Interviewing for Positions with the
Federal Government and Advice on
Promoting your Professional Career
Presented by
Doris Newtona and
Kenrett Y. Jefferson-Mooreb
aEconomist,
U.S. Department of Agriculture – Economic Research Service,
Washington, DC
bAssistant Professor, North Carolina A&T State University – Department of
Agribusiness, Applied Economics and Agriscience Education,
Greensboro, NC
Organized Symposium Presentation for the Graduate Student Section of the American Agricultural Economics
Association at the Annual Meetings of the American Agricultural Economics Association, Long Beach, CA,
July 23 – 26, 2006.
Presentation Outline
I.
Balancing School with Real World Experiences:
Interning with the Federal Government
II. Navigating through USA Jobs: Applying for
Positions with the Federal Government
III. Marketing Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Applying for Positions with the Federal Government
IV. Interviewing and Accepting the Job: Accepting the
Right Position with the Federal Government
V. Developing Professionally: Participating in
Professional Development Programs
I: Balancing School with Real World
Experiences
• Take Advantage of Summer and Academic Year Breaks
– Research Cooperatives or Internships
– Area of Interest
• Begin the Search for Opportunities
– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) or Other Federal Agencies (USA
Jobs)
– Network Opportunities (Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource
Economics, C-FARE and other professional interest groups)
– Research Presentations at Association Meetings (AAEA, AEA – ASSA,
and other meetings)
– Job Fairs (Employment Center – AAEA)
• Submit Applications before Deadlines
– Applications are generally due between February and April each year.
II. Navigating through USA Jobs
• Search Jobs (www.usajobs.gov)
– Keyword, Location, Job Category, or Salary
• Understand the Agency
– U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
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Economic Research Service (ERS)
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS)
Office of Budget & Program Analysis
Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration (GIPSA)
Rural Development
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Department of Energy
U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
U.S. Department of Human and Health Services
U.S. Department of Commerce - Bureau of Economic Analysis
II. Navigating through USA Jobs
(cont.)
• Organize Job Announcements
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Opening/Closing Date
Qualifications
Duties
Application Requirements
Required Documents
• Transcripts
– Develop a Matrix
• Who, where, what of the job announcements
• Make sure to include a follow-up/thank you section
• Electronic Resume Builder versus Paper Submission
• Develop and Submit Numerous Packets
III. Marketing Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities (KSAs)
• Understanding the Requirements for KSAs
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Professional Experience
Education
Training/Skills
Related Recognition
• Writing KSAs
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Should be written separately
Address “specifically” what is asked
Follow length and format requirements
Make sure it is easy to read and understand
Keep a file of KSA submissions
III. Marketing Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities (KSAs) (Cont.)
• Example KSAs
– U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Budget &
Program Analysis
• Economist Position (GS – 0110 – 9/12)
– KSAs MUST follow “Major Duties” of the position
advertised
– Refer to some (but not limited to) the following:
– Course work (course papers, projects)
– Knowledge of statistical packages (applications)
– Leadership/teamwork efforts
III. Marketing Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities (KSAs) (Cont.)
• KSA#1 – Knowledge of economic principles, theories,
concepts, methods, and techniques to evaluate
programmatic, regulatory, budgetary, and legislative
proposals.
• KSA#2 – Knowledge and ability to assemble and
analyze program information, facts, and other data to
identify policy and program issues, draw conclusions
based on analysis, and devise alternative solutions for
consideration by policy officials.
III. Marketing Knowledge, Skills and
Abilities (KSAs) (Cont.)
• KSA#3 – Demonstrated skill in communicating orally
and in writing in order to convey complex ideas and
concepts and provide recommendations. Describe your
interactions and exchanges of substantive information
and presentation of data and findings. Applicants may
be asked to provide writing samples.
IV. Interviewing and Accepting the
Job
• Interview
– Similar to Private Industry (Phone, one-on-one at job site, one-on-one at
location near applicant, group, behavioral)
• Understand Terms of Employment
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Citizenship
Location
Grade series (www.opm.gov)
Salary (www.opm.gov)
Locality adjustments (www.opm.gov)
Probationary periods
Promotion potential
Relocation
• Understand the Final Goal
V. Developing Professionally
• Participation in Leadership Development
Programs
– U.S. Department of Agriculture – Executive
Leadership Program
• A USDA graduate school 1-yr comprehensive
leadership development program for federal
employees
V. Developing Professionally (Cont.)
• Executive Leadership Program (GS11-13)
The Executive Leadership Program (ELP) is a 9-month
nationwide program open to individuals who have little or no
supervisory experience. ELP provides residential training,
developmental work experiences, needs assessment and career
planning, which gives participants the skills, experience and
exposure to move into positions of more responsibility.
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Executive Potential Program(GS13-14)
The Executive Potential Program is a year-long competencybased leadership program designed to develop senior-level public
service employees into more effective leaders. The Program is
based on the Office of Personnel Management.
V. Developing Professionally (Cont.)
ELP Features
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Four residential training sessions
Learning teams/team Projects
A 30-day & 60-day developmental assignment
Five leadership interviews
Three leadership book reviews
A one week shadow assignment
Conclusion
• Prepare for your future in the federal government by
– Getting involved with cooperatives and internships during
summer/academic year breaks
– Using good “how to” resources (See Resources)
– Talking to AAEA employment service
– Networking with professionals at AAEA and other meetings
– Participating in career development programs such as the U.S.
Department of Agriculture – Executive Leadership Program
Resources
Review other good “how to” resources:
“How to get a job in the Federal Government”
by Olivia Crosby
• Olivia Crosby is a contributing editor to the OOQ ,
(202) 691-5716.
Occupational Outlook Quarterly Summer 2004
Source: http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/employ/govtjob/fedjob.pdf
Questions?