GovCentral

Leaving the Legal Grind: Land a Plum Job as an Administration Law Judge

Elizabeth Juge | Resume-Place.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 04:24:00 -0800

Experienced litigators and administrative law specialists take note—the U.S. Office of Personnel Management recently announced that the Administrative Law Judge exam is open.

Thought to be one of the best jobs in government, ALJs are paid on a special pay scale that is commensurate with Senior Executive Service; but ALJs do not have direct supervisors and are not subject to participation in cursory performance appraisal activities. They have no production goals, and are not responsible for supervising others.

Start your Administrative Law Judge application on USAJOBS.com

Some view the position as prestigious—the Supreme Court noted that for most Americans, an ALJ is the highest ranking government official they will ever encounter. For attorneys looking to leave the grind of private practice, especially in a declining economy, the ALJ position provides steady and interesting work at a stable and equitable salary, which tops out in 7 years at over $160,000.

You can’t talk about ALJ hiring without talking about the Social Security Administration. SSA employs around 90% of all ALJs in the federal government. As of March 2009, there were 1,422 ALJs employed at 30 federal agencies and sub-agencies. SSA employed more than 1,100 of them. Chief Judge Frank Cristaudo has stated that SSA will hire up to 190 ALJs in a variety of locations in fiscal year 2010. Those judges will be hired from the register created by successful applicants from the upcoming exam. Applicants on the register could also be hired by any of the other agencies employing ALJs. Join in the Social Security Administration Blog and read about ALJ discussions. Blog quote: “I urge those who want to become Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) to study this notice carefully and to monitor the OPM website closely. The last time the register was opened, it only stayed open for a few days. Many who were interested in becoming ALJs failed to apply in time.”

Elizabeth Juge, a Senior Federal Career Consultant and Legal Application Expert at The Resume Place in Baltimore, MD, answers Frequently Asked Questions by attorney applicants about qualifications, the exam review process and how to prepare successful application materials.

Next Page: Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I have to have prior judicial experience?
In a word, no. Most selected as ALJs have never been judges, although former state and local judges do fare well in the process. To debunk another myth, no political connections are required. ALJs are the only U.S. judges that are appointed solely based on merit. They are rated and ranked based on the information provided in the exam process. The minimum requirement is completion of a Juris Doctor, being a member in good standing of a state bar association in the U.S. (or one of a few territories) and 7 or more years experience as a practicing attorney. The best candidates have both litigation and administrative law experience. Other excellent attributes to feature are your ability to maintain a composed judicial demeanor and your knowledge of how a courtroom is run. Typically candidates with varied career experience fare well.

What is the deadline for applying? Is the exam timed?
When the announcement for the exam gets posted (which is rumored to be mid November 2009), the application will be open for a designated period of time (historically 2 weeks) OR until a maximum number of applicants is received. In 2008, 600 applications were allowed and that number was reached on the second day the announcement was posted. Plan ahead and get your materials in shape well before the announcement comes out. It is very unlikely you will have more than 2-3 days to apply.

You will submit your materials online at OPM’s website. The process of inputting your application is not timed. It is recommended that you do your writing in a word processing program and copy/paste into the online system to avoid errors or technological glitches.

What is the total application like?
The full application and “examination” requires answers to multiple choice questions (self-assessment questionnaire), a federal resume (which is typically 4-6 pages long), answers to the 6 narratives in the Accomplishment Record and 2 additional narratives that respectively detail your administrative law and litigation experience.

What does the Federal Resume look like for an ALJ Application?
The Federal resume is more detailed than your private practice resume. Most private practice resumes are two pages and do not include a great amount of detail describing your legal skills. The federal resume should contain more information in the Work Experience section of the resume. Your current position, and the past two positions should be described in detail. I would recommend that the current position be written in 1/2 to 2/3 of one full page. This is the most important position. The second and third positions can be somewhat shorter. But the Human Resources specialists will be looking for content and descriptions of your work as an attorney. Study OPM’s qualifications when writing your federal resume. They will be most interested in the last 10 years of your professional career. The biggest differences between private practice and federal resume will be in the Work Experience section with more details about the last 10 years of experience.

What comprises the ALJ Accomplishment Record?
The Accomplishment Record is made up of several competencies relevant to the job in which you will detail examples from your experience that demonstrate your competence in each area. Not all of your examples need to be from your legal experience. Other parts of your community and life experience can be effective too. Have you ever served on a board or commission? Made critical decisions as part of a review panel? Written a published work that was persuasive and well received? It’s all fair game for your accomplishments.

What’s the best way to write the “2 additional narratives”?
Detail your administrative law and litigation experience.

What are key words and do I really need to worry about them?
Key words are the buzz words and phrases that pertain to the top skills and most relevant qualifications for the job. They can be found right in the announcement and assessment questions. Because the applications are rated by Human Resources professionals and not fellow attorneys (nor ALJs), use of these key words points a lay person to how your qualifications match up to critical criteria. This is an area where many applications go astray. The use of legal jargon and complicated language can hurt your application. Understanding how to use the key words is vital. This process may make the application seem duplicative, especially because you will use the same key words in the resume and the narratives, but is effective and proven to yield good results.

Do you have to be an agency insider to have a real shot at this job?
No. Because of the merit-based principles, each applicant is rated solely on merit. In fact, being an agency insider can be a detriment if your agency work is viewed as less than stellar.

Will I get my veteran’s preference?
Yes. All the consideration of veteran’s preference apply, including the 5 or 10 points.

What happens after I submit my initial application?
If you are among the highest scoring applicants on the initial Accomplishment Record, you will be invited to OPM headquarters for the Written Demonstration and a Structured Interview. The Written Demonstration has been described as similar to a bar exam and each candidate will write a mock decision. The Structured Interview is just that—an interview where each candidate is asked the same set of identical questions. The combined score of all three steps in the process makes up your final score. A score of 40 or higher will land you on the register.

What does it mean to be on the register?
Those candidates whose applications have scored highly enough will be placed on the ALJ register – simply a list of high-scoring candidates — until an agency requests names of candidates who can be interviewed by the agency and hired. This second list is called a “certificate,” and it contains three candidates for every one position to be filled. You could be on the register for a few weeks or many months before being called by an agency for an interview. The current register will expire in October 2010. The timeline for the new register will be detailed in the upcoming announcement.

Why are so many ALJs being hired?
Because they employ so many judges, the Social Security Administration largely drives the process. SSA needs to decrease the backlog of pending disability claims from some 800,000 cases and also reduce the processing time for the almost 500,000 new cases annually.

How can I find a list of the agencies that hire ALJs?
Visit the website for the Federal Administrative Law Judges Conference at www.faljc.org . There you can find a list of agencies that hire ALJs, a copy of the 2008 application questions and other basic information about the application process.

What is the salary structure?
Starting salary ranges from $116,000 to $129,000, depending on locality. Full performance level is $162,000 and is reached in 7 years. Current or former federal employees who are earning more than the starting salary do not take a pay cut and may start with a small increase over their previous salary.

What areas of the country have these jobs available?
There are ALJs all over the United States and in Puerto Rico. When you apply for the job, you will be asked to select from 80-120 cities where jobs are available. You can preference as many as you like. Later in the process, you are allowed to reduce the number of areas you will consider. Once you submit your final geographic availability list, you may be offered a job in any of those locations.

1. START NOW! The announcement may only be open 1 to 5 days, depending on how many applications they have set as their goal.

2. Use PLAIN LANGUAGE and the KEY WORDS from the application. Avoid complicated legal jargon. Remember that your application will be rated by a non-attorney.

3. Make sure your RESUME supports your Accomplishment Record. The resume should feature your DUTIES that speak to the required skills as well as your unique career ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

4. Apply the CCAR (context-challenge-actions-results) method to your Accomplishment Record NARRATIVES.

5. Feature areas of ADMINISTRATIVE LAW in which you have experience that might be of benefit to the regulatory and enforcement agencies. Examples are employment, immigration, disability, energy, etc.

Elizbeth’s links:

OPM’s press release

OPM to Open Administrative Law Judge Exam

OPM’s Qualifications for ALJ

ALJ Pay System & Scale

Administrative Law Judge job Announcement on USAJobs

OPM to Open Administrative Law Judge Exam

OPM’s Qualifications for ALJ

OPM ALJ Fact Sheet

Social Security Blog / News

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Elizabeth Juge

Elizabeth is trained in Federal Human Resources recruitment and selection. She has written professionally for 15 years and joined The Resume Place as a full time writer and career consultant in 2005. She consults with jobseekers to match their qualifications to targeted jobs and develops strategies for the job search and application materials. As a professional trainer working alongside Kathryn Troutman, Elizabeth has taught Ten Steps to a Federal Job and writing classes to numerous job seekers, military counselors and federal human resources professionals.

A specialist in federal legal applications and Senior Executive Service writing, Elizabeth was a contributing editor on Kathryn Troutman’s 4th edition Federal Resume Guidebook, editing chapters on resume writing and career development. She recently wrote the chapter on KSA writing and edited other chapters in Ten Steps to a Federal Job, 2nd edition. Her application writing work has helped numerous RP clients earn best-qualified rankings in their Federal Job applications.

Top Locations for Government Jobs (November 2009)

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:03:00 -0800

As of November 9, 2009, there are over 30,000 current job vacancies with the federal government. GovCentral has searched every state to make it easy for you to find the vacancies available in your area. Click the links next to find opportunities in your area.

Highlights:

1. The Washington, D.C. Metro region has over 6000 current vacancies.

2. The federal government has at least 30,000 current job vacancies.

Ever wonder what happens after you click send on an application for a position on USAJOBS? GovCentral featured writer Kathryn Troutman explains.

Click to search for current vacancies in your area.

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Alabama - 417 job vacancies

Alaska - 371 job vacancies

Arizona - 746 job vacancies

Arkansas - 115 job vacancies

California - 2527 job vacancies

Colorado - 544 job vacancies

Connecticut - 242 job vacancies

Delaware - 47 job vacancies

District of Columbia - 2091 job vacancies

Florida - 1734 job vacancies

Georgia - 957 job vacancies

Hawaii - 641 job vacancies

Idaho - 142 job vacancies

Illinois - 568 job vacancies

Indiana - 367 job vacancies

Iowa - 91 job vacancies

Kansas - 305 job vacancies

Kentucky - 348 job vacancies

Louisiana - 413 job vacancies

Maine - 356 job vacancies

Maryland - 1976 job vacancies

Massachusetts - 420 job vacancies

Michigan - 297 job vacancies

Minnesota - 168 job vacancies

Mississippi - 507 job vacancies

Missouri - 505 job vacancies

Montana - 191 job vacancies

Nebraska - 136 job vacancies

Nevada - 310 job vacancies

New Hampshire - 79 job vacancies

New Jersey - 428 job vacancies

New Mexico - 501 job vacancies

New York - 635 job vacancies

North Carolina - 752 job vacancies

North Dakota - 107 job vacancies

Ohio - 464 job vacancies

Oklahoma - 431 job vacancies

Oregon - 312 job vacancies

Pennsylvania - 763 job vacancies

Puerto Rico - 71 job vacancies

Rhode Island - 206 job vacancies

South Carolina - 543 job vacancies

South Dakota - 160 job vacancies

Tennessee - 369 job vacancies

Texas - 1723 job vacancies

Utah - 262 job vacancies

Vermont - 74 job vacancies

Virginia - 2803 job vacancies

Washington - 1403 job vacancies

West Virginia - 208 job vacancies

Wisconsin - 125 job vacancies

Wyoming - 96 job vacancies

Government Job Report - Top Hiring Federal Agencies (November 2009)

GovCentral — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 05:37:00 -0800

The Government Job Report is a new monthly feature on GovCentral. At the beginning of every month, GovCentral will publish its rankings of the federal agencies with the highest number of current job openings.

As you'll notice, the top 5 ranked agencies for this month are either branches of the military or work with veterans. We based the ranking based on current openings for civilian employment, not active-duty military service.

We thank you for visiting GovCentral and want to make this report a valuable resource for you.

Want more from this report? Leave your comments below.

Ever wonder what happens after you click send on an application for a position on USAJOBS? Read some wonderful insight from one of GovCentral's featured writers, Kathryn Troutman.

Click on the Agency to search for current available positions.

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Department of the Navy - 5000 openings

United States Army - 4878 openings

Department of Veterans Affairs - 3720 openings

Department of the Air Force - 2581 openings

Department of Defense - 2102 openings

Department of Homeland Security - 1781 openings

Department of Agriculture - 1583 openings

Department of Health and Human Services - 1262 openings

Department of the Interior - 855 openings

Department of Justice - 620 openings

Department of the Treasury - 421 openings

Multi-Agency - 391 openings

Department of Commerce - 362 openings

Department of Transportation - 343 openings

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation - 300 openings

Social Security Administration - 232 openings

National Aeronautics & Space Administration - 157 openings

Environmental Protection Agency - 139 openings

Department of State - 134 openings

Department of Labor - 126 openings

Department of Energy - 92 openings

General Services Administration - 72 openings

Agency for International Development - 56 openings

Nuclear Regulatory Commission - 46 openings

Department of Housing and Urban Development - 41 openings

How to Become a Foreign Service Officer

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:23:00 -0700

How to Become a Foreign Service Officer

Step One - Choose a Career Path

There are five career path one can follow as a Foreign Service Office. It's important to select the path you want to pursue in your application.

• Consular: Consular Officers protect Americans abroad and strengthen U.S. border security

• Economic: Economic Officers promote economic partnerships, development, and fair trade

• Management: Management Officers run our embassies and make American diplomacy work

• Political: Political Officers analyze political events

• Public Diplomacy: Public Diplomacy Officers explain American values and policies

As well, here are the basics for employment eligibility, as decreed by the State Department

• U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package

• At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day you submit your registration

• At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day you are appointed as a Foreign Service Officer

• Available for worldwide assignments*, including Washington, D.C.

Step Two - Submit Your Application/Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test

Photo Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mishkabear/ / CC BY 2.0

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Step Two - Submit Your Application/Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test

The Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) is administered several times a year and designated test centers. You will need to submit an application before you can register for the FSOT.

Click here for dates about the next Foreign Service Officer Test

Step Three - Take the Foreign Service Officer Test

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Step Three - Take the Foreign Service Officer Test

The Foreign Service Officer Test will measure writing skills and like other government applications, leans heavily on responses describing knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's). The FSOT is broken into three multiple-choice parts.

The first part covers "job knowledge", which means a wide array of topics about the U.S. government, world affairs, history, U.S. culture, finance and economics and more.

To study for the foreign service officer test you need to be whip-smart about a lot of different things. Not only will you need to up to speed about the goals of the Obama Administration, but also be keenly aware of the wider cultural ramifications that Miley Cryus or those Jonas Brothers may have in Bangladesh.

I picture the ideal study session for the FSOT is flipping channels between ESPN and the History Channel, reading the Economist, Wall Street Journal, or the Financial Times, while visiting TMZ.com and Politico.com on your computer.

Read the State Department's guide about preparing for the FSOT

The FSOT also tests your ability to write well in English. While you may be sent to a far-away culture, speaking a foreign language will not give you an automatic advantage, but it certainly won't hurt if selected for the next round.

Lastly, the FSOT looks asks for biographical information: what makes you, well, "you". The State Department is looking for you to describe your work style, how you interact and communicate with others, as well as your approach to interacting with other cultures.

Because the Foreign Service is the face of America abroad, it's critical that it's officers don't offend local cultures. While a thumbs up here may be a good thing, in Iraq it's the equivalent of the middle finger.

There is also an essay portion to the FSOT on an assigned topic.

Step Four - Personal Narrative and Qualifications Evaluation Panel

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Step Four - Personal Narrative and Qualifications Evaluation Panel

If the State Department likes what they see so far, they will ask you to submit a Personal Narative (PN). This is another critical portion of the application process that asks you to describe the knowledge, skills, and abilities you could offer to the Foreign Service. You will have three weeks to submit the narrative after the request is sent.

So this writing sample is really about you and what you have already accomplished.

The best advice I can give is the same advice my college English professors gave me. "Show. Don't Tell"

Talking about how you have these awesome leadership and communications skills will not impress the State Department. Your PN will really shine if you can actively describe your leadership experience.

Some questions to consider while writing your Personal Narrative:

Last year, you had to selected judges for the office chili cook-off. How did you handle the region conflicts between Human Resources and Marketing?

When making a critical decision, who do you consult first?

(for men) Barber or bartender?

(For women) Wine club or book club?

Yes, these are not very serious questions, but the State Department does really give some good advice when writing your PN.

1. Give positive examples that demonstrate your abilities

2. Identify learning experiences

3. Indicate how your learning experience will contribute to your success in the Foreign Service.

Your PN is reviewed by the a Qualifications Evaluation Panel (QEP), which consists of trained Foreign Service Officers. The QEP takes a holistic approach to your application, making an evaluation on your educational and work background, the Personal Narrative, language scores, and the result of your FSOT.

It's important to know that the QEP makes its recommendation based on which career path you seek to join as well as your results from the various tests and essays you've written thus far. There is no perfect grade and there really isn't any minimum grade. The QEP looks at how well you might perform in your selected careerpath That being said, the State Department suggests tellingly that your Personal Narrative is the opportunity to impress the QEP.

If you are considered among the best qualified candidates, you will then move along to an interview portion, which is known as an oral assessment.

Step Five - Oral Assessment

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Step Five - Oral Assessment

Making it the Oral Assessment portion will send you to Washington, DC or a nearby major city in the United States for a day-long assessment that is the equivalent of water-torture. The Oral Assessment is broken into a group exercise, a structured interview, and a case management writing exercise.

You will be evaluated on 13 dimensions of compatibility as a Foreign Service Officer. These are not similar to the 29 dimensions that eHarmony.com uses for dating compatibility. Click here for the 13 qualities that reflect the skills, abilities, and personal qualities deemed essential to the work for the Foreign Service.

There are also some materials you will need to prepare before the Oral Assessment.

The Oral Assessment is the last part of the application process. If you've made it this far , you are probably mentally fatigued and have given up the dream of ever eating banh mi in Vietnam.

Passing the assessment indicates that the State Department believes you are worthy to be a Foreign Service Office, but it does not equate to a full job-offer. You're in the home stretch, but will still need to complete a security and medical clearance.

Next Step: Security and Medical Clearance

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Medical Clearance

Doctors at the State Department review your medical history and physical fitness to determine if you are able to serve in any assignment worldwide ("Class One" medical clearance), or if there is some condition that could affect your health should you become sick.

The reason why this is important is that many posts a Foreign Service Officer may be assigned to do not have the same medical treatment facilities as we have in the United States. A mosquito bite in the States means some scratchy skin, but it could mean malaria (and death) in a place like Tanzania.

Security Clearance

The security clearance process involves a background check of you, your family and friends to determine the trustworthiness of a candidate.

Limited factors include credit problems or bankruptcy, drug abuse, a criminal record, dishonorable discharge from the military, and others.

No matter how much the situation might have been out of your control or was a sin long atoned for, the State Department will determine whether or not you would remain trustworthy to the United States or would become a liability. Many people and organizations that harbor ill-will to the United States seek to exploit the vulnerabilities a person may have. It is in the best interest of the United States and the State Department to hire individuals that would mitigate that risk.

The security clearance can take as little as six-weeks, but is generally around 3-4 months. If you hold dual citizenship, travel overseas often, or have friends/family that are not U.S. citizens, the process could take much longer.

Next Step: Final Review Panel

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Final Review Panel

So the talent show tryout is almost over and now your complete file (except medical records) is passed along to the Final Review Panel. According to the State Department, the purpose of the panel is to "determine, from the candidate's total record, whether the candidate is indeed suitable to represent the United States."

Like earlier decision makers in the application/interview process, the Final Review Panel will determine whether you will be a liability or an asset, a trouble-maker or a problem-solver, a lush or a teetotaler. Are you going to be loyal to the U.S. Government or will poor judgement and shaking finances compromise your integrity and the safety of other Americans?

The State Department states that the most common grounds for rejected a candidate that has made it this far is a "recent history of drug or alcohol abuse and delinquency in repaying a debt or other evidence of financial irresponsibility."

The Last Step: The Register, Assignment, and Training

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The Last Step: The Register, Assignment, and Training

Approval by the Final Review Panel earns you a place on a list called The Register. This is a list of successful candidates based on rank and career path. Think of it as a group of smart kids wait-listed at an Ivy-league college.

The State Department will appoint you to a career path in the Foreign Service, which you may decline. If you decline a second appointment, your name will be taken off The Register. If you want to improve your rank on the Register, you must begin the application process anew. Frankly this sounds less appealing than eating cold mushy spinach.

Assignment and Training

Once you have accepted an appointment with the Foreign Service, you will go through a rigorous training regiment at the National Foreign Training Center in Arlington, VA. Training can last three-months to one-year before departure to your first assignment.

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So Are you Ready for the Foreign Service?

A career as a Foreign Service Officer is a challenging, yet rewarding experience. Representing the United States in an official capacity overseas is an honor that not everyone is lucky enough to have.

More than anything else, a commitment to the work that the Foreign Service does is critical to making it through the selection process as well as enjoying a fruitful career trotting across the globe.

Apply to become a Foreign Service Officer

Travel the World on the Government Dime

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:21:00 -0700

Profiles in Public Service: Charles Ray

Global travel. Learning new languages and experiencing cultures. These are just some of the reasons that people decide to join the Foreign Service at the Department of State.

The Foreign Service is a group of citizens that are the face of America internationally. Their mission is to strengthen peace and support prosperity by promoting our business interests and protecting American citizens throughout the world.

To be considered for the foreign service, you must be whip-smart and pass a rigorous application and interview process.

Take Charles A. Ray, Ambassador-Designate to Zimbabwe.

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Ray started his career as a Foreign Service Officer in 1982 after retiring as a Major in the Army after 20-years service.

Before he retired, Ray wondered what his next step would be. A librarian at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, CA suggested he look at the State Department.

Then dominated by Ivy-league graduates, Ray admits that the Foreign Service seemed an odd place for a kid that grew up in East Texas.

Successfully completing the application and interview process, he initially had a tough transition from giving orders in the Army to taking them as a junior Foreign Service Officer.

According to his White House Biography it seems he's had some success:

Since joining the Foreign Service, Charles A. Ray has served in China and Thailand, and was Deputy Chief of Mission in Sierra Leone. In 1998, he was appointed as the first U.S. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. In 2002, he was sworn in as the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia, where he served until 2005. Mr. Ray served as Diplomat in Residence at the University of Houston for the 2005-2006 academic year.

When asked his opinion about Generation Y and the next generation at the State Department, Ambassador Ray saw many similarities to those inspired by President Kennedy. However, he stressed that their enthusiasm can also lead to frustration when they are not automatically put into leadership positions.

"Be patient and learn," Ambassador Ray advised.

Learn more about becoming a Foreign Service Officer at the State Department.

Profiles in Public Service: Dinah Cohen

Partnership for Public Service — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:13:00 -0700

Job title: Director, Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP), U.S. Department of Defense, TRICARE Management Activity

Best known for: Providing specialized computers, software and other electronic devices to more than 81,000 federal employees and wounded military service members with hearing, visual, dexterity, cognitive and communications disabilities to help make the workplace more accessible.

Government service: Cohen has held positions as the manager of the Disability and Federal Women's Program at the Agency for International Development and served with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Naval Research Laboratory before becoming the first-ever director of the Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program at the Department of Defense in 1990, where she remains today.

Biggest challenge of the job: CAP offers tremendous assistance to wounded service members and disabled government employees, but it is not always easy to get the word out to the broader federal community. "So many need our services and could be gainfully employed if only they or their employers knew we existed," she said.

Quote: Cohen came to her position having faced her own adversity, a congenital heart disease at a young age. "Growing up with my disabilities, I am inspired to make sure others can succeed in their chosen careers as I have."

Dinah Cohen: Helping Wounded Veterans Re-Enter the Workforce

Partnership for Public Service — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:51:00 -0700

It's not easy for a wounded veteran returning from Afghanistan or Iraq to secure a civilian job but Dinah Cohen and her team at the Defense department's Computer Electronic Accommodation Program (CAP) are working with medical experts to change that.

Read the profile on Dinah Cohen

By providing specialized computers software and electronics to veterans who are hearing and visually impaired, they work to make veterans more marketable to employers..

Cohen, the director of CAP, once worked as a rehabilitation counselor, visiting injured soldiers at the Veterans Administration and military hospitals. That experience is what led her to CAP, she said. "When I started going up there and saw the amputees and the people who have lost their vision from IEDs, it became obvious to me that we had the tools they would need to re-enter the workforce," she said.

In 2008, CAP provided training and equipment to almost 4,600 wounded veterans to increase their opportunities for employment. The services were offered at medical centers, such as Walter Reed.

Under CAP's program, medical centers identify the assistive technology they need for veterans and take ownership of training the veterans on such equipment. The training takes place while the veterans are undergoing rehabilitation.

CAP's effort is part of a much broader program that Cohen helped start in 1990 to remove financial barriers and achieve job security for people with disabilities.

Though initially designed solely for Pentagon employees, CAP expanded its mission over the years to provide services to disabled employees in more than 65 federal government agencies. The program has helped more than 81,000 individuals.

"I like to think that each and every time we fill a CAP request, we are making someone's life a little easier, helping them to be more productive in their work environment and in their own personal lives," Cohen said.

Under the broader government-wide program, CAP purchases and delivers the hardware, software and services that people with disabilities need to function in the workplace. This includes everything from specialized voice recognition and screen magnification software to assistive listening devices, cueing aids and powerful computer-based applications to help with memory loss. There are also Braille terminals and specialized keyboards for people who have lost use of their hands.

CAP is as much a resource for federal managers as it is for workers with disabilities.

Cohen opened the CAP Technology Evaluation Center as an assessment and demonstration facility, which serves as a resource for senior federal government workers to realize the power of assistive technology. It has hosted demonstrations, training and technology assessments for tens of thousands of visitors.

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Cohen struggled with a congenital heart disease at a young age and the experience has made a difference in her work, she said. , said of her own adversity: "Growing up with my own disabilities, I am inspired to make sure others can succeed in their chosen careers as I have."

She is especially fulfilled by the direct and positive impact on people.

"The reason I stay so engaged and so passionate about what I do is customer service. When I go out, I will meet some of my customers and they let me know the impact we have been able to make on their lives. It's what makes each day special," Cohen said.

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This article was jointly prepared by the Partnership for Public Service, a group seeking to enhance the performance of the federal government, and washingtonpost.com. Visit www.ourpublicservice.org for more about the organization's work.

Photo:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/soldiersmediacenter/ / CC BY 2.0

Workplace Benefits and Demands Exceed at Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Katherine McIntire Peters | Government Executive — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:23:00 -0700

Looking for a supportive employer with great benefits? If you aren't afraid of tough jobs, such as safeguarding radiological materials or licensing nuclear facilities, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could be just the place for you.

A new report by the agency's inspector general confirms what previous surveys have concluded: NRC has an excellent work climate and scores well above most companies and research organizations, especially when it comes to training and professional development opportunities.

That's good news for agency leaders, who will need a top-notch workforce to grapple with difficult management and performance responsibilities, as cataloged in another recent report.

Inspector General Hubert Bell has identified the seven toughest demands on NRC staff:

* Protection of nuclear material used for civilian purposes.
* Managing information to balance security with openness and accountability.
* Ability to modify regulatory processes to include the licensing of new nuclear facilities.
* Oversight of radiological waste.
* Implementation of information technology and information security measures.
* Administration of all aspects of financial management.
* Managing human capital.

While the functions are distinct, they also are interdependent. "For example, the challenge of managing human capital affects all other management and performance challenges," Bell noted.

If the results of the IG's Safety Culture and Climate Survey administered in May is any indication, the agency is at least facing those issues with a motivated workforce.

Of the 3,935 employees asked to participate in the survey, 3,404 did so for an unprecedented return rate of 87 percent, which was "more than sufficient to provide a reliable and valid measure of the current attitudes and perceptions of NRC employees and managers," wrote Stephen D. Dingbaum, assistant inspector general for audits.

The survey showed significant improvements in 16 of 17 categories, compared with a similar survey in 2005, and the scores were on par with or exceeded those of high-performance companies that have undertaken comparable evaluations.

The results show the agency's mission and values as embodied in its strategic plan are widely understood and embraced by staff, the IG found. Employees rated job satisfaction, engagement, clarity of responsibilities, mission and working relationships at 80 percent or higher.

10 Government Careers That Earn $70K+

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 06:19:00 -0700

The Federal government is looking to fill 273,000 mission critical positions in tne next three years. Why wait that long? GovCentral analyzed the 10 areas projected to see the largest growth and hand-picked current openings that all earn over $70,000.

Special thanks to the Partnership for Public Service and their recent publication Where the Jobs Are report for help in providing information for this project.

The list of 10 Government Industry's Projected to see the largest growth in the next three years:

Medical and Public Helath - 54,114 Projected

Security and Protection - 52,007 Projected

Compliance and Enforcement - 31,276 Projected

Legal - 23,596 Projected

Administration/Program Management - 17,287 Projected

Accounting and Budget - 16,664 Projected

Information Technology - 11,549 Projected

Business and Industry - 10,765 Projected

Engineering - 10,642 Projected

Transportation - 10,560 Projected

Read on to find out positions that are open today.

Next Industry: Medical and Public Health

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Nurse at Department of Veterans Affairs

Projected Hiring – 54,114

Registered nurses (RNs), regardless of specialty or work setting, treat patients, educate patients and the public about various medical conditions, and provide advice and emotional support to patients’ family members. RNs record patients’ medical histories and symptoms, help perform diagnostic tests and analyze results, operate medical machinery, administer treatment and medications, and help with patient follow-up and rehabilitation.

Search for nursing jobs

Learn More:

Ten Steps to Becoming a Nurse (nursinglink.com)

BLS Job Outlook

Next Industry: Security & Protection

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Transportation Security Specialist at DHS

Projected Hiring – 52,007

Transportation Security Specialist serve as a liasion between multiple offices in the Department of Homeland Security. Positions like will perform multiple, varying, and complex assignments related to analyzing and evaluating cargo security programs. (courtesy usajobs.gov)

Search for Transportation Security Jobs

Learn More: TSA.gov

Next Industry: Compliance & Enforcement

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Border Patrol Agent at DHS

Projected Hiring – 31,276

The Customs and Border Patrol is looking for candidates interested in preventing terrorists and terrorist weapons from entering the United States; detecting and preventing the smuggling and unlawful entry of undocumented aliens into the United States; and apprehending those people found to be in violation of the immigration laws.

Learn More at GovCentral

Search for Border Patrol Jobs

Next Industry: Legal

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Paralegal at Department of Justice

Projected Hiring - 23,596

While lawyers assume ultimate responsibility for legal work, they often delegate many of their tasks to paralegals. In fact, paralegals—also called legal assistants—are continuing to assume a growing range of tasks in legal offices and perform many of the same tasks as lawyers. Nevertheless, they are explicitly prohibited from carrying out duties considered to be the practice of law, such as setting legal fees, giving legal advice, and presenting cases in court.

Learn More: GovCentral & BLS.gov

Search for paralegal jobs

Next Industry: Administration/Program Management

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Logistics Management at the Department of Army

Projected Hiring – 17,287

Transport your specialized knowledge of logistics to this outstanding career opportunity. In this occupation you may supervise, lead or perform duties concerned with providing logistical support to an assigned organization. Your duties may include planning, coordinating or evaluating logistical actions in support of a specific mission. Additional duties may include identifying the specific requirements for money, manpower, material, facilities and services that are needed to support the program and correlate these requirements with program plans to assure that the needed support is provided at the correct time and place. You may also function as the overall manager of the logistical effort. To do this work, you must possess knowledge of planning, funding, and management information systems as well as a broad knowledge of the organization and the functions involved in logistical support and the ability to coordinate the efforts of functional specialists. Set your goals high and plan your approach. (courtesy usajobs.gov)

Search for Logistic Management Jobs

Next Industry: Accounting and Budget

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Internal Revenue Agent at IRS

Projected Hiring – 16,664

Revenue agents are proactive decision makers, working with individual taxpayers, businesses, and the legal and financial communities. They conduct examinations in the field environment, requiring them to travel. They work regularly with taxpayers, their representatives, certified public accountants and tax attorneys.

The IRS is on a huge hiring push right now.

Learn More: IRS.gov

Search for IRS jobs

Next Industry: Information Technology

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IT Manager at Any Federal Agency

Projected Hiring – 11,549

Computer and information systems managers direct the work of systems analysts, computer programmers, support specialists, and other computer-related workers. These managers plan and coordinate installation and upgrading of hardware and software, programming and systems design, development of computer networks, and implementation of Internet and intranet sites. They’re increasingly involved with the upkeep, maintenance, and security of networks. They analyze the computer and information needs of their organizations and determine immediate and long-range personnel and equipment requirements. They assign and review the work of their subordinates and stay abreast of the latest technology to ensure the organization doesn’t lag behind competitors.

Learn More: GovCentral

Search for Information Technology Jobs

Next Industry: Business and Industry

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Contract Specialist at Customs and Border Patrol (DHS)

Projected Hiring – 10,765

CBP contract specialists solicit, negotiates, administers, closes-out and terminates purchase orders and contracts. A wide variety of commodities are acquired including furniture, telecommunication equipment, ammunition, surveillance equipment, and various services and maintenance efforts. Additional duties may include developing, implementing and reviewing contracting plans for pre-award, post-award, price/cost analysis and a wide variety of procurement activities. You will also be responsible for providing technical advice, guidance and legal interpretation in all areas of contracting.

Learn More: Customs and Border Patrol

Search for Contract Specialist Jobs

Next Industry: Engineering

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Electrical Engineering At Department of Energy

Projected Hiring – 10,642

It was federal engineers who:

Made it possible for humankind to travel in space and for spacecraft to explore the universe

Planned and completed the reconstruction of damaged proportions of the Pentagon within one year of the attack

Arrested a cholera epidemic in India and developed wastewater treatment systems in Third World countries

Developed hydroelectric power and new methods of flood control on the nation’s rivers

(courtesy: Partnership for Public Service)

Learn More: BLS.gov

Search for Engineering Jobs

Next Industry: Transportation

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Airway Transportation Systems Specialist at FAA

If you think that fixing critical communications equipment at an airport that lands 120 planes an hour is exciting, this is the job for you. In these positions you will be responsible for installing, testing, troubleshooting, repairing and certifying radar, communications equipment, navigational aids, airport lighting, backup power — everything air traffic controllers and pilots use for safe flight — to ensure that all systems are working properly. Duties also include maintenance of airway facility systems. You will work indoors, outdoors and travel throughout our nation connecting our systems to keep air travel safe. Source: FAA

Learn More at FAA.gov

Search for Systems Specialist Jobs

Get Started! Read Ten Steps to Getting a Government Job

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

GovCentral — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:15:00 -0700

Source: FAA.gov

Electrical Engineers

GovCentral — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:13:00 -0700

Engineers apply the principles of science and mathematics to develop economical solutions to technical problems. Their work is the link between scientific discoveries and the commercial applications that meet societal and consumer needs.

More information can be found at BLS.gov

Contract Specialist

GovCentral — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:10:00 -0700

At the Customs and Border Patrol, contract specialists solicit, negotiates, administers, closes-out and terminates purchase orders and contracts. A wide variety of commodities are acquired including furniture, telecommunication equipment, ammunition, surveillance equipment, and various services and maintenance efforts. Additional duties may include developing, implementing and reviewing contracting plans for pre-award, post-award, price/cost analysis and a wide variety of procurement activities. You will also be responsible for providing technical advice, guidance and legal interpretation in all areas of contracting.

More information can be found at: BLS.gov

Paralegal

GovCentral — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:06:00 -0700

More Information at: BLS.gov

Fast Track Your Career at a Fed Job Fair

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:42:00 -0700

WASHINGTON -- We. Are. Hiring. Reassuring words to hear, especially when the economy is still giving mixed signals. On Thursday, hundreds of job seekers and dozens of employers participated in Monster's Keep America Working tour stop in Vienna, VA, outside of Washington D.C.

Since March, the Keep America Working tour has canvased the country connecting employers who are ready to hire immediately with high-quality job seekers. The tour is free for job seekers and will last through the end of the year. Find the next KAW tour stop in your area.

Of the 20-30 employers booths, but I was most interested in the four federal agencies who were in attendance and wanted to see what jobs they currently had open..

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The booths manned by the Department of Homeland Security, United States Postal Service, Federal Bureau of Investigations, and the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (The Fed) received a lot of attention while I was visiting the event. This was a wise move for a job seeker.

As we reported last week, the Partnership for Public Service, in their "Where the Jobs Are" report, expects over 600,000 new hires by the end of 2012. DHS is projected to hire for 65,730 mission-critical positions in that time. The Department of Justice, which the FBI is a part of, is projected to hire 18,767 employees. More specifically, DHS as well as the FBI are looking for contract and acquisition specialists to help write, mangage, review, and procure millions of dollars in federal contracts. The Fed and USPS were not included in the projections.

Speaking to a representative with the Postal Service, he indicated they are hiring for marketing positions as well as a variety of engineering jobs.

I wasn't able to speak with the Fed, but according to their website, they are openings for economists, attorney's, and law enforcement professionals.

Rep. Jerry Connoly (D-VA) who represents the Vienna area, sent staff to the event to provide information about the constituent services they provide. Members of Congress aren't allowed to assist your government job search, but they can help you navigate the federal bureaucracy if you are in need of, and have been unable to receive, veterans benefits, medicare, medicaid, etc. These consituent services are provided by all members of Congress. You can look up your representative at http://www.house.gov/.

Read on to learn tips to fast track your career at job fairs

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Here are a few tips Monster has passed along to Fast Track Your Career at a Fed Job Fair:

Refresh your resume and make copies

Having an update to date resume is important obviously. Try your best to keep it under one-page.
Read our Federal KSA Writing Guide for tips on how to prepare your KSA for a federal application.

Dress professionally

With such little time to make an impression towards a potential employer, it is important you look your best. For Men: Sport jacket with shirt and tie. For Women: knee-length skirt and appropriate top. Most public servants and government employees dress in professional clothes every day. If you don't have a suit at home, there may be services in your area that can provide a suit for you:

http://www.careerwardrobe.org/

http://www.dressforsuccess.org/

http://www.careergear.org/

Prepare your elevator speech

What makes you, well YOU! This isn't an easy question to ask as you may be shy about highlighting your achievements. You may even be embarrassed or think you're foolish to talk about previous workplace success if you searching for a new career. With
All of this is ballyhoo. Having a strong pitch demonstrates that you are comfortable in who you are what value you can provide a company. As important as it is to understand your strengths, it's equally important to be aware of your weaknesses. Here's a quick way to break this down. It'll take you 10 minutes tops:

Grab a sheet of paper

Title it with the position you are interested in

Fold/draw a line in the middle.

On the left side, write down what you think are your strengths or previous experience for the job in question.

On the right side, write down the tasks, skills that may not be your strength, or are things that don't appeal to you about this position.

Once you have this done, practice what you are going to say. The more comfortable you are, the more confident you will become.

Smile -- wear your positive attitude

Being positive is all that matters. According to happier.com, happy people have less anxiety and depression. Happier.com provides tools to help you track your happiness and increase your resiliency. Having a positive outlook can give you a leg up on the competition.

Bring a pad of paper and take notes

If you attend a Keep America Working event, Monster has career guides available to give tips to help you shine. But it's always important to be able to jot down notes, names, emails, and phone numbers of the people you met while at a career fair.

This Week's Federal Player: Walter Benjamin Fisherow

The Parnership for Public Service via The Washington Post — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:44:00 -0700

Walter Benjamin Fisherow is a seasoned litigator and environmental warrior whose diplomatic style has brought powerful polluters to the settlement table and helped make our air safer to breathe.

Since joining the Department of Justice (DOJ) in 1987, Fisherow has overseen dozens of government lawyers whose work has helped rid America’s atmosphere of two million tons of toxic pollutants generated by coal-fired power plants each year. His work in enforcing the Clean Air Act has resulted in some of the largest environmental settlements ever.

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“These settlements take such a large amount of that bad stuff out of the air that you go to sleep at night truly believing that your job matters. You have an impact on people’s lives,” Fisherow said. “That is very satisfying. To go to bed thinking, ‘wow, I have impacted 300 million people.’”

It was in 1999 that Fisherow first assembled a team of DOJ attorneys that launched a series of actions against utilities whose coal-fired power plants were emitting massive quantities of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides into the air. The emissions can cause asthma and other health effects, particularly in children and the elderly, and contribute to acid rain and smog that cloud our skies and damage forests.

His leadership has resulted in 16 settlements with electric utilities, the installation of more than $11 billion worth of air pollution control equipment and a drastic reduction in harmful air pollutants each year. The effort is ongoing.

Fisherow’s crowning achievement was leading the government team that achieved the 2007 settlement with American Electric Power (AEP), a utility that agreed to invest $4.6 billion on cleaner coal-burning technologies, pay a record $15 million fine and spend $60 million to mitigate damage to the environment. The result was the elimination of 813,000 tons of air pollutants each year.

The AEP case remains the largest civil environmental enforcement case ever brought by the federal government, involving dozens of government lawyers, 50,000 lawyer-hours and millions of documents.

Fisherow’s colleagues describe him as a motivational force at the helm of a concerted effort to protect the environment, but also as a commander who wields the awesome power of federal legal forces fairly and inspires his troops with good humor and charm.

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“They are against the top law firms in the nation and Ben is like the general in the war room. He’s motivating people, helping them along and inspiring them,” Justin Smith, an assistant section chief in DOJ’s Environment and Natural Resources Division, said.
At the same time, Fisherow’s leadership style is hardly authoritarian. “He’s the one that will make a little comment on the side in a stressful situation that will give you a belly laugh,” Smith said.

Fisherow’s success is also notable because he took on an industry that has historically had strong ties to government. Fisherow used his considerable skills as a negotiator to convince both the administration and the polluters to accept cleaner coal-burning alternatives.

“He did it repeatedly. He personally led the settlement negotiations for most of the cases. When you are handling a negotiation, you not only represent the government at your best, but you have to be willing to listen to the people on the other side of the table and to find common meeting ground that can be the basis of a settlement that avoids further litigation,” Catherine McCabe, acting assistant administrator for the Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance at the Environmental Protection Agency, said.

“They don’t come better than Ben. He has a presence. He commands respect,” Bruce Gelber, chief of the DOJ’s Environmental Enforcement Section, said.

It’s not just Ben Fisherow’s presence that commands respect. It’s his track record as an enforcer of federal environmental laws, which is unsurpassed across government.

---

Is Your Job-Seeking Behavior Proactive or Just Plain Desperate?

Margot Carmichael Lester, Monster Contributing Writer — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 04:54:00 -0700

If you’ve been unemployed for a while, you may be feeling a little desperate. But letting that show during your job search can be the kiss of death. So what exactly distinguishes desperate job search behavior from proactive behavior -- and how can you avoid the former?

“When candidates are feeling desperate, negative or cynical, the employer can smell it a mile away,” says Ford Myers, author of Get the Job You Want Even When No One’s Hiring. “Desperation is a total turnoff. Instead of opening more doors for the job seeker, these behaviors close doors to new opportunities.”

We asked hiring managers and others to share their experiences with desperate job seekers and offer tips on how to avoid crossing the line.

Blatant Self-Promotion

A 2009 La Salle University graduate has gotten a lot of media coverage -- but not yet a job -- by handing out his resume to people passing in cars in Philadelphia. Bad idea, Myers says. “Don’t spread a resume around like confetti,” he says. “It will give the impression that you’re begging for any job. And what sort of hiring manager wants a candidate like that?”

Instead, Myers advises job seekers to approach their search by changing the conversation from “I need a job” to “I can solve problems for your business.” Stymied job seekers would be wise to step back and take stock of their true value in the working world. “This boosts the confidence of candidates, and positions them to behave more professionally and appropriately,” he says. “If job seekers are unable to identify and articulate their value, a good career coach can help prepare and package them for a much more effective search experience.”

Extreme Follow Up

Jeff Vaught, president of Transition Essentials, a career consulting firm in Orion Township, Michigan, remembers being hounded by a desperate job seeker a few years ago. “Only a few hours after setting up the interview, the candidate called to confirm,” he recalls. “And then again at midnight that same day, leaving a voice mail that they were ‘too excited to sleep.’ It didn’t end there, though -- they also called again at 7:30 a.m. the next morning.”

Vaught canceled the interview and didn’t reschedule. “The lack of common sense of appropriate business etiquette made it difficult to imagine them working for the company,” he says. “The desperation raised a lot of red flags.”

A better approach would have been to make one follow-up call to confirm the interview -- ideally, first thing the morning of the appointment. “That would have shown a better sense of etiquette as well as a concern for my schedule,” Vaught notes. “Overall this would have shown an individual who was being professional and enthusiastic about the position without crossing the line to desperation mode.”

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Crazy Talk at the Interview

When you do meet potential employers, be mindful of how you present yourself, cautions Richard Laermer, CEO of New York City-based RLM PR. “Language is everything,” he says. “People act as though they are being cute, and so they say what they think we want to hear instead of what distinguishes them from the crowd. It’s all the adorable ways folks say ‘I’m so perfect for you.’ I can’t take them seriously.”

Here are some lines Laermer has heard over the years:

• “If you hire me, I’ll do anything -- and I mean anything -- to make this work!”
• “It’s true that every journey starts with a cute pair of shoes -- and I have that pair!”
• “My whole life has been leading to this job. Let’s do it.”
• “I’m a future star -- why shouldn’t you have the advantage first?”

What he does take seriously, though, is straight talk. “If you know why you’re good, show me, don’t tell me,” he says. Provide quantifiable examples of how you could help the business meet goals. “Those who explain themselves in a cool and deliberate way get my attention,” he says.

Toeing the fine line between being proactive and seeming desperate can be tough, but staying on the proactive side is crucial to job search success.

“It’s a fact that assertive rules the day, and especially in hard times,” Laermer says. “But, man, some of the things people [do] to get attention are shocking. And I wonder who taught them that. You can already see how much training they’re going to need to get into shape. Why would we call them in?”

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See the original at Monster.com

Top 50 In-Demand Federal Jobs (August 2009)

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:29:00 -0700

August's Most In Demand Fed Jobs

Occupations with Top Number of Federal Job Openings

As of August 26, USAJobs.gov has listed these occupations as the top in demand jobs in the last calendar month. Below you’ll find the USAJobs data, as well as other key information to land one of these federal jobs.

Many of these jobs require additional degrees or training. Find out where you can get the degree to succeed.

Search postings on GovCentral

In the month of August, the top 5 positions are:

Office Clerk/Assistant

Administration & Program Staff

Information Technology Management Specialist

Management and Program Analyst

Contract Specialist

Next Page: Office Clerk/Assistant

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Office Clerk / Assistant

Postings: 5090

Examples of Office Clerk / Assistant Jobs: Hotel Desk Clerk with the Army, Test Administrator at the Office of Personnel Management, or a Program Support Clerk at the U.S. Forest Service.

Pay: Between $15,000 to $50,000 depending on experience and education (source USAJOBS)

Locations: Nationwide as well as internationally on U.S. Military bases.

Skills Required: Attention to Detail; Assisting staff in compiling and preparing materials; Reviewing documents and performing data entry.

Education Required: Some positions are available with a high school diploma or GED though if you want a higher paying position, and advanced degree is necessary. Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

Search for Office Clerk / Assistant jobs

Next Page: Administration & Program Staff

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Administration & Program Staff

Postings: 4639

Examples: Science & Technology Manager, Mission Support Specialist, Partnership Coordinator, Senior Security Researcher

Pay: $45,000 and up based on previous experience and education.

Locations: Throughout the Nation with many positions available in the Washington, D.C. area.

Skills Required: Deep and broad understanding of a subject (ie science, technology, health care, etc.); Advanced research skills; Understanding of budgeting process and data management.

Education Required: A undergraduate degree is necessary for these positions and in many cases a Master's Degree in a specialized field will greatly increase your chances of success. Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

Search for Administration and Program Staff jobs

Next Page: Information Technology Management Specialist

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Information Technology Management Specialist

Postings:4393

The U.S. Navy and Defence Finance & Accounting Service is on an aggressive hiring schedule for these positions

Pay: Between $40,000 to $172,000

Locations: Throughout the Nation

Job Summary: Expand your knowledge while working on the cutting edge of information technology. In this occupation you may supervise, lead or perform duties that pertain to one or combination of the following areas: policy and planning, security, systems analysis, applications software, operating systems, network services, data management, internet, systems administration or customer support. Your future career opportunity is just clicks away -- apply now. When applying, be sure to address your experience and knowledge in any of the areas identified above. (courtesy USAJOBS)

Education Required: An IT or computer related degree. Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

Other Requirements: Background and/or Security Investigation

Search for Information Technology Management Specialist Jobs

Next Page: Management and Program Analyst

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Management and Program Analyst

Postings: 3630

Pay: Between $40,000 to $165,000 dependent on education and previous experience

Locations: Througout the Nation

Job Summary: Do you enjoy immersing yourself in the details of how administrative and management processes are performed and may be improved? In this occupation you may supervise, lead or perform a variety of duties concerned with the evaluation of the effectiveness of our programs and operations. You may also be assigned to study a variety of administrative or management functions in an effort to increase their productivity and effectiveness. To be successful, you must be adept at fact-finding and investigative techniques and possess solid interpersonal and communication skills. Serve as a key player in our continual effort to improve our operations and programs. (courtesy USAJOBS)

Skills Required: For example, a Program Analyst at the Department of Defense may be expected to have specialized experience in: Researching laws, directives, regulations studies and reports to gain knowledge and understanding of the subject area being reviewed. Develops and writes project guides to define evaluative objectives, methods, and scope as it relates to the project. Prepares well researched fact sheets that address priority issues and project requirements.

Education Required: An undergraduate degree is pretty much required, though an Advanced Degree will increase your chances on getting the job. Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

Other Requirements: Background and/or Security Investigation

Search for Management and Program Analyst Jobs

Next Page: Contract Specialist

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Contract Specialist

Postings: 2364

Examples: Contract Specialists exist wherever a Federal Department or Agencies interacts with government contractors.

Pay: $46,000 to $96,000

Locations: Throughout the Nation

Major Duties of a Contract Specialist:

Formulates contracts through competitive and noncompetitive negotiated or formally advertised procurement procedures. Executes contract documents. Determines responsiveness and responsibility of prospective offers and responds to inquiries. Administers contracts by monitoring costs and progress, protecting the Government's rights, enforcing all terms and conditions, negotiating modifications and issuing change orders, and ensuring all actions are properly closed out. Terminates contracts when required. Conducts legal research for support on decisions on protests, disputes, and claims. Performs cost and price analysis functions on both competitive and noncompetitive actions. Provides guidance to field offices on procurement matters.

Education Required: Yep...a four-year degree is a basic requirement. Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

Search for Contract Specialist Jobs

See the rest of the top 10

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Nurse
Postings: 2302

Search for Nurse Jobs

Secretary
Postings: 2147

Search for Secretary Jobs

Medical Officer
Postings: 1831

Search for Medical Officer Jobs

Business and Industry Specialist
Postings: 1728

Search for Business and Industry Specialist Jobs

Human Resources Specialist
Postings: 1685

Search for Human Resources Specialist Jobs

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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11-20

Engineer, General
Postings: 1533

Search for Engineer, General Jobs

Human Resources Assistant
Postings: 1436

Search for Human Resources Assistant Jobs

Social Insurance Specialist
Postings: 1164

Search for Social Insurance Specialist Jobs

Engineer, Civil
Postings: 1155

Search for Biological and Natural Resources Jobs

General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance
Postings: 1144

Search for General Inspection, Investigation, Enforcement, and Compliance Jobs

Biological and Natural Resources
Postings: 1043

Search for Biological and Natural Resources Jobs

Logistics Management Specialist
Postings: 1033

Search for Logistics Management Specialist Jobs

Financial Administrator
Postings: 1009

Search for Financial Administrator Jobs

Engineer, Fire Prevention
Postings: 997

Search for Engineer, Fire Prevention Jobs

Contact Representative
Postings: 992

Search for Contact Representative Jobs

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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21-30

Payroll Clerk, Military
Postings: 955

Search for Payroll Clerk, Military Jobs

Search USA Jobs for Military Payroll Clerk jobs

Compliance Inspection/support Positions
Postings: 905

Search for Compliance Inspection/support Positions Jobs

Budget Analyst
Postings: 904

Search for Budget Analyst Jobs

Legal Assistant
Postings: 895

Search for Legal Assistant Jobs

Engineer, Mechanical
Postings: 892

Search for Engineer, Mechanical Jobs

Health Aid / Technician
Postings: 883

Search for Health Aid / Technician Jobs

Physical Scientist, General
Postings: 877

Search for Physical Scientist, General Jobs

Office Automation Clerk / Assistant
Postings: 853

Search for Office Automation Clerk / Assistant Jobs

Auditor
Postings: 833

Search for Auditor Jobs

Legal and Kindred
Postings: 820

Search for Legal and Kindred Jobs

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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31-40

Supply Clerk / Technician
Postings: 782

Search for Supply Clerk / Technician Jobs

Engineer, Electrical
Postings: 780

Search for Engineer, Electrical Jobs

Medical Support Assistant
Postings: 744

Search for Medical Support Assistant Jobs

Security Administrator
Postings: 742

Search for Security Administrator Jobs

Engineering Technician
Postings: 727

Search for Engineering Technician Jobs

Accountant
Postings: 718

Search for Accountant Jobs

Engineer, Electronics
Postings: 713

Search for Engineer, Electronics Jobs

Program Manager
Postings: 710

Search for Program Manager Jobs

Nurse, Practical
Postings: 694

Search for Nurse, Practical Jobs

Intelligence Analyst / Specialist
Postings: 671

Search for Intelligence Analyst, Specialist Jobs

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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41-50

Accounting Clerk / Technician
Postings: 669

Search for Accounting Clerk / Technician Jobs

Social Worker
Postings: 652

Search for Social Worker Jobs

Educational and Training Program Specialist
Postings: 636

Search for Educational and Training Program Specialist Jobs

Psychologist
Postings: 618

Search for Psychologist Jobs

Social Science Specialist
Postings: 603

Search for Social Science Specialist Jobs

Materials Handler
Postings: 601

Search for Materials Handler Jobs

Forestry Technician
Postings: 593

Search for Forestry Technician Jobs

Maintenance Mechanic
Postings: 576

Search for Maintenance Mechanic Jobs

Engineer, Environmental
Postings: 557

Search for Engineer, Environmental Jobs

Financial Clerk / Assistant
Postings: 551

Search for Financial Clerk / Assistant Jobs

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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Lose the Cube: More Outdoor Government Careers

Chris McConnell | GovCentral — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:27:00 -0700

In our second installment of our ongoing series Lose the Cube: Outdoor Government Jobs we're focusing specifically on careers at the Department of the Interior.

A Brief History

The Department of Interior was established in 1849 on the eve of President Zachary Taylor's inauguration. The Department focuses on natural resource management as well as wildlife conservation. Today the Department manages over 507 million acres, which is about one-fifth of the total land mass of the United States. It manages 476 dams and 348 reservoirs through the Bureau of Reclamation, 388 national parks, monuments, seashore sites, etc. through the National Park Service, and 544 national wildlife refuges through the Fish and Wildlife Service. Energy projects on federally managed lands and offshore areas supply about 28 percent of the nation's energy production.

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(courtesy DOI.gov and Wikipedia)

Some of the careers we are exploring include: Archaeologists, Recreation Assistants, Historians, Realty Specialists, and Fish Biologists

Read on and enjoy the possibilities of the great outdoors.

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Job Title

Archaeologist

Department

Department of the Interior

Agency

Bureau of Land Management

Description

Preserve the history of our natural resources. Archaeology aids and
technicians assist professional resource specialists with on-the-
ground field studies to identify cultural, historical, and/or
paleontological resources. Work may involve designing and conducting
inventories; compiling and interpreting collected data; researching
reference materials; writing reports on inventory activities; or
preparing documents for determination of eligibility to the National
Register of Historic Places.

The work is performed outdoors in rugged terrain; to include very
steep, wet, muddy, rough, uneven or rocky surfaces; positions
require physical exertions, such as, bending, crouching, stooping,
stretching, reaching, or similar activities. Individuals should be
capable of working alone, or with other people, during early morning
hours, night, or during the day.

Qualifications/Education

To be a full fledged Archaeologist, you'll need at minimum an Undergraduate Degree in Archelogy or a related field like Anthropolgy. Many people start out as Archaeology Technicians and work their way up.

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Pay

Technicians start anywhere from a GS-3 to a GS-7 depending on previous work and education experience. For the 2010 Fiscal Year, this is projected to be between $21,947 to $34,147 starting out. Congress is still debating the pay increase. The salary may increase based on the locality of the position.

Search for Archaeology Jobs

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Job Title

Recreation Aid/Assistant

Department

Department of the Interior

Agency

Bureau of Land Management

Description

Recreation Aids and Technicians perform a wide range of duties in
support of the Bureau's recreation program: assisting in
inventories, evaluating visitor patterns, preparing and maintaining
recreation sites, briefing visitors and answering their questions,
or conducting visitor patrols on land and water, responding to
emergency situations, and administering first aid/CPR. Litter
removal from campgrounds and recreation facilities, hoses down
toilets and routine maintenance on signs, etc. Requires weekend
field work; work is performed in an outdoor environment and may
involve rough terrain.

Qualifications/Education

To qualify as a Recreation Aid, you'll need to have some work experience and a high school diploma or GED. To qualify as a Recreation Assistant, a college degree and experience working a summer camp or as a river guide will greatly improve your chances of getting hired. Sometimes these are seasonal jobs that last six months. A great way to find out if this is the type of career you want to have.

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Pay

GS-2 to GS-7. For the 2010 Fiscal Year this is projected to be between 9.18 - 20.26 USD /hour. Congress is still debating the pay increase. The salary may vary based on the locality of the position.

Search for Jobs

Search for Recreation Assistant jobs

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Job Title

Historian

Department

Department of the Interior

Agency

National Park Service

Description

Historians at the National Park Service provide expert advice and guidance on to many programs including Technical Services Preservation as well as oversee and administer the policy, direction, long-range planning, goals and operations of the specific aspects of the preservation plan for the National Park Service.

Qualifications/Education

Historians will be expected to have a specific undergraduate degree in a field like art or architecture as well as a minimum of 1-5 years in the field. For higher level positions, specialized experience in the field is expected. This would mean serving in a History department of a high school or University or running a local historic preservation center in your hometown.

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Pay

GS-9 to GS-11 For the 2010 Fiscal Year this is projected to be between $51,219 and $133,543. Congress is still debating the pay increase. The salary may increase based on the locality of the position.

Search for Jobs

Search for Historian jobs

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Job Title

Realty Specialist

Department

Department of the Interior

Agency

Bureau of Land Management

Description

A Bureau Realty Specialist is responsible for the acquisition, disposal, and/or management of real property assets, and in the investigation and resolution of the most complex and involved problems having possible economic, social, or political impact upon the Bureau, the Agency, other agencies, the community and/or the environment.

Do you ever wonder why telephone lines and power lines cross where they do, or why some lands are owned by private individuals and others by the public? If so, you might like to become a realty specialist. A BLM realty specialist helps to provide use of public land through rights-of-way, leases, easements and permits. Lands are also patented (ownership is transferred) through sales and exchanges. A realty specialist gathers information about many uses of the public lands, such as wildlife, range, recreation, minerals, etc., and evaluates how these uses would be affected by a proposed action such as granting a right-of-way or exchanging lands. As part of his or her job, a realty specialist may work with the public, members of Congress, commercial land users, and others on issues related to public land use or disposal, land ownership, access, property boundary surveys, and public land titles and records. A college degree is not required to become a realty specialist; however, college courses in business, real estate, English, and natural resources are recommended. High school courses in English, speech, math, and earth sciences are also helpful to anyone considering a career as a realty specialist. (Information Courtesy BLM)

Qualifications/Education

Previous experience in Real Estate is pretty much required. Experience in commercial real estate, ie office space, warehouses, etc., will put you at an advantage over other candidates.

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Pay

For the 2010 Fiscal Year this is projected to be between $72,465.00 and $ 94,200.00. Congress is still debating the pay increase. The salary may vary based on the locality of the position.

Search for Jobs

Search for open positions as a Realty Specialist

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Job Title

Fish Biologist

Department

Department of the Interior

Agency

Bureau of Reclamation

Description

Reclamation is a contemporary water management agency striving to
assist in meeting the increasing water demands of the West while
protecting the environment. Reclamation is best known for the
construction of dams, power plants, and canals, including Hoover Dam
on the Colorado River, Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River.
Today, we are the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the
second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the western United
States generating nearly a billion dollars in power revenues.

Fish Biologists help carry out the mission of the Bureau of Reclamation through the collection and analyzing biological data and preparing reports. They also recommend designs on planning, construction, and operation and
maintenance projects in order to protect and enhance aquatic
resources.

Qualifications/Education

At minimum a Bachelor's Degree is required to qualify as a fish biologist, though an advanced Master's Degree is required for positions listed at GS-9 and above.

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Pay

GS-9 to GS-11. For the 2010 Fiscal Year this is projected to be between $41,768 to $50,535. Congress is still debating the pay increase. The salary may increase based on the locality of the position.

Search for Jobs

Search for Fish Biologist jobs

Tips for Finding a Green Collar Job

Kath Ladipo | Guest Writer — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 15:04:00 -0700

Beneath the embers of the present day “gloom and doom” of the traditional job market flickers a new and thriving “Green Collar” job (GCJ) market. In some American towns and cities, GCJs abound. When it happens in your town, will you be ready?

What is a GCJ?

A GCJ describes locally-based employment that provides decent livable wages and opportunities for career and professional growth in an occupation that directly contributes to environmental preservation and enhancement. If any one of these factors is excluded, the job is not a GCJ.

What types are jobs are GCJs?

In many cases, GCJs are existing jobs that are being recast or expanded to reflect the demand for environmentally friendly products and services. In other cases, the job has never before existed. Examples of GCJs are: construction workers, truck drivers, sheet metal workers, machinists, environmental engineers, industrial production managers, automobile engineers and designers, mass transit employees at all levels, energy auditors, wind and turbine machinist, carpenters, roofers, building inspectors, solar panel installers, and water quality consultants.

How to snag a Green Collar Job

If GCJs are appealing, below is list of steps that can help you secure that goal:

Educate yourself about environmental issues and the steps, programs goals and initiatives being launched by the local, State and Federal governments to address this issues.

Familiarize yourself with the lingo and unmask the myth of green collar jobs

Research and monitor the Internet for resources that discuss trends, list job opportunities, and provide access to “green” company profiles.

Make a decision about what career path would make a good fit for you.

Contact “green” organizations and local employment agencies to inquire about and enroll in GCJ training and certification programs that match your interests.

Attend “green” social or political events and job fairs for the purpose of establishing a social and professional “green” network.

Go Direct! Volunteer with a “green” nonprofit or become an intern for a “green” company to gain experience in your chose field.

Identify, explore, and take advantage of pre-apprenticeship programs to more knowledge about all things “green” without going back to school.

Finally, if you do not already have it, develop a strong conviction for protecting the environment, as this may be the only thing that separates you from the competition.

More reading and studies about Green Collar Jobs:

(PDF) Green Cities: A Living Cities Report

(PDF) Green Cities Analysis of Berkley, CA

(PDF) Green-Collar Jobs in America's Cities

How I Got the Job: Katie DeCelles, 24

Sue Dye Babson, special to The Kansas City Star (via YellowBrix) — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:54:00 -0700

*The job:* Program analyst

*The employer:* The Kansas City Regional Financial Center is one of four Financial Management Service processing centers throughout the country. The Financial Management Service, a bureau of the United States Department of the Treasury, provides central payment services to federal program agencies. FMS also operates the federal government’s collections and deposit systems, provides government-wide accounting and reporting services and manages the collection of delinquent debt owed to the government.

*My role:* I am part of the two-year Federal Career Intern Program. Because of this “internship” status, I have the opportunity to take advantage of a lot of internal training while pursuing my career here.

My job responsibilities include being part of a project team lead group for Payment Application Modernization, an effort to make the current payment system more up-to-date. I also assist the senior project analyst with tasks such as maintaining our project budget, travel expenses and transcribing minutes for several key meetings — just to name a few. I am learning as much as I can. Working for the government requires you to carry around a glossary of acronyms for awhile so you know what everyone is talking about!

*How long have you been in this position?*

Since April 2009.

*How did you find your job?*

While studying the last few months at the South Kansas City campus of DeVry University, I took advantage of DeVry’s incredible career services department. I had a great career counselor who was constantly e-mailing me career opportunities. When I was sent information about this position in November 2008, I applied. It was a long process.

The first step was to mail in a packet that included the application, my resume and an outline of my skills. About a month later, I got an e-mail asking me to complete a questionnaire online. About another month later, I interviewed with a panel that included the project manager, senior analyst and training coordinator.

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After another month, I had a lunch interview with the director of the Kansas City Regional Financial Center, the deputy director and the project manager. After completing the security clearance, I was offered the job by the headquarters office in Washington, D.C.

It worked out perfectly for me since I was graduating in March and had a current job that I was having to part with.

*What helped the most in the job search?*

Having a great advocate (my career counselor) who has resources.

*What is your best advice for others in the job search?*

Consider working for the government. You can search jobs at usajobs.gov. The process does take some time, but if you can get a temporary job just to keep your family afloat until the government job pulls through, it will be well worth the wait. Also, make a great first impression by personally handing in your resume if possible; it’s best if you can hand it to the hiring manager. Or, go directly to an employer’s Web site and apply that way.

*What is your educational experience?*

I have a bachelor’s degree in business, with a concentration in human resources, from Kansas City’s DeVry University (March 2009). I graduated from DeVry while working full-time at an apartment complex. I learned a lot about hard work while taking on such a demanding work and school load at the same time. I am so glad I did it that way, though, because school feels more like an accomplishment since it was challenging for me.

*Is there anything else you would like to share related to the job search?*

Improve your resume. Research online for good resumes, or go to a school like DeVry and ask for resume examples and copy the format. It should be organized by the order of importance, be appealing to look at and showcase you in three seconds. I recommend adding a skills section under your school completion section that highlights all the skill sets the employer is looking for. However, try not to be too generic. Highlight skills that pertain to the job you are applying for, such as computer skills, communication skills, leadership skills, etc. Bold the important words so when they glance at it in three seconds they can determine that you have an education, important skills — and boom — they throw your resume in a “follow up”pile.

*How does this job fit into your long-term career plans?*

I plan on being here or in the government the remainder of my working career. With the government, I have an incredible career advancement opportunity that can take me as far as I want with the help of hard work and dedication.

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See the original at The Kansas City Star

Sue Dye Babson, special to The Star

GovCentral

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Highlights:

Click to search for current vacancies in your area.

Government Job Report - Top Hiring Federal Agencies (November 2009)

Click on the Agency to search for current available positions.

FURTHER READING

How to Become a Foreign Service Officer

Step Two - Submit Your Application/Register for the Foreign Service Officer Test

Step Three - Take the Foreign Service Officer Test

Step Four - Personal Narrative and Qualifications Evaluation Panel

Step Five - Oral Assessment

Travel the World on the Government Dime

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Dinah Cohen: Helping Wounded Veterans Re-Enter the Workforce

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10 Government Careers That Earn $70K+

Airway Transportation Systems Specialist

Electrical Engineers

Contract Specialist

Paralegal

Fast Track Your Career at a Fed Job Fair

This Week's Federal Player: Walter Benjamin Fisherow

Is Your Job-Seeking Behavior Proactive or Just Plain Desperate?

Top 50 In-Demand Federal Jobs (August 2009)

Office Clerk / Assistant

Administration & Program Staff

Information Technology Management Specialist

Management and Program Analyst

Contract Specialist

Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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Learn More: Top-Paying Government Degrees

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Lose the Cube: More Outdoor Government Careers

A Brief History

Job Title

Department

Agency

Description

Qualifications/Education

Pay

Job Title

Department

Agency

Description

Qualifications/Education

Pay

Search for Jobs

Job Title

Department

Agency

Description

Qualifications/Education

Pay

Search for Jobs

Job Title

Department

Agency

Description

Qualifications/Education

Pay

Search for Jobs

Job Title

Department

Agency

Description

Qualifications/Education

Pay

Search for Jobs

Tips for Finding a Green Collar Job

What is a GCJ?

How I Got the Job: Katie DeCelles, 24