Kim L. Scarborough, M.B.A. Human Capital Management

Office of Human Resources

Department of Health and Human Services

Office of the Secretary

Navigating USAJOBS to Obtain a Career in the Federal Government

• 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

Agenda/Points of Discussion

USAJobs.gov

• 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

Updates

USAJobs.gov

Executive Order 13562: “Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates”

• 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

The New Pathways Program

USAJobs.gov

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:

• 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

The New Pathways Program

USAJobs.gov

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

The New Pathways Program

USAJobs.gov

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

The New Pathways Program

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

Major/Area of Concentration Series

Science (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

Interdisciplinary Scientist (1301)

Consumer Safety Officer (0696)

Chemist (1320)

Microbiologist (0401 or 0403)

Food Technologist (1382)

College Majors and Equivalent Occupational Series (sampling)

USAJobs.gov

Major/Area of Concentration Series

Business Management, Economics, Marketing

Management Analyst or Program Analyst (0343)

Budget Analyst (0560)

Financial Analyst (1160)

Contract Specialist (1102)

College Majors and Equivalent Occupational Series (sampling)

USAJobs.gov

Major/Area of Concentration Series

Public Health, Social Work, Sociology

Health Communications Specialist (GS-1001)

Public Health Advisor or

Public Health Analyst (GS-0685)

Health Insurance Specialist

(GS-0107)

Public Health Service Officer (Commission Corp)

College Majors and Equivalent Occupational Series (sampling)

USAJobs.gov

Examples of Popular Hiring Occupational Series within the Federal Government:

(Not a complete listing)

NON-COMMISSION CORP

• Contract Specialist • Health Insurance Specialist • Chemist • Consumer Safety Officer • Management and Program Analyst • Nurse • Medical Officer

USAJobs.gov

COMMISSION CORP

• Physicians • Dentists • Engineers • Environmental Health Officer

Applying for Positions with the Commission Corp

USAJobs.gov

http://www.usphs.gov/apply/apply.aspx

• 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

ALWAYS…

USAJobs.gov

USAJobs.gov

• 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

ALWAYS…

• 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!

DON’T…

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

USAJobs.gov

Kim L. Scarborough, M.B.A.

Office of Human Resources

Department of Health and Human Services

Human Capital Management

Program Manager

Kim.Scarborough@hhs.gov

Phone number: 301.443.0333