VI. Federal Hiring Authorities

The following are some examples of hiring programs which may help you compete and/or which add flexibility to the hiring process.

Veterans Employment Opportunities Act

This law allows preference eligibles and veterans who have been separated under honorable conditions from the armed forces after substantially completing 3 years of continuous active military service to apply for jobs announced to candidates outside DOL under merit promotion procedures. If you want to apply for a job in DOL under this law, submit proof with your application that you are a preference eligible or veteran, e.g., copy of DD 214.

Veterans Readjustment Act Appointment

This law allows you to be hired without competition at the GS-11 grade and below, if you qualify for the job and are an eligible veteran. Generally, you must have served on active duty for more than 180 days, any part of which occurred after August 4, 1964 (or February 28, 1961, for those who served in the Republic of Vietnam), and been separated under conditions other than dishonorable. You may be appointed within 10 years of your last discharge from active duty. This time limit doesn't apply to a veteran with a 30% or more service-connected disability. If you apply to DOL for a job under this program, submit proof of your veteran status with your application, e.g., copy of DD 214.

30% Disabled Veteran Program

If you are a veteran, you may be hired noncompetitively for any Federal position for which you qualify if you retired from active service with a disability rating of 30% or more, or were rated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) within the preceding year as having a compensable service-connected disability of 30% or more. You are initially hired for a period of between 61 days and one year, or for a period not to exceed 4 years, but an appointment under this authority can be made permanent at any time. If you apply to DOL for a job under this program, submit proof of your disability rating by the Department of Defense or the VA.

Persons with Sever Physical Disabilities

This program includes noncompetitive hiring authorities for the employment of qualified persons with disabilities. In order to be hired, you will first need the assistance of a counselor from a state vocational rehabilitation agency or a VA rehabilitation counselor. They will review the documentation necessary to determine your eligibility for the program and your ability to perform the essential functions of the position. You will be given a certification statement which must be submitted along with your application.

Presidential Management Intern Program

This 2-year internship program in the excepted service employs persons with a commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs. To be eligible for consideration, you must be a graduate student completing, or expected to complete, an advanced degree from a qualifying college or university during the current academic year. You must be nominated before you complete your course of study by your dean, academic program director, or chairperson directly to OPM. If hired, appointment is at the GS-9 level and can lead to a permanent job in the competitive service if performance is satisfactory.

Outstanding Scholar Program

A special hiring authority was created to aid the Federal government in hiring under-represented groups in certain positions at the entry grades of GS-5 and GS-7. To qualify for consideration, you must be a graduate of an accredited university with a grade point average (GPA) of 3.45 or higher on a 4.0 scale for all undergraduate course work, or have graduated in the top 10% of your class (or major university subdivision). Vacancy announcements are usually issued to fill these jobs. When you send your application, include a copy of your transcript which clearly shows that you meet academic requirements. If hired, you will need to submit an original transcript before you report to work.

Bilingual/Bicultural Program

Under this program, persons with Spanish language proficiency or knowledge of Hispanic culture may be hired in jobs which use this skill or knowledge. The jobs filled are in the same occupations, and at the same grades, as those under the Outstanding Scholar Program. However, under this program, applicants don't need to meet the GPA requirements. Again, these positions are normally filled via vacancy announcements.

Student Temporary Employment Program (STEP)

This program is available to all levels of degree-seeking students (who are accepted for enrollment or enrolled, and taking at least a half-time course load) in an accredited academic institution from high school through graduate school. The job for which you are hired need not be related to the field of study. The grade level at which you are appointed depends on the qualification requirements of the job, and your experience and academic level. Appointments are made for a period not to exceed a year, and may be extended if you remain in school on at least a half-time basis.

Student Career Experience Program (SCEP)

This program is available to all levels of degree-seeking students who meet the same enrollment criteria as the STEP (above). The program provides for formal periods of work and study while you are enrolled in school. For the SCEP, however, the work performed must be related to your course of study. The grade level depends on the same criteria as the STEP, i.e., qualification requirements, etc. Graduating students may be noncompetitively converted to a permanent appointment at any time within the 120 days after satisfactorily completing the work and academic requirements of the program.

Exhibit 1

Exhibit 2

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