Glossary

Career and career-conditional employee - Permanent employees are generally hired into the federal government under a career-conditional appointment. A career-conditional employee must complete three years of substantially continuous service before becoming a full career employee. The promotion from career-conditional to career employee occurs automatically after the three years.

Curriculum vitae (CV) - A summary of one's education, professional history, and job qualifications, as for a prospective employer.  Curriculum vitae is sometimes used as a different name for a résumé.

Competitive civil service - Most federal government civil service jobs fall under the competitive civil service category.  Positions are filled through a fair, open, and merit-based process, unless excepted by statute, Executive Order, or Office of Personnel Management (OPM) action.

Declaration for Federal Employment - This form, provided during the application process or before employment begins, documents a candidate's fulfillment of the two requirements for federal employment: United States citizenship and, for men born after 31 December 1959, compliance with United States Selective Service registration.

Employment Assistance Offices - Offices located on installations that provide service members, civilians, and their family members with job search preparation and assistance.

Federal résumé - Although there is no mandated form, some vacancy postings will refer to a federal résumé.  It is simply a résumé that contains all of the information required to apply for a federal job, including personal information, education history, work experience, and job-related skills and training.

Form C (OPM form 1203) - An optical scan form on which applicants mark answers to employment questionnaires if required for the application process.  Some agencies have applicants answer these questions on-line.

General Service (GS) pay - The general pay scale system for white-collar jobs in the federal government.  Positions are identified by GS level, ranging from GS-1 to GS-15.

Headhunter/ Recruiter - A person within a staffing firm who is responsible for identifying and screening/evaluating qualified candidates for an open position within a client business.  The headhunter/recruiter generally works closely with the hiring firm to determine which candidates are best suited for any open positions.  The term "headhunter" is a colloquial term for recruiters, employment agencies, or executive search firms that broker human resources.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) - Most federal job postings ask applicants to write a short supplemental essay describing specific skills and experiences that match those desired for the position.

Military Spouse Preference (Program S) - A program developed by DoD to allow employment preference to be given to spouses of active duty service members.  To qualify for military spouse preference, spouses must be identified as one of the best-qualified candidates for the job.

Nonappropriated Funds (NAF) - These funds are generated through the purchase of goods and services at military installations.  NAF activities may include the bowling alley, the exchange, the base theater, recreation, library, etc. NAF employment typically refers to those jobs funded by NAF resources.  Jobs range from entry level clerks to senior level management positions.  NAF human services also offer military spouse preference for those who meet eligibility requirements.

National Security Personnel System (NSPS) - NSPS is the new performance-based personnel system being implemented across the federal government for civilian positions.  NSPS will replace the current GS system.

Occupational questionnaire - Included in some federal applications, it assesses a candidate's qualifications through detailed multiple choice or yes-or-no questions.

Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612) - This OPM form is the closest thing to a federal résumé and can be used as part of an application for virtually any federal job.

Outstanding Scholar Program - Some federal agencies are authorized to make immediate employment offers for select entry-level positions in more than 100 career fields to college graduates with a 3.5 GPA or better or who graduated in the top 10 percent of their class or major.  Eligible candidates receive Outstanding Scholar Designation.

Public trust designation - A position that requires an applicant to undergo a background check.

Qualifications Standards Operating Manual - The federal government's published guide to qualifications required for GS positions.

Questionnaire for National Security Positions (Standard Form (SF) - 86) - Used for background checks of applicants for national security positions requiring a security clearance, this form includes questions about educational background, past and current employers, police records, finances, and drug and alcohol usage.

Résumé - A brief account of one's professional or work experience and qualifications often submitted with an employment application.

Resumix - Resumix is an electronic résumé builder that may be used when applying for federal government positions. 

Superior academic achievement - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university will qualify an individual for a GS-5 level position in many occupations.  Superior academic achievement, defined as graduation in the upper third of one's college class, a GPA of B or better, or membership in a nationally recognized honors society, like Phi Beta Kappa, will qualify for a GS-7 level position.

Status candidates - Job applicants who currently work for the federal government or certain former federal employees.

Temporary or term position - Appointments used to fill nonpermanent positions. Temporary positions are filled for one year or less and employees do not receive benefits. Term employment may last from one to four years and employees generally have the same benefits as permanent employees.

Upward Mobility Program - Agencies can use this program to groom talent by creating or restructuring positions to be filled by promising entry-level applicants who will then be offered training and other career development opportunities.

Vacancy announcement - Announcement of an open position within a company.  Vacancy announcements describe the position, what skills and knowledge are required for the position, what skills and knowledge are desired for the position, and typically include how to apply for the position.

Veterans' preference - In the competitive process, veterans receive preferential consideration, typically by having five or ten points added to their scores during the examination process.