| Q: How can I find Agricultural Research Service (ARS) job openings? |
| A: You can find ARS vacancy announcements from the ARS Careers website: http://www.ars.usda.gov
Vacancy announcements are posted in three categories:
- Scientists and Engineers – includes vacancy announcements for all managerial, research, and support scientist positions requiring a scientific background in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. U.S. citizenship is required.
- Postdoctoral Research Associates – includes temporary (usually up to 2 years in duration) postdoctoral research associate positions for Ph.D. graduates in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. Preference is given to candidates whose degree has been received within the last 4 years. Citizenship restrictions apply.
- Administrative, Technical, Clerical and Trades – includes vacancy announcements for all administrative, technical, clerical, trades and science research technician positions. U.S. citizenship is required.
You can also find ARS vacancy announcements through the Office of Personnel Management’s USAJOBS website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov |
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| Q: Can you notify me of vacancies as they open in ARS? |
| A: To stay informed of new ARS jobs posted, you can sign up to receive a weekly “ARS Jobs” e-mail from the ARS Careers website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Careers/docs.htm?docid=1358
You can also sign up for an account through the Office of Personnel Management’s USAJOBS website where you establish a profile and receive a daily message with new jobs that match your profile. Learn more at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov
Use the tab marked “My USAJOBS” and follow the instructions to sign up. |
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| Q: How can I find out about student and summer employment opportunities? |
| A: ARS hires students in various roles throughout the organization during the school year and each summer.
Information on ARS student and summer programs can be found at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/docs.htm?docid=1438
To learn about opportunities in a specific state in ARS, you will need to contact the person listed for each state. Contact information can be found at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/doc.htm?docid=1345
To learn about student employment in other Federal agencies, visit the StudentJobs.gov website: http://www.studentjobs.gov |
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| Q: How can I find jobs in other USDA agencies? |
| A: To find current job openings in other USDA agencies visit: http://jobsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/a9ag.asp |
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| Q: How can I find jobs in other Federal agencies? |
| A: To learn about jobs in other Federal agencies, use the USAJOBS website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov |
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| Q: How are Federal jobs filled? |
| A: Information on how Federal jobs are filled can be found on the following website: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI55.asp |
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| Q: What are the Qualification Requirements for Federal jobs? |
| A: Information on Qualification Requirements can be found at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI27.asp
In addition, each vacancy announcement will include information on minimum and position-specific qualifications. |
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| Q: How can I determine what jobs my college major will help me qualify for? |
| A: Information on Federal Jobs by College Major can be found at: http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/EI23.asp |
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| Q: Applying for Federal jobs seems so confusing, where do I start? |
| A: The first step in the process is to identify positions that are of interest to you and where your experience and education meet the qualification requirements. You should begin your search for jobs by conducting research on different types of occupations in the Federal government and reviewing the descriptions of the jobs and qualification requirements listed in the vacancy announcements. Once you identify the types of positions that you are interested in, you should begin preparing and submitting your application package following the instructions provided in each vacancy announcement.
To assist you in completing your application, an Applicant Guide can be viewed from the ARS Careers website. This document includes a variety of information that explains the application process as well as a sample Federal resume. View the Applicant Guide here. |
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| Q: I’m getting my degree in a few months, when can I start applying for Federal jobs? |
| A: Applications can be accepted from students who expect to complete qualifying education within 9 months from the date of application. However, agencies must verify that the education was completed successfully before the applicant can be appointed. |
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| Q: Where can I find application forms? |
| A: To apply for Federal positions, you can submit a completed résumé, curriculum vitae, or an Application for Federal Employment - Optional Form (OF) 612 - along with other documents requested in each vacancy announcement.
You can download the OF-612, as well as other employment forms used in the application process at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/Careers/docs.htm?docid=1348
The SF-171, Application for Federal Employment, is no longer available. If you still have one available and wish to use it, you may. |
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| Q: How do I submit my application for ARS jobs? |
A: You may submit your completed résumé, curriculum vitae, or OF-612, along with any other required documents by:
- Mail – to the address specified in the vacancy announcement
- E-mail – to scirecruit@ars.usda.gov
- Fax – to 301-504-1535
Follow the procedures outlined in each announcement for required documents to submit, and follow up by mail with any documents you cannot send via e-mail (for example, transcripts). Be sure to include the announcement number on all documents being submitted so that the application can be processed properly.
To apply for positions in other Federal agencies, follow the procedures outlined in each vacancy announcement. |
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| Q: Do I need to submit my transcripts? |
| A: If you are using education to qualify for positions or if certain coursework is required by the vacancy, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. You can submit an unofficial copy of your transcript; however, you will be required to submit an official transcript at the time of appointment, if selected. |
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| Q: How can I verify if my application has been received or check on the status of my application? |
| A: When applying for specific jobs, you should print and save a copy of each vacancy announcement. In the announcement there will be a person in the Human Resources Division listed as the “Contact.” To find out if your application was received you should call the “Contact” person.
This person can also answer questions you have about the job and give you the status of the recruitment efforts. |
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| Q: Can you keep my application on file for future openings? |
| A: Individual applications must be submitted for all vacancies for which you wish to be considered. ARS does not maintain applicant files for future use. |
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| Q: Is the selecting official (or hiring manager) obligated to interview all of the best-qualified candidates? |
| A: No, a selecting official is free to decide who should or should not be interviewed. You should keep this in mind as you prepare your application for positions. The first impression is made based on your application – selling yourself short or submitting an application that is not neat or clear in terms of your experience and/or education may impact the decision to interview you or not. |
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| Q: What are the citizenship requirements for Federal employment? |
| A: The Federal government gives strong priority to hiring United States citizens and nationals, but non-citizens may be hired in certain circumstances. Agencies considering non-citizens for Federal employment in the competitive service must follow usual selection procedures and meet the requirements of all three of the following: immigration law; an appropriations act ban on paying certain non-citizens; and an executive order restriction on appointing no citizens in the competitive service. In addition, agencies are responsible for applying any citizenship requirements that may appear in their individual agency’s authorization and appropriation laws.
To learn more about citizenship requirements visit the Office of Personnel Management website: http://www.opm.gov/employ/html/non_cit.asp |
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| Q: What are Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)? |
| A: KSAs are the requirements needed to perform a job and are demonstrated through qualifying experience, education, or training. KSAs are listed in the “Qualification Requirements” section of ARS vacancy announcements.
To learn more about KSAs, visit the website: http://ars.usda.gov/Careers/docs.htm?docid=1361 |
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| Q: Can I get a sample resume that would be appropriate for use when applying for Federal jobs? |
| A: A sample resume for Federal employment, as well as other useful information can be found in the “Applicant Guide” on the ARS Careers website here. |
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| Q: I’m a military veteran, where can I find information about employment benefits for veterans? |
| A: The VetGuide explains the special rights and privileges that veterans enjoy in Federal civil service employment. The guide conveniently summarizes in one place material from many laws and regulations that affect the employment of veterans. For a copy of the guide, call (202)606-0830, or access the guide on-line at: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp |
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| Q: How can I find information regarding previous employment I had with ARS? |
| A: Contact the Human Resources Division, Quality Control and Records Management staff by phone on 301-504-1434. |
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| Q: Who do I contact to verify employment of an ARS employee? |
| A: For employment verification, call 301-504-1372. |
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