Finding Federal Jobs

1. Finding Federal Jobs by Maria Vicente Bonto-Kane http://www.marivicbontokane.com/research/mbontokaneDissertation2009.ppt North Carolina State University August 10, 2009

2. Background • PhD Candidate Computer Science • Internship • Computer Scientist, NAVAIR • Involved with giving software support for the C130, H46, and V22 tiltrotor aircraft

3. 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 Outline

4. Civilians working for the U.S. Government Federal Employment

5. 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

6. Controlled Unclassified Information Confidential Secret Top Secret Clearance Levels

7. 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 Controlled Unclassified Information

8. 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 Confidential

9. National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check Signed into law by Pres. Clinton NACLC

10. 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 Clearance

11. Access to “classified” information Secret Information Access

12. 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

13. Access to “classified” information Access to all other information at or below one’s level of clearance Top Secret Information Access

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

15. 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 Compartmented Information

16. Cryptography Overhead reconnaissance aircraft (UAV) or satellites (IMINT) Communications intelligence (SIGINT) Design or stockpile information about nuclear weapons Nuclear targeting Stealth technology Types of Compartmented Information

17. 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

18. NACLC Investigation SCI Investigation Fingerprints Polygraphs Requirements for Clearance

19. General Schedule (GS) Pay Scale National Security Personnel System (NSPS) Pay Scale Pay Scale

20. General Schedule Pay Scale

21. 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 Education Requirements

22. Standard Career Group Scientific and Engineering Career Group Investigative and Protective Services Career Group Medical Career Group NSPS Pay Bands

23. Standard Career Group

24. Scientific and Engineering Group

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 Benefits

28. Thank You!