The recent appointment of my youngest daughter to an SES appointment recently inspired me to write this article.
Getting a job in the Federal Government specially above the GS 12 level is a long and tedious process. It is even harder to get an SES appointment even if you are highly qualified unless you have personal/professional connection. The applicant must show patience and persistence even if they are highly qualified.
In my case, I was lucky to be hired under the Food and Drug Administration( FDA) Expedited 30-day Authorization program that was applied for the Review Chemists vacancy in 1990. In general, the time to get a federal job at the mid-entry level ( GS12-13) varies from 6 to 18 months. I got my Federal job in less than 30 days in 1990.
A Direct-Hire Authority (DHA) is an appointing (hiring) authority that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) can give to Federal agencies or establish Government-wide for specific occupational series and grades when a critical hiring need or severe shortage of candidates exists.
Here's my short story.
During my time with the FDA, I was lucky to be hired under the FDA 30-day expedited Hiring authority program, because the job opening was essential and there is a scarcity of candidates. The offer included full relocation expenses, but the process and acceptance must occur within 30-days. At that time, I was not ready to quit from Chevron Chemicals, Richmond, Ca. I needed 3 more months to complete my 5-year service with the company so I could be fully vested with the retirement benefits. However, at that time I really wanted to work for the Federal government( for stability and not for the pay), so I did not have any choice.
The first step I did was to attend a Job Fair in San Francisco after answering an ad from the Chemical & Engineering News for Review Chemists (GS 12-13). I made an appointment for a personal interview at the Fair site. Dr. Tony De Camp( RIP) was the interviewing officer who was then the Supervisor of the Division of Anti-Infective Products, Office of New Chemistry, Center of New Drugs and Evaluation Research in Maryland.
There were more than a dozen applicants waiting to be interviewed. After waiting for an hour, I had my turn with Dr. De Camp. The interview lasted only for about 15 minutes since there were other applicants in the line. As usual after the interview, I was told that he will let me know as soon as possible. I went home and waited. After one week of waiting, I got a call from Dr Murray Lumpkin, (see biography at https://semxxi.mit.edu/program/faculty/murray-lumpkin ). Dr Lumpkin was the Director of the Division of Anti-Infective Drug Products,Center for New Drugs, and was Dr De Camp supervisor. Dr Lumpkin talked to me about my qualifications and experienced on pesticide residues and environmental assessments for about 10 minutes.
A
few days later, I received an official letter offering me a job as a
Review Chemist at the GS-13 level. There were instruction where to call
for relocation expenses and other personnel matters etc... and a date
of my official acceptance of the job offer, so that the 30-day expedited
hiring process does not expire. The rest was history. I started as a GS-13 step 4 in 1990 and retired as a GS-14 step 10 in 2002. Note that my 12 years service with FDA was the most challenging, happiest and productive years of
my professional career. I felt needed and grateful from comments from
my supervisor as well as from leaders of a few pharmaceutical companies
that FDA served.
One of the greatest compliment I received was a statement from Dr De Camp telling me that one
the best decision he has done during his leadership at the Division of
Anti-Infective Drug Products was hiring me from the dozen of applicants
during the FDA Job Fair in San Francisco in 1990. This statement was
precipitated when I was able to upgrade and a get a big discount for our
group at the Marriot Hotel in San Francisco during one of the many Chemistry Conventions
and Conferences, Field Trips and Plant Orientation visits that our group attend annually.
For our life in Maryland and my 12 years with the FDA from my autobiography read:
https://davidbkatague.blogspot.com/2021/07/our-fda-years-1990-2002-for-storyworth.html
The federal government fills nearly 90,000 jobs each year — not counting the military or US Postal Service.
Many people believe applying for a federal job is a difficult and complicated process, but it is actually very achievable.
The search process for federal government jobs can last about 6-18 months, which can be lengthy for many people.
But most find it is worth the effort and the wait — federal government jobs include healthcare, vacation and sick time, life insurance, pensions, training, and other benefits.
To be successful, you must apply only for jobs for which you are truly qualified by using a targeted federal-style resume, and, of course, you must also be patient.
Federal government jobs are divided into 3 categories:
1. The Competitive Service.
This service is the largest federal service and typically what comes to mind when people think of government jobs. Jobs for this service are the focus of the process described below. https://www.federalpay.org/gs/2022
2. The Excepted Service.
This service is for positions outside the “traditional” government jobs which can include positions in the intelligence agencies or other authorized agencies.
3. The Senior Executive Service (a.k.a. “SES”)
These are the executive level of our government, just below the top Presidential appointees. This is the smallest service with only about 8,000 members nationwide. https://www.federalpay.org/ses/level-1
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is a major employer which fills jobs outside of the typical federal process. Access those jobs through USPS Careers. USPS also offers special consideration for veterans.
Not Popular because it is almost impossible to get jobs in these 2 categories are the PS(
Presidential Service/Appointments-need senate confirmation)and the ES
( Executive Service ( needs white house approval and high level
security clearance).
How Do Federal Salaries Work?
Most federal agencies use the General Schedule (GS) pay system, but note that there are other pay systems in the government as well. It can be difficult to tell where you might fit if you are unfamiliar with the various grades.
In
essence, GS grades 5 to 11 are
considered relatively entry-level level; grade 12 and 13 are mid-level;
and grades 14 and 15 are senior level. Positions in the Senior Executive
Service (SES) are at the executive level. Above the SES are the ES(
Executive Service) and the PS ( Presidential Service). ES requires White
House Approval and PS requires senate confirmation. The higher the
level, the harder it is to get qualified and hired and required
political clout and connection.
There are other two job levels above GS-15. The ST and SL positions. The most common question is:
Answer:
Scientific and professional (ST) positions include positions classified
above GS-15 that are not SES positions (i.e., do not involve executive
and management responsibilities) and are engaged in research and
development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering
sciences, or a closely related field.
Senior level (SL) positions include positions that are not SES positions and are classified above GS-15 based on other factors.
In an agency that is not covered by the SES, either an SL or an ST
position may perform duties that involve one or more of the SES
functional criteria.
Instead of focusing on the grades and trying to figure out if you’re qualified, focus on the experience required (especially the specialized experience); if you have what the job announcement is asking for, then you should apply. Let the agency Human Resources (HR) office determine whether you meet the grade requirements.
If selected, most agencies will start you are the lower end of the grade’s pay band. However, if you are offered a job, salary is negotiable but recognize that agencies have many choices of applicants so they may not be open to your counter salary offer.
On a Final Note: Some jobs required the applicants to have security clearance.
In my case, it was after 2 years that I learned my security clearance
had been granted. Later, I learned DSS had been asking my former and
current neighbors about my personal conduct etc...Here's the process.
- Applicants must go through the application phase, which involves verification of US citizenship, fingerprinting and completion of the Personnel Security Questionnaire (SF-86).
- The Defense Security Service conducts thorough background checks.
- Last is the adjudication phase, during which findings from the investigation are reviewed and evaluated based on 13 factors determined by the Department of Defense. Examples of these factors include criminal and personal conduct, substance abuse and any mental disorders. Clearance is granted or denied when this part of the process has been completed.
For complete details on security clearances for federal jobs read:
https://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/security-clearance-jobs/getting-security-clearance.html
For details an applying for a Federal job read the following site: It is a very tedious and long process, especially for jobs above the GS-12 level.
https://www.job-hunt.org/federal-job-search-process/
https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/faq/application/process/
I wish you luck and patience if you are looking for a federal job at the mid-entry or above level.
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