On October 11, 2023 I attended a webinar on how various agencies within the federal government view the application process as well as areas of greatest need. If you are interested in working for the federal government, you MUST read these notes. At the end of the notes is a comprehensive listing of websites to help you get started. As always, the Career Consultants and Peer Educators in O’Neill’s Career Hub are always willing and available to assist you with any questions you might have or the application process.
An Inside Look at Federal Government Careers
Partnership for Public Service
October 11, 2023
Hosted by:
Rachel DuBois, NYU Wagner
Yeni Simon, Partnership for Public Service
Guests:
Anne Audet
HR Director
US Department of Transportation
Kameron Mills
Outreach and Engagement Coordinator
US Environmental Protection Agency
Teliah Walker
Chief, Strategic Staffing, Planning, and Targeted Recruitment
US Department of Housing and Urban Development
Two critically important things to know!!
- USAJobs does NOT use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) when reviewing applications. A real, live person is looking at it and reviewing it.
- If a recruiter’s name is listed in the posting, it is perfectly acceptable for you to reach out to them with questions about the posting and the hiring process. You don’t want to be annoying, but, if you’ve prepared your application and you’ve done the best you can to track down the answers yourself, then it is expected that you would reach out.
The stats don’t lie.
Over two million are employed by the federal government.
The federal government is the largest employer in the US.
85% of the federal government employees work outside of Washington, DC.
50,000 federal employees work outside of the US.
7% of the federal workforce is under the age of 30. That means that 93% of the federal workforce is over the age of 30. The average age of a federal employee is increasing. Retirement numbers are spiking; 1 in 3 are approaching retirement age in the next five years. There is a great need for younger federal employees.
Advice from the guests about these specific agencies.
HUD
- Make sure you know what type of work you want to do.
- Look at the jobs that are posted.
- Critically review your resume, look at your experience and education, find where you fit.
- Use the Help Section on the USAJobs site.
- Read the posting FULLY and CAREFULLY before you begin.
- Some education can be substituted for experience.
- Be open to “foot-in-the-door” and developmental opportunities like internships and volunteer opportunities.
EPA
- Get your USAJobs profile set up NOW.
- Turn on “auto alerts.”
- Be curious and open to exploring different job postings.
- Say “yes” to unique opportunities.
- Be intentional about the kind of work you want to do and how you will be expected to do the work.
DOT
- Make sure you tailor your resume.
- You need multiple internship opportunities. Find one. Take notice that federal internships can often translate to a full-time job.
- Once you’ve found a posting/announcement, complete the application ASAP – do not wait! Waiting until the due date is risky business. The application may close based on the number of submissions. Submit EARLY.
- Focus on developing and practicing leadership skills and opportunities.
- Highlight volunteer opportunities and involvement with student organizations. This is especially important for undergraduates with little work experience.
- Avoid using acronyms. Write out the title and explain it.
- ABSOLUTE MUST: Have someone else review and edit your resume.
- Submit both the USAJobs resume and your personal resume.
Areas of Greatest Hiring Need.
DOT
- Lots of generalized positions. Many degrees would be appropriate, no specific degree requirement.
- Community Planner
- Public Affairs
- Environmental Protection Specialists
- Safety Specialists – general degrees
HUD
- Many do not require a specific degree.
- Management Analysts
- Program Analysts
- Safety Specialists
- Community Development Specialists
- Community Planners
- Housing Program Specialists
EPA
- Program Analysts
- Policy Analysts
- Environmental Protection Specialists
- Public Affairs
RESOURCES
GoGovernment and the Partnership for Public Service make it ridiculously easy to access all of the information you need to learn more about working for the federal government, how to investigate career options, how to apply for jobs, and how to prepare for a career as a federal employee.
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
Check out these resources TODAY and get started on the journey of a lifetime!
· Sign up for the GoGovernment newsletter– You’ll receive our monthly newsletter, full of resources and opportunities related to federal employment.
· Future Leaders in Public Service Internship Program– Spring 2024 applications are open August 14 – October 23, 2023. Summer 2024 applications open in September and close November 24, 2023.
· Cybersecurity Talent Initiative
· GoGovernment– Resources to navigate job opportunities in federal government- students find our Career Guides particularly helpful!
o Our newest resource, the Federal Internship Finder, is now available!
· Public Service Loan Forgiveness
· Best Place to Work in the Federal Government Rankings– You can use this to learn more about employee engagement and satisfaction by agency in the federal government.
· GoGovernment Resources for People with Disabilities
· FedsHireVets- U.S. Office of Personnel Management’s Government-wide Veterans Employment Website.
· GoGovernment Resources for Veterans
· Bureau of Indian Affairs – Indian Preference
· USAJOBS
· Federal Internships Portal– Launched in 2022, it is a a one-stop shop for prospective interns to find opportunities and apply for internships in the Federal government.
· Students & Recent Graduates– Federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs in the federal government.
· Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF)– Federal government’s premier leadership development program for advanced degree holders across all academic disciplines.
· Peace Corps– Noncompetitive eligibility information
· Peace Corps– Connect with a recruiter
