Spring 2014
Go Government
Webinar Series
The ABC’s of Finding a Job in Government
February 20, 2014
Housekeeping
•
We will open up the phone lines for
questions at the end of the call. In the
meantime, we encourage you to type your
questions into the Q&A box.
•
Handouts are available for download
•
The recording of today’s presentation will be
sent to all registrants in 2-3 business days.
Presenters
Katie D’Hondt
• Associate Manager, Education and
Outreach
Caleb Campbell
• Program Associate, Education and
Outreach
Partnership for Public Service
The Partnership is a
nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization that is dedicated
to revitalizing the federal
government by inspiring a
new generation to serve and
by transforming the way
government works.
Spring 2014 Go Government
Series
The ABC’s of Finding a Job in Government
February 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST
Personal Branding
Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST
What to Expect from the Federal Application Process
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST
To learn more about our programs, visit www.calltoserve.org.
Agenda
• Why Federal Government?
• Finding the Right Fit
• Navigating USAJOBS.gov
• Resources
Why Federal Government?
• Make an impact in a big way!
• Great benefits
• Work/life balance: flexible schedules and vacation
• Possible student loan repayment assistance
• Complete health and retirement benefits package
• High levels of responsibility
• Valuable work experience
• Training and professional development
Real Federal Employees
Straight from the Source
Alitza Vega
• Deputy Human Capital Officer
• Human Capital Office of the Science and
Technology Directorate
• Department of Homeland Security
Understanding the Structure
of the Executive Branch
Finding Your Fit
• By Location
• By Career
• By Agency
• By Position
Finding Your Fit: By Location
Finding Your Fit: By Career
• Administrative and
Program Management
• Art and Design
• Information Technology
• Legal
• Mathematics
• Biological and
Environmental Sciences
• Medical and Public Health
• Business and Finance
• Physical Sciences
• Education
• Security and Protection
• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Foreign Service
• Transportation
Finding Your Fit: By Agency
Finding Your Fit: By Position
Finding Your Fit: By Position
Presidential
Management Fellows
Program
Recent Graduates
Program
Internship Program
Federal Pay and Benefits
General Schedule (GS) is the pay scale for most federal
jobs
• Grades 1-15
•
10 steps within each grade
• Locality Pay - pay varies by geographic location
• Some occupations have separate scales (i.e. IT,
engineering)
• Move up several grades within a few years
•
For example: GS-7, Step 1: $33,979/Step 10: $44,176
Federal Pay and Benefits:
The General Schedule
Grade
Qualifying Education
City
GS-5
GS-7
GS-9
GS-4
Associate’s degree
GS-11
Los Angeles
$34,881
$43,208
$52,852
$63,945to a
GS-5
Four academic
years
above high
school leading
bachelor’s degree OR a bachelor’s degree
Philadelphia
$61,245
$33,408 $41,383 $50,620
GS-7
Bachelor’s degree with one of the following:
Seattle • Class
$33,414
$50,628
standing$41,390
(upper third
of class) $61,255
• 3.0 or higher GPA; 3.5 or higher GPA in major
New York
$64,729
$35,309 $43,738 $53,500
• Honor society membership
Washington,
D.C. $34,075
$51,630
GS-9
Master’s
degree (or$42,209
equivalent)
GS-11
Doctorate degree
$62,467
Federal Pay and Benefits:
Locality Pay
City
GS-5
GS-7
GS-9
GS-11
Los Angeles
$34,881
$43,208
$52,852
$63,945
Philadelphia
$33,408
$41,383
$50,620
$61,245
Seattle
$33,414
$41,390
$50,628
$61,255
New York
$35,309
$43,738
$53,500
$64,729
Washington, D.C.
$34,075
$42,209
$51,630
$62,467
Searching for Positions
• USAJOBS.gov
• Agency websites
• Career development centers
• Career fairs
• Social media
• Personal networks
Navigating USAJOBS.gov
Navigating USAJOBS.gov
USAJOBS.gov Top Tips
USAJOBS.gov Top Tips
Reading a Job Announcement
Critical Components: Review these carefully!
• Qualifications
• Overview
• How to Apply
Unpacking a Job
Announcement
Unpacking a Job
Announcement
Preparing to Apply
USAJOBS.gov Top Tips:
Summary
• Use key search terms
• Refine your search by location, position and agency
• Save your searches to save time!
• Review the job announcement carefully
Resource: GoGovernment.org
Resource: GoGovernment.org
Resource:
Bestplacestowork.org
Resource: Individual Agency
Websites and Social Media
Resource: USA.gov
Resource: USAJOBS.gov
Resource: USAJOBS.gov
Resource: USAJOBS.gov
Spring 2014 Upcoming Events
Go Government Webinar: Personal Branding
Thursday, March 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST
Go Government Webinar: What to Expect from the Federal
Application Process
Wednesday, April 16, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST
To learn more about our programs, visit www.calltoserve.org.
Questions?
OURPUBLICSERVICE.ORG