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Navigating the Federal Hiring Process for Internships. Brian Lawler Diversity Employment Specialist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region Brian_Lawler@fws.gov or 503-736-4789. Agenda. Section #1: The Federal Government ’ s Pathways Programs. Internship Program.
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Navigating the Federal Hiring Process for Internships Brian Lawler Diversity Employment Specialist U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Pacific Region Brian_Lawler@fws.gov or 503-736-4789
Internship Program • Designed for students from high school to graduate level • Provides these students with paid opportunities to work and explore federal careers while still in school • Replaces former student programs (STEP & SCEP) • Each Intern must sign a Participant Agreement that sets forth the expectations for the internship • Successful completion may lead to conversion to a permanent or term job in the civil service
Recent Graduate Program • Provides developmental opportunities for applicants who have completed a qualifying education program within the preceding two years • Applicants must applywithin two years of degree or certificate completion • Veterans precluded due to military service obligation will have up to six years after degree completion to apply • Anyone who graduated between 12/27/10 to 7/10/12, eligibility period starts two years from 7/10/12 to apply
Presidential Management Fellows Program Premier leadership development program administered by OPM for graduate and professional degree candidates • Applicants can self-nominate • Successful completion of the program can lead to conversion into a permanent or term position with the Federal government
Work Schedules • Interns may work full or part-time schedules as best meets their needs and the needs of the agency • During periods of non-work, Interns may be placed in Leave Without Pay status • Intern NTEs may have their end dates extended in one year increments, as long as they continue to meet Pathways’ eligibility requirements • If the Intern’s work schedule changes, a new Participant Agreement is not required (note changes by pen & ink or written attachment to PA) • Recent Graduates and PMFs must work full-time schedules unless otherwise authorized by OPM
Section #2: The Federally Formatted Resume • Complete your resume on either the www.usajobs.gov website or uploaded as a .pdf or.doc file • No underlines, bullets, bolding, italics, special characters – just the basics • Match your experience to the position duties • Focus on your accomplishments and match them to the job your applying for
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities • Read the job announcement carefully • Link your experience and each KSA • Credit your entire range of experiences • Elaborate on skills and responsibilities outlined in your resume • Include examples • Focus on any outcomes
Example of a Poor Response My communication skills are excellent. I am often asked to help out in this regard and have been commended for my work.
Example of a Better Response In the past 10 months, I have taken over a number of writing assignments previously held by my supervisor: • I have been drafting monthly reports on leasing activities under the purview of our office. These are routinely approved by my supervisor without change and are circulated to 10 field offices and Regional Directors. • I have assumed the responsibility of reporter for the quarterly meeting of the bureau’s Research Directors. Reports of these meetings are reviewed by the Director’s Office prior to distribution to all participants. • In January, I completed the course, “Writing Analytical Reports,” offered through the National Independent Study Center. This was a six-month course involving 24 hours of training and covering such areas as: planning an analytical report; collecting and analyzing data; identifying possible solutions to problems addressed in the report; and organizing, writing, and editing the report. In addition, while I was a student in college I developed and was recognized for my strong written communication skills in a variety of capacities: • After my junior year, I was selected for a summer internship with my state representative, for whom I drafted constituent correspondence and press releases. Though I was an intern, the majority of the letters and press releases I wrote were sent out without modification. • During my senior year, I served as the chapter president of my honor society, and routinely wrote progress reports to send to the headquarters of the honor society. • Throughout college I was a staff writer for the student daily newspaper. As a reporter I wrote both short news stories as well as in-depth feature articles on a weekly basis, and was selected for the feature writing award by the editorial board my junior year.
Section #3: Job Search Public Notice Requirements • All Pathways Internship and Recent Graduates opportunities are required to be publicly posted on www.USAJobs.gov • Applicants will need to apply and compete for all Pathways jobs through www.USAJobs.gov
Hot Tip! • Create a job search • Save your results (maximum of 10) • Click the ‘notify me daily’ button! Let’s see what an advanced search looks like…
Title Search: “Budget” USAjobs.gov Advanced Search Location: Oregon - Portland Grade: GS-5 to GS-12 Agency: DOI
Click “Federal Employees” for Schedule “A” Jobs! Save Your Searches and the system will notify you when jobs appear
By selecting “Federal Employees” you will see all of those positions advertised for “special hiring authorities” such as: • Persons with disabilities (also known as a Schedule “A” Appointment) • Returning Peace Corps volunteers • Veterans eligible under the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA) • 30% or more service-connected disabled Veterans
Sample Assessment Questionnaire A- I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task. B- I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not performed it on the job. C- I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. D- I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. E- I am considered an expert in performing this task; or I have supervised performance of this task or am normally an individual who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Instructions on Answering Questions • For each task listed below, select the statement from A through E that best describes your level of experience, education, and/or training. Select only one letter for each task. • Do no over-state or under-state your experience, education and/or training. • Your responses must be supported by your resume. • You may need to provide detailed explanations of how your past work experience is related to these tasks.
Skill in utilizing and maintaining a financial database and spreadsheet software Prepare narrative and statistical budgetary forms, schedules and reports. • A - I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task. • B - I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not performed it on the job. • C - I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. • D - I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. • E - I am considered an expert in performing this task; or I have supervised performance of this task or am normally an individual who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
Ability to communicate financial data in writing Use an automated database to prepare data summaries for inclusion on reports on budget formulation. • A - I have not had education, training, or experience in performing this task. • B - I have had education or training in how to perform this task, but have not performed it on the job. • C - I have performed this task on the job. My work on this task was monitored closely by a supervisor or senior employee to ensure compliance with proper procedures. • D - I have performed this task as a regular part of a job. I have performed it independently and normally without review by a supervisor or senior employee. • E - I am considered an expert in performing this task; or I have supervised performance of this task or am normally an individual who is consulted by other workers to assist them in doing this task because of my expertise.
