it to the correct location in accordance with closing date instructions. An incomplete application or resume often precludes an applicant from further consideration!