Civil Service Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a civil service employee do?
There are many Civil Service career possibilities with the U.S. Agency for International Development. No matter which one you choose, you'll be able to make a difference in the world while contributing to the mission of supporting the foreign policy of the United States of America. Civil service employees remain at the core of USAID/Washington staff and are the prime element in providing shape and forward momentum to meet the needs of carrying out programs overseas. CS employees perform inherently governmental functions and are the essential link between strategic interest and the program content and style selected to achieve that interest. There are a number of other important unique values that CS brings to his or her position. Among these are greater responsibility for accountability and oversight; more comprehension of, and better responsiveness to, Agency guidance and direction; corporate memory; and the knowledge, experience and "weight" to work effectively with other USG agencies.
2. What are the basic qualifications needed for employment?
For direct hire GS career employment, the minimum requirements are U.S. citizenship and age 16. Minimum qualifications vary according to the position and are specified in the vacancy announcement.
3. Are non-citizens eligible for Federal employment?
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals may compete for competitive jobs. Agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens only when there are no qualified citizens available. A non-citizen may only be given an excepted appointment and may not be promoted or reassigned to another position in the competitive service, except in situations where a qualified citizen is not available. The non-citizen may be hired only if permitted by the appropriations act and immigration law.
4. Does a green card or permanent resident qualify me as a U.S. citizen?
No, it does not. You must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application for or appointment to a direct hire position. However, non-citizens may be employed as contractors in our overseas missions. You must apply directly to the missions since they know their staffing needs, and budget levels, and have contracting authority. To apply for a position, please follow instructions as described within the vacancy announcement and visit http://www.usaid.gov/careers/missions.html to learn more about non-citizens at USAID.
5. How can I find out about USAID's job opportunities?
Click here to find out!
http://www.usaid.gov/careers/gscover.html
6. What is the Federal payment scale (GS)?
GS stands for General Schedule. This is the pay system under which most Federal employees fall. There are also Wage Grade (WG) and Senior Executive Service (SES) pay schedules. For the current pay schedule, visit http://opm.gov/oca/05tables/indexGS.asp
7. What are the benefits of being a Civil Service Employee at USAID?
Health Benefit Plans
Choice of extensive array of Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans, with costs shared by the Government. Employees are eligible to enroll in a wide variety of health insurance plans, including fee-for-service plans and health maintenance organizations. The employee's portion is paid through payroll deductions. For more information on Federal Employment Health Benefits Plans visit
http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/index.asp
Thrift Savings Plan (equivalents to 401(K) with Government matching)
Civil Service Employees may participate in the Thrift Savings Plan; a long-term savings and investment program for federal employees designed to provide retirement income.
For more information on the Thrift Savings Plan, visit http://www.opm.gov/benefits/correction/faq/Thrift.htm
Life Insurance
The Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) plan offers low rates that are paid through payroll deductions. The U.S. Government pays one-third of the cost of this insurance. Participation in the FEGLI plan is voluntary. The plan is intended as a form of immediate protection against financial hardship or loss in the event of death. It is not offered as a form of term life insurance with a cash value, such as might be purchased through private insurance agents. For more information on Life Insurance, visit http://www.opm.gov/insure/life
Long Term Care Insurance
Long Term Care Insurance is offered and carries into your retirement. For more information on Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP), visit
http://www.opm.gov/insure/ltc/index.asp
Annual Leave
Vacation/Personal Leave; maximum ceiling or limitation of accrual is 30 days per leave year.
- 4 hours per pay period or 13 days per leave year for less than 3 years of federal service
- 6 hours per pay period or 20 days per leave year after 3 years of federal service but less than 15 years
- 8 hours per pay period or 26 days per leave year after 15 years of federal service
For more information on Annual Leave visit
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/annual.asp
Sick Leave
Accrued at a rate of 4 hours per pay period, 13 days per leave year. For more information on sick leave, visit
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/sicklv.asp
Family Medical Leave
The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) of 1993 provides Federal employees with an entitlement of up to 12 workweeks of unpaid leave during any 12-month period for the following purposes:
- The birth of a son or daughter of the employee and the care of the newborn
- The placement of a child with an employee for adoption or foster care
- The care of a child, spouse or parent of the employee with a serious health condition
- A serious health condition of the employee that makes an employee unable to perform the major functions of the job
For more information on The Family and Medical Leave Act, visit
http://www.opm.gov/oca/leave/html/sicklv.asp
Ten Paid Holidays Per Year
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King's Birthday
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
(In addition to the above holidays, the U.S. Government also observes some local holidays celebrated at overseas posts of assignment).
Unique U.S. Agency for International Development Work Life and Family Friendly Programs
Convenient Employee Services
Including an on-site Credit Union and various bank ATMs, fitness facility, U.S. Post Office, barber/beauty shops, dry cleaner and gift/card shops.
Employee Consultation Service
Staffed by licensed clinical social workers to provide counseling and referrals for personal and family concerns.
Flexible Work Hours, Alternative Work Schedules, Telecommuting and Job Sharing
Varies from office to office.
Information
A counseling, education and referral service to help employees manage personal and professional responsibilities (e.g., adoption, adult care).
MetroChek Transit Subsidy
The Federal Government provides transportation benefits to qualified Federal employees to encourage the use of mass transportation domestically to conserve energy, improve air quality and reduce traffic congestion on U.S. roads and highways. The MetroChek Transit Benefit program helps defray the cost of traveling to and from work. The benefit is based on actual commuting costs and, as of January 2005, cannot exceed $105 per month.
We Also Offer
- Employee Recognition through our Incentive Awards Program
- Extensive Training Opportunities
- Flexible Work Hours (alternative work schedules)
- Managerial and Leadership Development
- Periodic Performance-Based Pay Adjustments (within grade/step increases)
- Shuttle Bus Service
- Telework
- Workers' Compensation Coverage for work-related injuries/conditions
8. What are the steps to becoming a Civil Service Employee?
Identify the Job You Want
You must apply to a specific vacancy announcement, which may be used to fill a single vacancy or multiple vacancies over a period of time. Visit http://www.usaid.gov/careers/gscover.html for current vacancies.
Review the Vacancy Announcement
From the list of vacancies, click on an individual job title that interests you. The vacancy announcement provides information on specific duties, qualification requirements, ranking factors and application forms and procedures. Complete copies of the vacancy announcement can be printed from http://www.usaid.gov/careers/gscover.html .
Carefully Follow the Application Instructions
Required application materials and instructions regarding application must be submitted according to the application procedures in the vacancy announcement. It is essential that you follow the "How to Apply" instructions in the vacancy announcement to which you are applying.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated on the quality and extent of your experience, education, and training relevant to the duties of this position. The evaluation will be based on information you provide in your on-line resume, your answers to the vacancy specific questions for the announcement, and a review of the documents that are requested as part of the announcement.
Interview for the Job
The names and applications of the highest-ranking candidates are referred to the supervisor or selecting official. Selection procedures are subject to Federal Civil Service laws, which ensure that all applicants receive fair and equal treatment in the hiring process.
Undergo a Background Investigation
All Civil Service positions in the U.S. Agency for International Development require at least a secret security clearance. The clearance process considers such factors as registration for the Selective Service; failure to repay a U.S. government-guaranteed student loan; past problems with credit or bankruptcy; failure to meet tax obligations; unsatisfactory employment records; violations of the law, drug or alcohol abuse; or less-than-honorable discharge from the armed forces. Investigations, which usually take two to four months, include current and previous neighbors, supervisors and coworkers. Depending on the nature of the job, you may begin work on a provisional basis, pending completion of the clearance process.
9. How can I find out more about the qualification requirements of a position?
Each vacancy announcement summarizes the qualification requirements for the position being announced. If for some reason these requirements are not stated on the announcement, contact the appropriate human resources office for further information before applying. Qualification requirements are discussed in general below.
Qualification Requirements for General Schedule (GS) Jobs
Depending on the grade level and type of position, either general or specialized experience will be required. Some positions may also require specific experience and/or education. General experience does not necessarily have to be directly related to the job to be filled; however, it must demonstrate that the employee has the ability to perform the work of the position. Specialized experience must be closely related to the work to be performed in the job for which you are applying. At least one year of the specialized experience must have been comparable to work at the next lower grade in the Federal service.
Some occupational series cover a wide variety of work, and therefore, the qualifying specialized experience will vary from one position to another in the same series. Many other occupations like Human Resources Specialist and Budget Analyst do not require a college education. You may qualify for entry into these occupations with either specialized experience or with a degree in any major.
If you have an advanced degree, you can qualify for GS-9 positions on the basis of a master's degree, and for GS-11 on the basis of a doctorate. At these levels, however, the advanced degree must be directly related to the work of the job to be filled. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) publishes qualification standards for all General Schedule positions in the Qualification Standards Operating Manual.http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/index.asp
10. How can I obtain proof of prior Federal employment?
You can obtain proof of prior Federal employment by writing or calling the Federal Records Center, National Archives and Records Administration, 111 Winnebago Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63118, 314-538-5761. Inquiries should include your full name under which formerly employed, social security number, date of birth, and to the extent known, names and addresses of former Federal agencies, and dates of employment. http://www.archives.gov/index.html
11. What is the mailing address and hours of operations for your agency?
The official mailing address is:
U.S. Agency for International Development
Office of Human Resources
Personnel Operations Division
Room 2.08, RRB
Washington, D.C. 20523-2808
For hand delivery or appointments, the building address is:
The Ronald Reagan Building
1300 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W.
Washington D.C.
(Federal Triangle Metro Stop)
Our hours of operation are 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Please refer to the specific open vacancies for more information regarding qualifications of each program.
Back to Top ^
|
RSS Feed for USAID Vacancy Announcements
