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An Official Web Site of the United States Government
Saturday, September 15, 2012

Become a PMF

Application Process

NOTE: New regulations impacting the PMF Program took effect on July 10, 2012. We will soon update the PMF website to reflect the new changes, including the application process for the PMF Class of 2013. You may want to subscribe to our PMF Listserv and monitor our News & Events section to be informed of any updates. Thank you.

Overview

Applying is only the First Step
 

Photo of men shaking hands

The PMF Program accepts applications annually, usually in the fall. When the application window opens, you will find an announcement on USAJOBS. Before you apply, however, we strongly encourage you to review the entire application process.

Applying to the Program is only the first step in becoming a PMF. After you apply, you must take an on-line assessment. If you score at a sufficiently high level on the on-line assessment, been found eligible, you will be deemed a semi-finalist and invited to the in-person assessment. Then, if you score at a sufficiently high level on the in-person assessment, you will be deemed a Finalist, and you'll be eligible to be appointed to a participating agency in a PMF position.

If you don't get the application right, you won't get to those next steps, and you'll miss this year's window. Remember, we only open the application once each year to eligible graduate students, so it's important to carefully follow the instructions below.

During the application process on USAJOBS, applicants are asked to voluntarily answer a few questions in regards to "Demographic Information on Applicants". These demographic questions are used to help the PMF Program Office plan its recruitment and outreach efforts. Answers to these questions have absolutely no impact on applicants and is strictly used for internal analysis. Applicants are encouraged to answer these questions.

USAJOBS and Application Manager

The PMF Program uses two separate online systems to process your application: USAJOBS and Application Manager. USAJOBS is where many Federal job opportunities are posted. There, you can build a resume (or upload your own) and find the posting for the PMF Program. We also use Application Manager, which as its name suggests, is the system that processes your application. You may need to create a separate user account on USAJobs and Application Manager.

If you encounter difficulty specifically with either USAJOBS or Application Manager during the application process, please send an email to pmfapplication@opm.gov. Include your name, school, contact information, and a detailed description of your issue. This email address should be used for any inquiries relating to the application, assessment, and selection process. Any such emails sent to pmf@opm.gov will be rerouted to pmfapplication@opm.gov. Because of the number of applications we receive, we ask that you not contact the PMF Program Office directly.

System and Browser Requirements

The browser requirements for the systems used during the application process appear below. Please use the recommended browsers and settings. To prevent inconsistencies and any technical problems, applicants should refrain from using other browsers not supported.

USAJOBS:

USAJOBS is compatible with all leading browsers. If you encounter any technical difficulties, please send an email to mayday@fedjobs.gov.

APPLICATION MANAGER:

You can use any of the following browser versions or higher with Application Manager (these are minimum requirements); these have been tested and are known to work:  Internet Explorer 7.x, AOL 7, Firefox 1, Mozilla 1.7, and Netscape.

If you are using Internet Explorer 9 there may be a problem not being compatible with some of the features of Application Manager.  When you get to the Application Manager website please place Internet Explorer 9 in "Compatibility Mode".  The easiest way to do this is to go to the URL line and click the button that looks like a broken piece of paper.  It is next to the two arrows that refresh the page and the red X.  You can also do this by clicking on "Tools" and then selecting "Compatibility View".

Note to Mac users: At this time, the Safari browser is not on the above list because it did not pass our tests for proper functionality. We are still working to resolve these issues so that we can add Safari to the list of supported browsers in the future.

ON-LINE ASSESSMENT:

The following system requirements must be met for the on-line assessment to display and function properly on your computer:
  • A broadband internet connection is recommended. Use of dial-up connections will affect the performance of the system and are not recommended.
  • Use of either Internet Explorer 7.0 or above, or Firefox 3.0 or above is required.
  • Interface browsers such as AOL or CompuServe are not compatible with the assessment site.
  • Make sure JavaScript and Cookies are enabled.
  • Pop-up blockers must be disabled prior to accessing the assessment site.
  • Some of the assessment may require speakers and a sound card to hear the audio portion of the assessment. NOTE: The audio portion, if any, is presented in closed-captioning.
  • Adobe Flash Player is required. You will be provided with the opportunity to download the free Flash player, if necessary.
  • If you have questions about the computer requirements or encounter technical difficulties during the on-line assessment, please contact HelpDesk@USAJOBSAssess.gov.

Contact Information

All Program communications are conducted via email. It is your responsibility to update and maintain a current email address. You may want to use a third-party email provider instead of your school email address. Should you have a name or email address change prior to becoming a Finalist, please submit it to pmfapplication@opm.gov. As a Finalist or Fellow you should utilize the Information Worksheet to submit changes to your contact information. Agency PMF Coordinators needing to update appointment information should use the "Agency System for Automated Processing (ASAP)".

Forms and Fax Cover Sheets

Document Description File Type
Resume Fax Cover Sheet for 2012 As a Class of 2012 Finalist you need to use this customized fax cover sheet (showing the 2012 Vacancy Identification Number of 519543) to update your on-line resume. NOTE:  This document is only valid for when 2012 Finalists are selected. pdf [209 KB]
Resume Fax Cover Sheet for 2011 As a Class of 2011 Finalist you need to use this customized fax cover sheet (showing the 2011 Vacancy Identification Number of PH380135) to update your on-line resume. This form is only valid through March 31, 2012, which is the appointment deadline for the PMF Class of 2011 Finalists. pdf [11 KB]
SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veterans Preference External Link Icon The SF 15 collects information, along with any supporting documentation, to determine eligibility for 10-point veterans' preference. Adobe Acrobat Version [152 KB]
BIA Form 4432, Indian Preference The BIA 4432 is used to claim and provide evidence of entitlement to Indian preference. Indian preference only applies to positions in the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Indian Health Service. If these agencies have PMF positions available and require Indian preference, they would be posted in the Projected Positions System for current Finalists. Adobe Acrobat Version [34 KB]

UPDATED: 01-23-2012, 3:20 PM (ET)