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Finding Federal Jobs

by

Maria Vicente Bonto-Kane

North Carolina State UniversityNorth Carolina State University

August 10, 2009

http://www.marivicbontokane.com/research/mbontokaneDissertation2009.ppt

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Background

PhD Candidate Computer Science Internship Computer Scientist, NAVAIR Involved with giving software support for the

C130, H46, and V22 tiltrotor aircraft

Outline

Where are the federal jobs? How does one apply? What are the requirements? What is a clearance? What is the pay scale? What are the benefits? Pros and cons

Federal Employment

Civilians working for the U.S. Government

Clearance

A status granted to individuals allowing them access to state sensitive or classified information

Access to sensitive information is given on a need to know

There are many levels of access

Clearance Levels

Controlled Unclassified Information Confidential Secret Top Secret

Controlled Unclassified Information

Not a clearance Access to controlled but not

necessarily classified information Information is illegal to distribute Given to most US DoD employees Operational details of a non-critical

system

Confidential

Level 1 clearance Requires NACLC investigation

(National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check)

Takes 1-6 months of investigation May take up to 1 year to complete Background check up to 7 years in a

person’s past record Must be renewed every 15 years

NACLC

National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check

Signed into law by Pres. Clinton

Secret Clearance

Level 2 Requires NACLC investigation

(National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check)

Takes 6-12 months of investigation May take up to 2 years to complete Background check up to 10 years in a

person’s past record Must be renewed every 10 years

Secret Information Access

Access to “classified” information

Top Secret

Level 3 Requires SSBI investigation (Single

Scope Background Investigation) Takes 6-18 months investigation May take up to 3 years to complete Background check of up to 15 years

into a person’s past record Must be renewed every 5 years

Top Secret Information Access

Access to “classified” information Access to all other information at or

below one’s level of clearance

Eyes Only Clearance

Clearance reserved for officials in a high state of power such as US President or Defense Secretary

Compartmented Information

Requires Top Secret clearance (TS) Requires additional checks:

Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)

Special Access Program (SAP) Access granted to compartmented

information only Access granted for a brief period of

time

Types of Compartmented Information

Cryptography Overhead reconnaissance aircraft

(UAV) or satellites (IMINT) Communications intelligence (SIGINT) Design or stockpile information about

nuclear weapons Nuclear targeting Stealth technology

Requirements for Clearance

Most often US citizenship Detailed life history (SF86 or SF 85) Foreign travel Foreign ties (relatives, property, social

or political) Credit checks Felony checks Mental health checks

Requirements for Clearance

NACLC Investigation SCI Investigation Fingerprints Polygraphs

Pay Scale

General Schedule (GS) Pay Scale National Security Personnel System

(NSPS) Pay Scale

General Schedule Pay Scale

Education Requirements

GS1 – no requirements GS2 – high school diploma GS3 – 1 year beyond high school GS4 – 2 years college (AA degree) GS6 – 4 years college (BA or BS) GS9 – postgraduate (MS or MS) GS11 – PhD degree or 3 years credits GS12 – Research positions GS 13-14-15 – highly specialized experience

NSPS Pay Bands

Standard Career Group Scientific and Engineering Career

Group Investigative and Protective Services

Career Group Medical Career Group

Standard Career Group

Scientific and Engineering Group

Benefits

Retirement Pay (FERS) Life Insurance (FEGLI) Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

(FEHB) Long Term Care Insurance Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Leave days:

Sick Leave (13 days) Annual Leave (13, 20 or 26 days per year) Holidays (10 days)

Benefits

Family Friendly Benefits Flexible work schedule Telecommuting Family Friendly Leave Part-time and Job-Sharing options Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Child and Elder Care resources Child Care subsidy program

Benefits

Recruitment Bonus 25% of basic pay for difficult to fill positions

Relocation Bonus 25% of basic pay

Retention Allowance 25% of basic pay to departing employees

Employee Development Career Resource Centers Training Opportunities (certificate and degrees)

Student Loan Repayment

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Thank You!