How To Apply

Applying for an Air Force Civilian Service (AFCS) Job

The process of applying for an AFCS job can take a couple of different routes depending upon your special qualifications or needs.

Special Hiring Authorities enable AFCS to fill certain jobs that require special skills or knowledge. Other Special Hiring Authorities allow for the hiring of people with disabilities. Look here.

Apart from these Special Hiring Authorities is the traditional application process that follows three basic steps for applying for a job with AFCS:

  1. Register with AFCS
  2. Get Started: Find an AFCS current Job Opening to determine if you want to apply.
  3. Create a USAJOBS account.
  4. Complete the Online Application, and submit all required supporting documentation.
Step 1 – Register with AFCS

Please register with us to participate in our opt-in system matching your job and location preferences against job announcements and priority job openings!

Step 2 – Getting Started—First Find a Job Opening with AFCS

There are number of ways to search for jobs with AFCS. We recommend starting here with our proprietary Job Match Machine. By selecting various skills you possess from your educational background, prior job experience, or aptitudes, we will provide you with a list of AFCS occupations that may be of interest to you...possibly including careers you may not have considered before.

If you are not a current or former Federal government employee, you can search for specific job titles here.

If you are a current or former Federal employee, a current AFCS employee, or are looking for a Senior Executive Service (SES) position, you will find these direct links to AFCS job postings handy:

Step 3 – Create an Account in USAJOBS

When you are ready to apply for an AFCS job, you will be transferred to USAJOBS.gov, the Federal government's official career website, which you will use to apply for all AFCS openings.

Creating an account with USAJOBS is free and is necessary in order to apply for an AFCS job. The registration process involves providing basic information including your name, address, phone number, and email address and creating a username and password.

At this point, it is helpful to have a resume or chronological job history in front of you. Once you have created a USAJOBS account, you will use the USAJOBS Resume Builder to create one or more resumes for use in applying for AFCS jobs. USAJOBS Resume Builder was created to make sure that all applicants' resumes appear in a consistent and uniform format, but you can tailor the content of your resume to the particular position you are pursuing.

For instance, if you have worked in both engineering and information technology (IT), you could create one resume focusing on your engineering experience and another emphasizing your IT expertise. You can create up to five resumes, all within the same account.

Step 4 – Complete the Online Application

Once you've found a job announcement you want to apply for, click the “Apply Online” button.

Applications may be submitted online or faxed, and any required supporting documentation must be uploaded or faxed.

The apply-online portion of the job application consists of three parts:

A. Build/Select Your Resume and Additional Documents

To apply for a vacancy, you must select a resume from your USAJOBS account. AFCS only accepts resumes that were created using the USAJOBS resume builder.

B. Answer Online Questions

Applicants for most jobs will need to complete the AFCS online assessment questionnaire, which will be a series of technical questions that you will need to respond to recalling your education, experience, and training as they relate to the job.

C. Submit Supporting Documentation for Your Application

Most people are required to provide some additional documents as part of the online application process. A "Vacancy Documents" section will list the various types of documentation that may or must be submitted. Re-read the job announcement and determine which documents apply to you and follow the instructions to complete this process.

These documents can include: college transcripts, training documents, Federal standard forms, licenses, and certificates. Applicants anticipating special consideration must also submit the following:

  • Veterans: Submit documentation supporting your claim to veterans' preference and eligibility. The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC) has provided the following website for veterans to gain access to their DD-214s online: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/
  • Current or former Federal employees: Submit the latest Standard Form 50, Notification of Personnel Action, and document career or career conditional status.
  • Applicants eligible under Special Appointing Authority such as Veterans Recruitment Authority and 30% Disabled Veterans Hiring Authority: Various documents may be required to verify applicant eligibility. Refer to the announcement for specific details. Also, remember to review the Special Hiring Authorities information here.

For additional information on this subject, please review the "Civilian Employment Guide."

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