| Q: How can I find Agricultural Research Service (ARS) job openings? |
| A: You can find ARS vacancy announcements from the ARS Careers website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/docs.htm?docid=11797
Vacancy announcements are posted in three categories:
- Scientists and Engineers – includes vacancy announcements for all managerial, research, and support scientist positions requiring a scientific background in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. U.S. citizenship is required.
- Postdoctoral Research Associates – includes temporary (usually up to 2 years in duration) postdoctoral research associate positions for Ph.D. graduates in the life, physical, and engineering sciences. Preference is given to candidates whose degree has been received within the last 4 years. Citizenship restrictions apply.
- Administrative, Technical, Clerical and Trades – includes vacancy announcements for all administrative, technical, clerical, trades and science research technician positions. U.S. citizenship is required.
You can also find ARS vacancy announcements through the Office of Personnel Management’s USAJobs website: http://www.usajobs.gov/. |
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| Q: Can you notify me of vacancies as they open in ARS? |
| A: To stay informed of new ARS jobs posted, you can sign up to receive a weekly “ARS Jobs” e-mail from the ARS Careers website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/docs.htm?docid=1358.
You can also sign up for an account through the Office of Personnel Management’s USAJobswebsite where you establish a profile and receive a daily message with new jobs that match your profile. Learn more at: http://www.usajobs.gov/. Use the tab marked “My Account” and follow the instructions to sign up. |
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| Q: How can I find out about student and summer employment opportunities? |
| A: ARS hires students in various roles throughout the organization during the school year and each summer.
Information on ARS student and summer programs can be found at: http://www.ars.usda.gov/careers/docs.htm?docid=1438
To learn about opportunities in a specific state in ARS, you will need to contact the person listed for each state. Contact information can be found at: https://www.ars.usda.gov/admin/sp2.5/.
To learn about student employment in other Federal agencies, visit the USAJobs website: http://www.usajobs.gov/StudentsAndGrads. |
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| Q: How can I find jobs in other USDA agencies? |
| A: To find current job openings in other USDA agencies visit: http://www.usajobs.gov/. |
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| Q: How can I find jobs in other Federal agencies? |
| A: To learn about jobs in other Federal agencies, use the USAJOBS website: |
| http://www.usajobs.gov/. |
| Q: How are Federal jobs filled? |
| A: Information on how Federal jobs are filled can be found on the following website: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page. |
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| Q: What are the Qualification Requirements for Federal jobs? |
| A: Information on Qualification Requirements can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Main_Page.
In addition, each vacancy announcement will include information on minimum and position-specific qualifications. |
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| Q: How can I determine what jobs my college major will help me qualify for? |
| A: Information on Federal Jobs by College Major can be found at: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Jobs_By_College_Major. |
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| Q: Applying for Federal jobs seems so confusing, where do I start? |
| A: The first step in the process is to identify positions that are of interest to you and where your experience and education meet the qualification requirements. You should begin your search for jobs by conducting research on different types of occupations in the Federal government and reviewing the descriptions of the jobs and qualification requirements listed in the vacancy announcements. Once you identify the types of positions that you are interested in, you should begin preparing and submitting your application package following the instructions provided in each vacancy announcement.
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| Q: I’m getting my degree in a few months, when can I start applying for Federal jobs? |
| A: Coming Soon! |
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| Q: Where can I find application forms? |
| A: Coming Soon! |
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| Q: How do I submit my application for ARS jobs? |
| A: Coming soon! |
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| Q: Do I need to submit my transcripts? |
| A: Coming soon! |
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| Q: How can I verify if my application has been received or check on the status of my application? |
| A: Coming soon! |
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| Q: Can you keep my application on file for future openings? |
| A: Coming soon! |
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| Q: Is the selecting official (or hiring manager) obligated to interview all of the best-qualified candidates? |
| A: No, a selecting official is free to decide who should or should not be interviewed. You should keep this in mind as you prepare your application for positions. The first impression is made based on your application – selling yourself short or submitting an application that is not neat or clear in terms of your experience and/or education may impact the decision to interview you or not. |
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| Q: What are the citizenship requirements for Federal employment? |
| A: The Federal government gives strong priority to hiring United States citizens and nationals, but non-citizens may be hired in certain circumstances. Agencies considering non-citizens for Federal employment in the competitive service must follow usual selection procedures and meet the requirements of all three of the following: immigration law; an appropriations act ban on paying certain non-citizens; and an executive order restriction on appointing no citizens in the competitive service. In addition, agencies are responsible for applying any citizenship requirements that may appear in their individual agency’s authorization and appropriation laws.
To learn more about citizenship requirements visit: https://help.usajobs.gov/index.php/Employment_of_Non-citizens. |
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| Q: Can I get help creating my resume in USAJobs? |
| A: To view the online USAJobs Resume Tutorial, click here: http://www.usajobs.gov/Content/pdfs/USAJOBSResumes.pdf. |
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| Q: I’m a military veteran, where can I find information about employment benefits for veterans? |
| A: The VetGuide explains the special rights and privileges that veterans enjoy in Federal civil service employment. The guide conveniently summarizes in one place material from many laws and regulations that affect the employment of veterans. For a copy of the guide, access the guide on-line at: http://www.opm.gov/veterans/html/vetguide.asp |
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| Q: How can I find information regarding previous employment I had with ARS? |
| A: Contact the Human Resources Division by phone on 301-504-1372. |
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| Q: Who do I contact to verify employment of an ARS employee? |
| A: For employment verification, call 301-504-1372. |
