Vacancy Announcement Help
Don’t Let Our Vacancy Announcements Confuse You
We know that federal position descriptions may seem a bit bewildering if you aren't used to reading vacancy announcements. But they’re surprisingly easy to understand if you know how to interpret the terminology. So just read below to get a better understanding of what you need to know and do to apply for an IRS career.
- Vacancy Announcement Number – Each federal job opening receives its own ID number, known as a vacancy announcement number. You must reference it on all of the materials you submit with your application.
- Opening Date – This is the date when the vacancy announcement is initially opened to begin receiving applications from candidates.
- Closing Date – This is the final date that applications may be submitted for consideration for an available position. Your application must be postmarked or received by this date.
- Position – This is the specific title of the job vacancy that is being announced.
- Series & Grade – The pay plan designated for a job vacancy is represented by a series number and grade level.
- Promotion Potential – If a vacant position offers the potential for promotion, it will be noted in this area, along with a description of the full performance level for the position.
- Salary – This figure describes the salary range for the position. View a complete list of salary ranges.
- Duty Location – This is where the position is geographically located.
- Who May Apply – A simple description of who will be considered eligible for the position is noted here, for example: "Federal Civil Service Employees" or "Public."
- Major Duties – The duties and responsibilities of the position will be detailed here.
- Qualifications Required – The basic knowledge, skills and abilities you must have to qualify for a position, such as similar experience or a related educational background, are stated here.
- How You Will Be Evaluated – The details about how you will be evaluated for the position — whether you will be ranked on your knowledge, skills and abilities, or other characteristics — will appear here.
- How to Apply – All of the materials you must submit with your application will be listed here. Before you apply, you should review our "Ten Easy Steps."
This page was last updated on January 23, 2012.
