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Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
I was surprised we don't have one of these yet, and after the success of the Foreign Service megathread (holy poo poo, goons taking over State!) I figured it'd be a great idea for us to have a collective federal jobs thread. Please feel free to post your agency's openings here, talk poo poo about other agencies, gloat that you only work half days on Fridays, etc.

List of threads about various federal agencies, other relevant threads, etc.
(If you have one that's not listed here, please PM me and I'll add it to the OP.)
U.S. Foreign Service Megathread (Probably can post general State Department questions here too).
GIP thread on Defense Language Institute
Ex-Military Contractors thread
Peace Corps Thread
Census Workers Thread
A/T: US Military and Coast Guard Megathread
War Zone Contractor thread
Lawyers megathread
MBA's megathread
US Park Ranger megathread

Why work for the Federal Government

I could give you any number of reasons why, but to start, look around you. The job market is poo poo right now. People are terrified that they could lose their job and be unemployed in the middle of a financial crisis. Government jobs are for the most part highly stable, offer fairly regular advancement and many opportunities for lateral transfer into other agencies. You can work basically the same job for the State Department or the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, or the Department of Commerce, or the CIA, or any number of other executive agencies -- yet despite the job being the same, the overall mission you're supporting can vary widely from agency to agency.

Lets say for instance you're a lawyer, specializing in structured finance, but got hit with a layoff/didn't get a summer offer/partner hates you. You could find your answer working for the SEC, or the Justice Department's Antitrust Division, or advising US-run companies operating overseas with the Foreign Service.

Or maybe you're graduating college, that BA/BS in Political Science or Philosophy in hand, and wondering "now what?" You could be an analyst at Department of Labor, or do compliance reporting for the EPA, etc.

There's literally hundreds of thousands of jobs out there, in just about every conceivable field, not all requiring you to push paper all day. Police officers, doctors and medical specialists, truck drivers, maintenance, business CEOs and SVPs, you all have options in the federal government.

Don't I need a degree, or work experience?

No. Many jobs that wouldn't necessarily require a degree in the private sector have federal counterparts. Some jobs allow work experience to count in lieu of your education to some level. Some don't even require work experience. However, generally having a higher degree of education or work experience directly means a higher salary, and it's something you can usually find right up front.

For instance, in the Foreign Service:

quote:

Candidates with a Bachelor's degree receive one additional step for each year of professional experience. For example, a candidate with a Bachelor's degree plus five years of professional experience receives FP-6, Step 10.

Candidates without a college degree but with more than six years of professional experience receive one additional step for each year of professional experience above six years. For example, a candidate without a college degree with 11 years of professional experience receives FP-6, Step 10.

Since you can just look up the salary that particular pay grade and step earns, you can know almost exactly how much you'll be making.

Don't you get replaced every 4-8 years when a new administration comes in?
For 99% of you, no. Most people working in the government are career hires. You're doing a job that has very little to do with the particulars of the current or future administration. Your senior staff and bosses might come and go, but if you're one of those people getting appointed, you don't need this thread anyway.

What are the benefits of working for the Federal Government

Welp, there are lots of them. The biggest for most people is job security. The second biggest is generally good working hours - most jobs are not going to have you working 60+ hours a week. Even in more intense jobs like staff attorney positions, you're still working less than your private sector counterparts are making.

Others:
*Regular pay adjustments for things like COLA.
*Generally, a steady rate of pay raises that you can count on.
*If you hate your job/boss/gerbil, it's not that hard to transfer around, or simply apply at a different agency.
*You're probably working in D.C.
*Many jobs send you to conferences, training, seminars, etc.
*Lots of good networking.
*Metrocard.
*Thrift Savings Plan is a pretty drat good version of a matching 401K.
*Health Insurance
*Retirement and Pension benefits.
*Most jobs give you a good amount of leave, even beyond the required minimums. Many jobs require they offer you the chance to take flexible work arrangements.
*In some ways, your employer is significantly restricted in treating you like poo poo, and there are lots of ways to complain and take action about it if they are. Not that it never happens, but it's not like the private sector where if your boss doesn't like your red shirt, he can just fire you on the spot.
*Disclaimer: In the Trump administration, all bets are off. There's no getting around it. Many of the traditional safeguards are being eroded or ignored at all levels. Understand very clearly what you're getting into.

But doesn't the pay suck? I could make more in the private sector.
The pay IS less than the private sector for some jobs (especially high earning ones), no getting around it. But for many people, it's not bad, and for some jobs, it averages MORE.

*Federal employees earn higher average salaries than private-sector workers in more 80% of occupations, one study showed.

*"Accountants, nurses, chemists, surveyors, cooks, clerks and janitors are among the wide range of jobs that get paid more on average in the federal government than in the private sector." - USA Today.

*Overall, federal workers earned an average salary of $67,691 in 2008 for occupations that exist both in government and the private sector, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The average pay for the same mix of jobs in the private sector was $60,046 in 2008, the most recent data available.

*These salary figures do not include the value of health, pension and other benefits, which averaged $40,785 per federal employee in 2008 vs. $9,882 per private worker, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

On top of that, how many hours are your private sector buddies working to make that money? A typical 40 hour work week, times 50 weeks a year (excluding holidays) is 2000 hours a year. The average associate at a major law firm could expect to BILL (not just at work, but active billing) 2000-2200 a year, and including time not spent bill probably ends up working closer to 2600-2800 a year. They're working 10-12 hour days or longer, while you're already at home, cracking open a cold one, or being goony and playing WoW or something.

What kind of jobs are there?

Just about anything you can think of. Everything from Architecture to Veterinary Medicine (I was going for something with a Z, but I have no idea what jobs start with a Z.)


How does this GS/FP/FS whatever pay-grade system work?

http://www.fedjobs.com/pay/pay.html

Basically, there are 15 grades. Each grade has 10 steps. Generally GS-1 to GS-7 are "entry level", GS-7 to GS-12 are "mid-level" and GS-12+ requires significant longtime experience, or some serious doctoral degrees.

The grade is usually determined by your job title/responsibilities, and many jobs will tell you what the maximum grade for that job is. Within that, you'll go up by steps every year (or two, at higher levels).

So roughly speaking, an increase in grade is sort of similar to getting a promotion at work, while an increase in step is simply a raise for working long/doing a good job.

Some jobs don't follow the GS (General Schedule). The Foreign Service uses their own pay schedule, which starts with FP or FS, and has 9 "classes" (like grades, except 1 is the highest) and 14 steps per grade, and there are lots of ways to jump immediately to step 14 in your grade.The military has their own pay schedule based on ranks. There is some table that converts Military and Foreign Service grades to GS, but it's stupid, you can view it here and scroll down a bit.

How do find/apply for these jobs?
There's a few ways. The first is to use USA Jobs, which is the official job search site. The second is to know people who can get you an interview. The latter is far preferable, and once you're in, that's the easiest way to move around. A few Excepted Service jobs have their own direct hiring -- see below section.

Also, if you have a security clearance, there are some sites like ClearedJobs and such.

Finally, the government does a lot of job fair hiring expos. After 3 years of living in DC, I am thoroughly sick of hearing that the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency is hiring, or that there is such and such Washington Post job fair going on with hundreds of federal employers. Go to these, wear a suit, bring resumes.

What is the difference between Competitive Service positions and Excepted Service positions?

Most jobs are Competitive Service, which basically means the opposite of what it sounds: the job falls under the jurisdiction of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), and is subject to the federal civil service rules and regulations on hiring. These are intended to give all applicants fair and equal opportunity to get the jobs.

Excepted Service positions are those that are specifically excluded from Competitive Service. Whether because of the type of work, or the agency's mission, they don't need to follow the same guidelines and can make up whatever hiring criteria or tests they want. All lawyer positions are excepted service, as are things like the CIA, FBI, and most jobs in the legislative and judicial branches.

There's also the Senior Executive Service, which probably applies to none of us here, but basically is for the equivalents of CEOs and Executive Directors.

What is competitive status

It is NOT the same thing as Competitive Service -- that refers to the position. Competitive Status refers to you, as an employee. It's something you can obtain after having worked past a probationary period in civil service, that basically allows you to bypass some of the open competition when changing jobs. If you have this, you probably know about it already, it doesn't apply to me so I can't say much about it.

Do I need a Security Clearance? How does that work?

Some jobs do -- the description will say. If you already have one, great. If not and you get hired (or more likely, a conditional offer of employment pending your clearance), you'll apply for one.

I did X crime and have Y drugs, can I still get hired or get a security clearance?
This is job dependent. Some agencies like DOJ have stricter rules than, say, library of congress. If your job requires a security clearance, you may be denied the clearance. They REALLY do not like it if you lie on your clearance application, that will gently caress you over right good (and is a felony). Coming clean on your applications often will still get you the clearance granted.

For examples of some security clearances that were adjudicated by DoD in various situations over the years, and the reasons why, check this site out.

Some examples:

quote:

Between 2001 and 2006, the police arrested and charged Applicant with driving while impaired on four occasions. After his 2006 arrest and subsequent trial, the court found him guilty and sentenced him to one year in jail. The police also arrested Applicant on numerous occasions for driving while his driver's license was revoked and on a tinted windows violation. After completing a Chapter 13 wager-earner's repayment plan, Applicant incurred additional debts, which are resolved. Applicant intentionally falsified his answers on his e-QIP regarding his criminal conduct, his finances, and substance abuse treatment. Applicant has mitigated the government's security concerns regarding his finances and criminal conduct, but he has not mitigated the government's security concerns regarding his personal conduct. Clearance is denied.

--

Applicant accumulated seven separate debts totaling $27,102. These debts arose following a divorce, taking on debts of his second wife, costs associated with a cross-country move for a job that fell through, and significant periods of unemployment. Applicant sought Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection on debts owned and is current on his payments to the trustee. Applicant mitigated falsification concerns having demonstrated that incorrect responses provided on his security clearance application were not intentional. Clearance is granted.

--

The Applicant is a 55 year old scientist, working for an aerospace company. His last act of questionable Personal Conduct and related Criminal Conduct, wilful falsification, occurred nearly ten years ago. The Applicant has since been consistently candid with the Government. Sufficient rehabilitation has been shown. Clearance is granted.

--
Applicant is 51 years old and employed as a Computer Network Administrator by a defense contractor. Applicant's long history of marijuana abuse, from 1978 to 2003, during his military career and beyond, while holding a security clearance; and his intentional falsifications on his security clearance application in 2007, concerning his illegal drug involvement, has not been mitigated by sufficient evidence of reform and rehabilitation. Clearance is denied.

--
Applicant failed to advise his employer and the Government that his wife maintains two pornography websites, which include hardcore pornography. This decision places him in a position to be exploited, coerced or forced to provide classified information. He has not mitigated the government's security concerns. Clearance is denied.


Yep, these are the people you are working with/competing against.

Do I get preference for being a veteran?

Hell yes. It's awesome. There are two levels, called "5 point" and "10 point" preferences.

Basically, 5 point applies if you were on active duty during war time, or if you deployed to war as a reservist. It's a little more complicated than that, so if you think you might qualify, check this out: http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp

10 point preference almost exclusively applies to disabled vets.

The terms 5 and 10 point don't necessarily refer to how many points you'll get on your hiring; for instance for the Foreign Service, a 5 point preference equates to 0.175 points on the hiring register (in comparison most languages are worth 0.17). So make sure you find out what your agency uses for preference.


What goons do we have that work in the federal government?

-- way too many to list, I stopped maintaining the thread.

Leif. fucked around with this message at 18:48 on Nov 4, 2018

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Vashro
May 12, 2004

Proud owner of Lazy Lion #46
This is a good thread. I've actually got some interest in a government position if I cannot find a job designing.

How much can one's criminal record affect your chances of landing a government job?

As an example, I've got a misdemeanor for possession (weed) and a minor. Would I be out of the race?

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
Depends on the job and the crime. For some things it can be a denial of suitability or a denial of a clearance; for others they're willing to overlook it.

Misdemeanors for possession of marijuana or other poo poo, especially if you've kept your record clean since and you disclose it during the background investigation process, often get overlooked. But if you lie about it and they catch you, you're in deep poo poo (in addition to having committed a felony.)

It also depends on the job. DOJ will take a much stricter stance on this than say National Archives or the Smithsonian Institute.

Don't let it stop you from applying though. Worst case scenario, you're back where you started; best case scenario you've got a job.

Konstantin
Jun 20, 2005
And the Lord said, "Look, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.
Be prepared for a very long wait time, I applied for a Federal job in February, interviewed in June, and am still in the system, with the HR people telling me it will take at least another three months for the background check and medical to clear (after an hour and a half hold time before someone answered at their helpdesk.) I know it will be worth it at the end, but don't expect it to be like the private sector where you get a decision fairly quickly. I hear that for some agencies, the processing time between your initial contact and hiring can be as much as 18 months.

Suntory BOSS
Apr 17, 2006

USAJobs needs a 'stay logged in' option and a better search function. I'm tired of searching for jobs in Country X and half of the results are Countries Y, Z and Nebraska.

Handsome Ralph
Sep 3, 2004

Oh boy, posting!
That's where I'm a Viking!


Suntory BOSS posted:

USAJobs needs a 'stay logged in' option and a better search function. I'm tired of searching for jobs in Country X and half of the results are Countries Y, Z and Nebraska.

This. This times a loving thousand.

I'd also appreciate it if Obamas new guidelines on hiring came into effect sooner than later.

Konstantin posted:

Be prepared for a very long wait time, I applied for a Federal job in February, interviewed in June, and am still in the system, with the HR people telling me it will take at least another three months for the background check and medical to clear (after an hour and a half hold time before someone answered at their helpdesk.) I know it will be worth it at the end, but don't expect it to be like the private sector where you get a decision fairly quickly. I hear that for some agencies, the processing time between your initial contact and hiring can be as much as 18 months.

Apparently Obamas guidelines address this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/11/AR2010051104357.html
I applied for a DoT Analyst position in December. I completely forgot about it till I got an email last week telling me the position had been filled and thanking me for my time. :suicide:


Question for anyone with Geospatial Intelligence Agency experience. I applied for the hiring event they are holding in August. Supposedly they are going to call people for interviews and such sometime this month to see if they are good to go for next months event. My boss at FEMA told me that apparently of all of the intelligence agencies, this one hires quite a bit and is much easier to get in at entry level. Any truth to this or was he blowing smoke up my rear end?

Handsome Ralph fucked around with this message at 15:48 on Jul 5, 2010

Zoo
Oct 24, 2004

I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system. The universe is indifferent.

Boondock Saint posted:

My boss at FEMA told me that apparently of all of the intelligence agencies, this one hires quite a bit and is much easier to get in at entry level. Any truth to this or was he blowing smoke up my rear end?

It's true they're hiring a lot right now and a job fair is a good way to get in. If it's an invite-only fair, though, then don't expect to be interviewed at the fair if you aren't called (but there's still time).

GreenCard78
Apr 25, 2005

It's all in the game, yo.
I don't ever plan on being an engineer with a top secret clearance, but I would some day like to work for HUD or another government agency. At age 18 I was arrested in DC with 12 ounces of weed (way before I ever thought I could do something with my life) and got an intent to distribute charge. It was actually a misdemeanor, DC is pretty chill as long as you're nonviolent. I also never got convicted, probation before judgement. Everything was taken off my record, no conviction, no arrest. Does anyone have any idea if I'm screwed on getting a federal job that's not in a mail room or mopping the floors?

Ramms+ein
Nov 11, 2003
Henshin-a-go-go, baby!

Boondock Saint posted:

This. This times a loving thousand.

I'd also appreciate it if Obamas new guidelines on hiring came into effect sooner than later.


Apparently Obamas guidelines address this.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/05/11/AR2010051104357.html
I applied for a DoT Analyst position in December. I completely forgot about it till I got an email last week telling me the position had been filled and thanking me for my time. :suicide:


Question for anyone with Geospatial Intelligence Agency experience. I applied for the hiring event they are holding in August. Supposedly they are going to call people for interviews and such sometime this month to see if they are good to go for next months event. My boss at FEMA told me that apparently of all of the intelligence agencies, this one hires quite a bit and is much easier to get in at entry level. Any truth to this or was he blowing smoke up my rear end?

I went to an invite only job fair in St. Louis for a Geospatial Analyst position. I have zero relevant work experience but I do speak Arabic and I had a govt. scholarship so I think that's the main reason I got invited. The interview was a disaster, they didn't have a copy of my resume so they knew nothing about me, it quickly went downhill after that but I remember most of the questions they asked me if you want me to tell you. I had a chance to talk to one other person in the 5 minutes before they called me in and we was interviewing for an Imagery Analyst position and had a background in Political Science. It seems kind of arbitrary how they determine which position you'll interview for and they'll tell you that if you get the invitation.

If you are filling out an application and there are multiple choice questions or KSAs, pick they best option regardless and try and think of any experience in your life that could possibly be relevant to that. Be creative and think outside the box. If you answer honestly about your experience you will never make it past the initial stage.

Half of the time, a posting on USA is already filled and they have an internal candidate but are required by law to make a job posting.

Secret Machine
Jun 20, 2005

What the Hell?

Sorry, but I've applied on and off for the last few years trying to get a job in the forest service (USDA). So far, I've only gotten one seasonal intern position out in Colorado. I called up the same national forest looking for employment and found out I JUST missed two openings in visitor information, both full time, one was a manager position.

I just think USAJOBS and AvueCentral is just a loving crap shoot. You need to know someone in the system, ESPECIALLY if you're applying to a department that everyone wants a job in. Sorry, I'm slightly bitter.

Sylink
Apr 17, 2004

gently caress USAJobs and their contact info. It is always some HR oval office who knows nothing and refuses to tell you anything. Their hiring system is rear end and is completely nepotistic. Don't waste your time unless you know someone or have some crazy credentials.

I've literally called tens of numbers on USAjobs to only be told to look at the vacancy listing with no feedback on whether I would even be a good fit/have a chance.

gently caress you HR.

Handsome Ralph
Sep 3, 2004

Oh boy, posting!
That's where I'm a Viking!


Zoo posted:

It's true they're hiring a lot right now and a job fair is a good way to get in. If it's an invite-only fair, though, then don't expect to be interviewed at the fair if you aren't called (but there's still time).

Yeah they closed the posting on the 18th and said they would call sometime afterwords for interviews for the fair. It was invite only so I'm hoping that they'll call sometime in the next few weeks with the holiday weekend and all. Considering the fair isn't till August 14/15, I've got time.

Seriously, I hate how the 4th of July/end of the second quarter causes everyone to shut down their hiring stuff for the last two weeks of June and they basically start calling again after the holiday weekend. :argh:

Ramms+ein posted:

I went to an invite only job fair in St. Louis for a Geospatial Analyst position...

Yeah I wouldn't mind a heads up on what I may be asked. Feel free to PM me or shoot me an email.

Smegma Enigma
Mar 7, 2006

[T-2:25] Overwhelming sense of well-being and euphoria
I'm graduating in August and have been trolling USAjobs for like 2 months. Despite what people are saying above, I've actually had some decent leads although I've applied to like 30 jobs. Of course, I'm still waiting to schedule an actual interview, but you know. I'll be following this thread.

Nutella
Jun 27, 2005

"And the meek shall inherit the earth"
I've worked for the Social Security Administration for 21 years (yeah, get off my lawn). There are a couple other goons on here that work for them as well that are much younger and may have a different perspective. SSA does a lot of hiring thru USAJOBS and job fairs. If you are a social person, like rules and regulations and love to hear people's life stories or blatant lies, then SSA is the agency for you. Also, depending on what part of the country you live in there's a great need for certain language abilities. If you want creativity in a job though, SSA is not the agency for you. Feel free to ask me about SSA.

prussian advisor
Jan 15, 2007

The day you see a camera come into our courtroom, its going to roll over my dead body.

Nutella posted:

I've worked for the Social Security Administration for 21 years (yeah, get off my lawn). There are a couple other goons on here that work for them as well that are much younger and may have a different perspective. SSA does a lot of hiring thru USAJOBS and job fairs. If you are a social person, like rules and regulations and love to hear people's life stories or blatant lies, then SSA is the agency for you. Also, depending on what part of the country you live in there's a great need for certain language abilities. If you want creativity in a job though, SSA is not the agency for you. Feel free to ask me about SSA.

What exactly was your job there? Also, did you know anyone in the Office of the General Counsel or who was an attorney with ODAR?

Omits-Bagels
Feb 13, 2001
I have a year (well, like 10 months now) of noncompetitive status from being in the AmeriCorps. The bad part is that I'm moving to Madison, WI and there are hardly any govt. jobs there. Such a waste.

But, this USAjobs site/hiring process is a drat mess. I search by location and then after I apply for a position it tells me that there are no jobs in that location.

Flay Minion
Sep 23, 2004

hepme
A US Park Ranger Thread

There's also another grade out there: "WG" -- A WG/4 is about the same as a GS/7 -- $20ish an hour. Mostly a maintenance worker/trades category, the WG classification would be a good place to look if you come from a construction background.

Sylink
Apr 17, 2004

Smegma Enigma posted:

I'm graduating in August and have been trolling USAjobs for like 2 months. Despite what people are saying above, I've actually had some decent leads although I've applied to like 30 jobs. Of course, I'm still waiting to schedule an actual interview, but you know. I'll be following this thread.

What will happen is you will sporadically get emails saying they have decided you did not meet their qualifications in 9-12 months. These emails will not clearly tell you what position you were even not considered for long after you have forgotten about the job.

Enjoy.

GhostShirtSociety
Jun 6, 2009

Television. Doesn't it make you want to kick things?
I think there was a thread around here that linked to a site which publicly listed real past reasons people had security clearances denied. It's apparently public domain. Most were boring, some were hilarious. I don't know where it is or what the link was but maybe some goon with better bookmarks than I can find it.

Gin and Juche
Apr 3, 2008

The Highest Judge of Paradise
Shiki Eiki
YAMAXANADU
Oh god how I hate USAjobs. And the entire hiring process for the government. But damned if I don't keep trying. Gonna watch this thread closely.

What can be a good career to start out as and to look for if you plan on sticking with an agency? Is it possible to start as an office assistant or a janitor and work your way up from there?

Edit: Any particular way or method for filling out the KSAs? Should I keep it brief and concise if I can or try to fill it out and hit as many keywords as possible?

Edit Edit: And if I don't have even one of the KSAs involving really specialized experience should I not apply at all, or should I try to do a brief reading on the subject and read more on the subject if I ever get a response?

Gin and Juche fucked around with this message at 22:41 on Jul 5, 2010

Handsome Ralph
Sep 3, 2004

Oh boy, posting!
That's where I'm a Viking!


Gravel Gravy posted:

Oh god how I hate USAjobs. And the entire hiring process for the government. But damned if I don't keep trying. Gonna watch this thread closely.

What can be a good career to start out as and to look for if you plan on sticking with an agency? Is it possible to start as an office assistant or a janitor and work your way up from there?

Yes, although I do believe you have to work for a year before you gain preference.

My former boss was a DEA SAC and from what she told me, half her agents started out doing either low key clerical work or janitorial work. After a year passed by, they had Federal Preference, applied for agent positions and were brought on after going through agent school in Georgia.


spcefrk posted:

I think there was a thread around here that linked to a site which publicly listed real past reasons people had security clearances denied. It's apparently public domain. Most were boring, some were hilarious. I don't know where it is or what the link was but maybe some goon with better bookmarks than I can find it.

http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/doha/industrial/

99 CENTS AMIGO
Jul 22, 2007
How necessary is it to work in DC for most of these positions?

I'm rather loathe to relocate, which will probably screw me entirely for employment, but I'm rather attached in many ways to New York City and would like to know what kind of federal job presence I'd be likely to find here.

Pompous Rhombus
Mar 11, 2007

Boondock Saint posted:

Yes, although I do believe you have to work for a year before you gain preference.

My former boss was a DEA SAC and from what she told me, half her agents started out doing either low key clerical work or janitorial work. After a year passed by, they had Federal Preference, applied for agent positions and were brought on after going through agent school in Georgia.


http://www.dod.gov/dodgc/doha/industrial/

Do you have any tips on applying preference? I've got a Schedule A hiring exemption but I can't really figure out how to make anything out of it. Wasn't good enough to get me a DoS intern gig, at any rate :smith:

speransky
Jul 29, 2006

AV-IN to AV-OUT
AV-OUT to AV-IN


Nutella posted:

I've worked for the Social Security Administration for 21 years (yeah, get off my lawn). There are a couple other goons on here that work for them as well that are much younger and may have a different perspective. SSA does a lot of hiring thru USAJOBS and job fairs. If you are a social person, like rules and regulations and love to hear people's life stories or blatant lies, then SSA is the agency for you. Also, depending on what part of the country you live in there's a great need for certain language abilities. If you want creativity in a job though, SSA is not the agency for you. Feel free to ask me about SSA.

I work as an examiner for a state DDS and I'm interested in moving over to SSA. Any advice?

Handsome Ralph
Sep 3, 2004

Oh boy, posting!
That's where I'm a Viking!


Pompous Rhombus posted:

Do you have any tips on applying preference? I've got a Schedule A hiring exemption but I can't really figure out how to make anything out of it. Wasn't good enough to get me a DoS intern gig, at any rate :smith:

I don't unfortunately :smith: I was just a lowly intern and now I'm patiently bidding my time in the DC area till I can find a decent job and hopefully one day move on to government work.

Ugly In The Morning
Jul 1, 2010
Pillbug

spcefrk posted:

I think there was a thread around here that linked to a site which publicly listed real past reasons people had security clearances denied. It's apparently public domain. Most were boring, some were hilarious. I don't know where it is or what the link was but maybe some goon with better bookmarks than I can find it.

I'm pretty sure this is the thread you're talking about, but you need archives to see it (hence the "pretty sure"):
http://forums.somethingawful.com/showthread.php?threadid=3268847&userid=0&perpage=40&pagenumber=1
Edit: Is it common to have to deal with several other services on top of USAJobs? One job I've applied for put me through to Avue, which they're now telling me to mostly disregard, because everything else will be done over the phone with the agency's own HR department.

Ugly In The Morning fucked around with this message at 01:25 on Jul 6, 2010

Gomegoth
Oct 8, 2009
How big of an advantage do ex-military/veterans have in competing for government jobs, if any? Do they have something like competitive status? I'm not actually in the military, but its something I'm seriously considering doing after I get out of college.

Pompous Rhombus
Mar 11, 2007

Gomegoth posted:

How big of an advantage do ex-military/veterans have in competing for government jobs, if any? Do they have something like competitive status? I'm not actually in the military, but its something I'm seriously considering doing after I get out of college.

Veteran's preference, a big leg up on KSA's and stuff (I guess this depends on what you do in the military and what you're applying for in the government, but there's a lot of potential there), and often a security clearance. The level of clearance will depend on what you do in the military; a grunt might only have a Secret or something, but other ratings (intel, working on/with classified tech, etc) would come with a higher clearance like a TS or TS/SCI.

It's a huge advantage, in short. I was looking into the AF a few weeks ago but the hiring prospects for non-rated officers looked pretty grim, they're downsizing atm.

Flay Minion
Sep 23, 2004

hepme

Pompous Rhombus posted:

Veteran's preference, a big leg up on KSA's and stuff (I guess this depends on what you do in the military and what you're applying for in the government, but there's a lot of potential there), and often a security clearance. The level of clearance will depend on what you do in the military; a grunt might only have a Secret or something, but other ratings (intel, working on/with classified tech, etc) would come with a higher clearance like a TS or TS/SCI.

It's a huge advantage, in short. I was looking into the AF a few weeks ago but the hiring prospects for non-rated officers looked pretty grim, they're downsizing atm.

Not so much in the clearance department. You still will be re-vetted; however, there *are* good preferences for vets, especially disabled ones: here is the point preference scale.

Bohemienne
May 15, 2007
It is worth noting that some agencies do not post or rarely post openings on USAJobs, so if there's a specific agency/area you're interested in, you'd always do well to check that agency's website too. Just off the top of my head, I know that FBI, NSA, CIA, and DIA work this way.

marsisol
Mar 30, 2010
Hey everyone! Im working for the USGS in Oregon right now under the DOI..feel free to ask some questions!

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
:siren:If you guys want me to add you to the OP, just say so in the thread (not going to add people who don't explicitly ask for it) with your position and agency.:siren:


Gomegoth posted:

How big of an advantage do ex-military/veterans have in competing for government jobs, if any? Do they have something like competitive status? I'm not actually in the military, but its something I'm seriously considering doing after I get out of college.
Huge advantage. There's two kinds of preference you can get -- what's called "5 point" and "10 point" preference. 99% of vets will get a 5 point preference.

5 point preference applies to vets who served:

quote:

During a war; or
During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or
During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or
In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference.

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.

See http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp for more details.

10 point preference is basically exclusively for disabled veterans (and with limited cases, their spouses).

Gonna put this in the OP.

Leif.
Mar 27, 2005

Son of the Defender
Formerly Diplomaticus/SWATJester
For me, on the Foreign Service hiring register, my vet preference is the only reason I'm even capable of actually getting a job.

Basically, we have a hiring register, with a minimum cut-off score of your Oral Assessment of 5.3; then they add in your language bonus points and vet preference. Well, anyone with a language is getting 0.17 points and anyone with the critical languages is getting 0.4 points.

My vet preference is 0.175 points, which means that with my score, I have a 5.675 instead of just a 5.5. Since the hiring calls are going down into the 5.7 or 5.67 range, basically, I wouldn't be getting called without that veterans preference.

-e- Foreign service is dumb; basically I need an above-minimum score AND my preference to get hired as a political FSO, but as a management FSO I would only need the bare minimum score to be competitive.

marsisol
Mar 30, 2010

SWATJester posted:

:siren:If you guys want me to add you to the OP, just say so in the thread (not going to add people who don't explicitly ask for it) with your position and agency.:siren:

Huge advantage. There's two kinds of preference you can get -- what's called "5 point" and "10 point" preference. 99% of vets will get a 5 point preference.

5 point preference applies to vets who served:


See http://opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp for more details.

10 point preference is basically exclusively for disabled veterans (and with limited cases, their spouses).

Gonna put this in the OP.

You can add me.....USGS- soil scientist

Nessus
Dec 22, 2003

After a Speaker vote, you may be entitled to a valuable coupon or voucher!



Can you give some advice on how to write the KSAs? I tried looking at them while I was getting out of undergrad years and I just was like "Hm, so I'm supposed to write about how I did the job I'm applying for and provide details."

Nutella
Jun 27, 2005

"And the meek shall inherit the earth"

prussian advisor posted:

What exactly was your job there? Also, did you know anyone in the Office of the General Counsel or who was an attorney with ODAR?

My official job title is Social Insurance Specialist-Technical Expert. I am a lead employee for the Title 2 program which includes retirement, disability, survivors and Medicare benefits. I work in a field office (aka your local Social Security Office) so I only deal with OGC when working on cases that need a legal opinion and only with ODAR on a case by case basis.

*OP you can add me SSA-Technical Expert*

TheMadMilkman
Dec 10, 2007

IRS Goon here. Go ahead and add me to the OP.

prussian advisor
Jan 15, 2007

The day you see a camera come into our courtroom, its going to roll over my dead body.

Nutella posted:

My official job title is Social Insurance Specialist-Technical Expert. I am a lead employee for the Title 2 program which includes retirement, disability, survivors and Medicare benefits. I work in a field office (aka your local Social Security Office) so I only deal with OGC when working on cases that need a legal opinion and only with ODAR on a case by case basis.

*OP you can add me SSA-Technical Expert*

So how did you wind up with this job in the first place, exactly? What sort of qualifications, educational, experiential, or otherwise, did it take on your part to get the job? Please share your Federal Employment Success Story :)

Also, has anyone in this thread been through/participated in/know people who've done the Presidential Management Fellowship program?

Skandiaavity
Apr 20, 2005
Sweet thread, SWATJester.

I'm on the private side, but I get whoredloaned out to a variety of agencies. Can provide input on working with you guys from the other side...

Also, what's the success rate on straight up applying for USAJobs? I heard on the floor that it's really low, and most of the employment comes from former contractors, people who know people, (i.e. like every private company). Confirm/deny?

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Grand Fromage
Jan 30, 2006

L-l-look at you bar-bartender, a-a pa-pathetic creature of meat and bone, un-underestimating my l-l-liver's ability to metab-meTABolize t-toxins. How can you p-poison a perfect, immortal alcohOLIC?


What are good agencies to look at for research/analyst jobs? I got the obvious ones: State, DoD, DIA, CIA, NSA. So far I haven't gotten any responses so I'm looking for more to try.

Edit: And I'll second the question about government jobs in NYC, I'd much rather live there than DC if I can manage it.

Grand Fromage fucked around with this message at 18:12 on Jul 6, 2010

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