Spring 2014 Go Government Webinar Series

Spring 2014Go Government Webinar Series

The ABC’s of Finding a Job in GovernmentFebruary 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 GovernmentFebruary 20, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST

Personal BrandingThursday, March 13, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST

What to Expect from the Federal Application ProcessWednesday, 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

• Biological and Environmental Sciences

• Business and Finance

• Education

• Engineering

• Foreign Service

• Information Technology

• Legal

• Mathematics

• Medical and Public Health

• Physical Sciences

• Security and Protection

• Social Sciences

• 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

Path

ways

Pro

gram

s

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

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

Grade Qualifying Education

GS-4 Associate’s degree

GS-5 Four academic years above high school leading to a bachelor’s degree OR a bachelor’s degree

GS-7 Bachelor’s degree with one of the following:• Class standing (upper third of class)• 3.0 or higher GPA; 3.5 or higher GPA in major • Honor society membership

GS-9 Master’s degree (or equivalent)

GS-11 Doctorate degree

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 EventsGo 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?

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