Will I receive notification that you have received my application? Yes, you will receive a notice either by e-mail or hard copy that we have received your application. Your application will then go through several screenings, and you will be notified regarding the status of your application as it passes through the process.

What are the steps in the screening process?

Screening #1 is Basic Eligibility. We check to make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. If you don't meet the eligibility requirements listed in the vacancy announcement (such as U.S. citizen, lacking competitive status, etc.), we will notify you and you will not receive further consideration. If you do not receive this notification, it means that you have met the eligibility requirements and your application is being passed on for the next step in the process.

Screening #2 is Minimum Qualifications. This screening determines if you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position for which you have applied. These qualifications may include a professional degree, certification, or possession of a certain type of experience, and were listed in the vacancy announcement. If the information in your application does not demonstrate that you meet these requirements, you will not receive further consideration and we will notify you. If you have requested consideration for a grade level you do not qualify for, you will also receive notification at this point. If you meet the minimum qualification requirements for the position, you move on to the next step.

Screening #3 is Rating and Ranking. This screening involves reviewing your experience against experience descriptions of the most successful candidate. The information presented in your application is scored using a rating plan based on the knowledge, skill and abilities (KSA) statements, which were listed in the vacancy announcement. In order to pass this screening, you must receive a score which ranks you high enough to be among the group of applicants considered as “best-qualified” and referred to the selecting manager. This score is determined solely on the information presented in your application. You will be notified whether you are referred to the selecting manager or not. If you were not referred, your application will not receive further consideration.

How long does this process take? The timing can vary widely based on the number of applications received and other factors, but may take up to 4 to 6 weeks.

What happens after the selecting manager receives the applications? Managers have up to 90 days (from the time the list of applicants was referred to them) to make a selection. They are not required to interview all of the applicants that have been referred to them, and may choose to interview only selected applicants. Applicants that were referred to the selecting official will be notified when the selection decision has been made.