Vacancy Information

• 4-Step Application Process
• Reconsideration
• CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility
• Evaluation Process
• Superior Academic Achievement
• Veterans and People with Disabilities

4-step application process

Before beginning, review the announcement carefully and have all required information ready. Log into your USAJOBS account (or create a new one if applying for the first time). Consider making your resume searchable in USAJOBS. This will increase the chances of being found by potential employers who are seeking candidates with your skills and experience. Watch this tutorial on how to make your resume searchable. 

• Click the ‘Apply’ link. 
• Follow the prompts to select (or create) your resume and any other supporting documents.
• Respond to the agency and position specific questions.
• Submit your application.

Applicants will receive an e-mail notification once the application has been received.

reconsideration

Applicants may request reconsideration of their qualification determination within three business days from the date their application status was changed. Applicants should email the Agency Contact listed in this vacancy announcement with:

• A written request listing the announcement number;
• Explanation why the original determination was improper;
• What factors were not considered; and
• Any other pertinent information to support the reconsideration request.

 CTAP and ICTAP Eligibility

To be eligible for CTAP or ICTAP consideration, applicants must:  

• Submit the required documents to establish eligibility (see required documents guide);
• Meet the minimum qualification requirements; AND
• Receive a well-qualified score of at least 85 out of 100.

Additional information may be found here:  CTAP/ICTAP

 Evaluation Process

If applying under Merit Promotion: 

• Your SF-50 (or veterans) documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility under merit promotion.
• If applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) consideration, you must submit the documents identified under Required Documents.  If VEOA eligibility cannot be determined, consideration will not be given.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• Minimally qualified and best qualified (based upon responses to the job questionnaire) merit and VEOA eligibles are referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview. Due weight will be given to incentive awards and performance appraisals, as appropriate.

If applying under Agency Based or Delegated Examining:

• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• Your application will be placed in one of three categories (GOLD, SILVER, BRONZE) based upon the responses to the job questionnaire.
• Minimally qualified and best qualified applicants (GOLD CATEGORY) are referred to the selecting official.
• Veterans preference eligibles will be listed at the top of category which they are placed. 
• Veteran preference eligibles with a service-connected disability of 10% or more will be listed at the top of the GOLD category. 
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.
• More information may be found here:  Category Rating

If applying under a Special Appointing Authority:

• Your supporting documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility for a Special Appointing Authority.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• Minimally qualified applicants are referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.
• If applying under a Special Appointing Authority, more information on veterans and people with disabilities hiring authorities may be found here.

If applying under CTAP or ICTAP:

• Your supporting documentation is reviewed to verify eligibility under CTAP or ICTAP.
• Your resume is reviewed against the position qualification requirements.
• Minimally qualified and well qualified (score of 85-100 based upon responses to the job questionnaire) applicants are referred to the selecting official.
• The selecting official may contact you for an interview.

 Superior Academic Achievement

Superior Academic Achievement is based on (1) class standing, (2) grade-point average, or (3) honor society membership.

1. Class standing -- Applicants must be in the upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the College of Liberal Arts or the School of Business Administration, based on completed courses.

2. Grade-point average (G.P.A.)-- Applicants must have a grade-point average of:

   or

   • a. 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B" or better) as recorded on their official transcript, or as computed based on 4 years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum;
   • 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 ("B+" or better) based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum.
     Grade-point averages are to be rounded to one decimal place. For example, 2.95 will round to 3.0 and 2.94 will round to 2.9.
3. Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society -- Applicants can be considered eligible based on membership in one of the national scholastic honor societies listed below. These honor societies are listed by the Association of College Honor Societies. Agencies considering eligibility based on any society not included in the following list must ensure that the honor society meets the minimum requirements of the Association of College Honor Societies. Membership in a freshman honor society cannot be used to meet the requirements of this provision.