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Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program 2022

Posted on by Dennis Damp

The PMF Class of 2022 Application will open at Noon (Eastern Time), Tuesday, September 28, 2021, and close at Noon (Eastern Time), Tuesday, October 12, 2021. The announcement will be posted on October 28th.

The PMF Program is a leadership development program at the entry level for advanced degree candidates. It was created more than three decades ago by Executive Order and has gone through many changes over the years. The Program attracts and selects the best candidates possible and was designed to develop a cadre of potential government leaders. It provides some sustenance during the first years of employment and encourages development of leadership capabilities.

Eligible individuals apply to be selected as Finalists. Finalists then have 12 months to secure a PMF appointment, which is a two-year, full-time, paid fellowship at a federal agency. The PMF Program creates a lasting bond among Fellows and Alumni, and instills a spirit of public service, which, for Fellows who complete the program successfully, can ultimately encourage and lead to a career in government. The PMF Program is one of three Pathways Programs

For the 2022 PMF application cycle, OPM updated their assessment to improve the process in a variety of areas including addressing concerns around equity in all stages of the process. They also enhancing their recruiting efforts with greater outreach to diverse communities, expansion of their engagement with Minority Serving Institutions, enhanced recruitment through the alumni network, and use of strategic recruitment platforms.

Applicants are able to access their one-time submitted application to upload new or updated documents up until the application closes. Those applicants who are claiming veterans’ preference will have up to two weeks after the application closes to submit supporting documentation for their claim. Follow the guidelines in the Application Guide provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and download the PMF Application Handbook for complete guidance. The application process must be completed by October 12th..

Review other student job opportunities available nationwide in most federal agencies.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Compliance Inspection and Support Careers

Posted on by Dennis Damp

Federal high paying job opportunities are available for those who know how to apply and tap this lucrative job market. Jobs are available at thousands of locations stateside and overseas with excellent career advancement opportunities?

Compliance Inspection and Support Careers GS-1802 Series

This article features positions that perform or supervise inspection or technical support work in assuring compliance with or enforcement of Federal law, regulations, or other mandatory guidelines. We help those seeking federal employment explore occupations and navigate the application process. Plus, we link you to current job vacancies and provide resume/application guidance, including sample federal style resumes.

Compliance Inspection and Support Careers (GS-1802)

Positions included in this series are intended to perform inspection or technical support work in assuring compliance with or enforcement of Federal law. The work falls primarily in inspections where determinations are based on visual or other specific inspection techniques and are made based on relatively clear-cut considerations such as the presence or absence of required documents or the obvious physical condition of an item or premises. The second area involves support to inspections or investigations such as searching for, gathering, screening, and providing factual information or explanations related to the subject of an inspection or investigation or to the compliance program itself.

There are currently over 474 vacancy announcements, many with multiple positions, advertised nationwide in this occupational group. The federal government employs 55,129 in this occupation. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the largest employer with 52,278, most are Transportation Security Officers located at every major airport in the country and US Territories. The Department of Transportation employs 181, and there are small numbers employed in this group at other large cabinet level agencies.

Typical Job Titles:

  • Transportation Security Officer (TSO)
  • Aviation Safety Technician
  • Employee Benefit Plan Assistant
  • Law Enforcement Communications Assistant
  • Forensic Laboratory Technician Evidence
  • Mine Safety and Health Assistant
  • Safety and Health Clerk
  • Wage Hour Technician

A number of these job announcements list multiple vacancies at various locations. For example, one of the announcements from (DHS) advertises positions at three locations. When you add up the multiple vacancies, you will discover many additional opportunities in this field for you to explore and at locations across the country.

If you are looking for a challenging position in this field explore these opportunities. The following link will take you to the GS 1802 Occupational Description that includes links to the current job announcements on USAJOBS.

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

To find vacancies in your area, locate job announcements of interest and review the required qualifications. If you have the experience, education and/or work experience specified, apply online.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit our website regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Clerk & Assistant Jobs in the GS-0303 Occupational Series

Posted on by Dennis Damp

Federal job opportunities are available for those who know how to tap this lucrative job market. Where else can you find and apply for high-paying jobs that offer employment at thousands of locations stateside and overseas with excellent career advancement opportunities?

This article features Clerk and Assistant jobs in the GS-0303 occupational series. We help those seeking federal employment explore occupations and navigate the application process. Plus, we link you to current job vacancies and resume/application guidance.

Clerk and Assistant jobs in the (GS-0303)

Clerical work involves the processing or maintenance of records or documents which represent the transactions or business of an organization.

Assistant or technician work requires knowledge of the methods and procedures that are part of, or subordinate to, an administrative or program area. These workers carry out specific procedures and use established methods. They apply practical knowledge of regulations and precedent cases. Problems and issues that do not fit within the scope of established guidelines are usually referred to administrative or program specialists for resolution.

There are currently over 500 vacancies available nationwide in this occupational group. The federal government employs 59,819 in this occupation of which1,340 work overseas. The VA is the largest employer with 11,426, followed by the Department of the Army with 10,340 civilians and the Department of Commerce with 9,006. All cabinet level and many large agencies employ this occupation.

A number of these job announcements list multiple vacancies at various locations. For example, one of the announcements from Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is hiring 128 clerks and assistants at four locations: Anchorage Alaska, Phoenix Arizona, Huntsville AL, and Camarillo CA. When you add up the multiple vacancies, you will discover many additional opportunities in this field for you to explore and at locations across the country.

Currently, the IRS, VA, EPA, DOJ, and many other agencies and departments are recruiting in this category.

If you are looking for a challenging position in this field explore these opportunities. The following link will take you to the GS 0360 Occupational Description that includes links to the current job announcements on USAJOBS.

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

To find vacancies in your area, locate job announcements of interest and review the required qualifications. If you have the experience, education and/or work experience specified, apply online.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit our website regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

 

Equal Opportunity Compliance jobs in the GS-0360 occupational series

Posted on by Dennis Damp

Federal job opportunities are available for those who know how to tap this lucrative job market. Where else can you find and apply for high-paying jobs that offer employment at thousands of locations stateside and overseas with excellent career advancement opportunities?

This article features Equal Opportunity Compliance jobs in the GS-0360 occupational series. We help those seeking federal employment explore occupations and navigate the application process. Plus, we link you to current job vacancies.

Equal Opportunity Compliance Series (GS-0360)

Specialists in this series perform, supervise, or manage analytical, evaluative, and interpretive equal opportunity and civil rights compliance work. These positions are concerned with the application of civil rights and equal opportunity laws, regulations, and precedent decisions to eliminate illegal discrimination and to remove barriers to equal opportunity. This work involves analyzing and solving equal opportunity and civil rights problems through fact-finding, problem analysis, negotiation, and voluntary compliance programs.

Currently there are over 1,350 EEO specialists employed in the federal sector. The largest employer is the Department of Labor followed by HUD and the Department of Transportation. Most cabinet level and some large agencies employ equal opportunity specialists.

A number of these job announcements list multiple vacancies at various locations. For example, one of the announcements from the Department of Housing and Urban Development is hiring at three locations, in Texas and Louisiana.  When you add up the multiple vacancies, you will discover many additional opportunities in this field for you to explore and at locations across the country.

Currently, the EPA, HUD and the Department of Justice have positions posted.

If you are looking for a challenging position in this field explore these opportunities. The following link will take you to the GS 0360 Occupational Description that includes links to the current job announcements on USAJOBS.

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

To find vacancies in your area, locate job announcements of interest and review the required qualifications. If you have the experience, education and/or work experience specified, apply online.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit our website regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Management and Program Analyst Specialist – Featured Occupation

Posted on by Dennis Damp

The federal government, including the U.S. Postal Service, employs approximately 2.8 million civilian workers, or about 2 percent of the United States’ workforce. The federal government is this nation’s largest employer.

Excellent federal job opportunities are available for those who know how to tap this lucrative job market. Where else can you find and apply for high-paying jobs that offer employment at thousands of locations stateside and overseas with excellent career advancement opportunities?

This article features management and program analyst jobs in the GS-0343 occupational series. We help those seeking federal employment explore occupations and navigate the application process. Plus, we link you to current job vacancies.

Management and Program Analyst (GS-0343)

Positions in this series serve as staff analysts, evaluators, and advisors to management on the effectiveness and efficiency with which agencies and their components carry out their assigned programs and functions. Such positions may be found at any organizational level within Federal agencies. The primary purpose of the work is to provide line managers with objectively based information for making decisions on the administrative and programmatic aspects of agency operations and management. Positions in this series are concerned with a wide variety of assignments.

Currently there are over 530 job announcements from agencies including the IRS, the US Marshalls Service, Veterans Administration and others that are actively recruiting management and program analysts across the country.

A number of these job announcements list multiple vacancies at various locations. For example, one of the announcements from the Department of Homeland Security is hiring 3 for this position in the Washington DC area. When you add up the multiple vacancies, you will discover many additional opportunities in this field for you to explore and at locations across the country and overseas.

Currently, the IRS and the Veterans Administration have many positions posted. You will also find current positions available with the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, the U.S. Census Bureau, civilian military, and many others.

If you are looking for a challenging position in the program analyst field explore these opportunities. The following link will take you to the GS 0342 Occupational Description that includes links to the current management and program analyst job announcements on USAJOBS.

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

To find vacancies in your area, locate job announcements of interest and review the required qualifications. If you have the experience, education and/or work experience specified, apply online.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit our website regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Job-Hunting Help NOW!

Posted on by Dennis Damp

There are many options for job seekers to explore in both the government and private sectors. Sound job seeking principles and guidance are universal and not confined to any one sector. This book will help anyone explore their options and find viable employment.

 

 

Editors of the American Library Association, Brenda Bernstein, and John Henry Weiss recently published The BIG BOOK of JOB-HUNTING HACKS. This exceptional guide covers how to build a resume, conquer the interview, and land your dream job. This 388-page reference should be on every library shelf and those seeking employment in these difficult times will find this an invaluable tool to help them get back on their feet or find a more rewarding job — even in this environment.

The book is rationally divided into three parts: how to get a great job, how to write a stellar executive resume, and moving forward in mid-career. All tied together, you have everything you need at your fingertips for your personal job search. John Weiss is the president of Weiss and Associates recruiting and author of many books including Operation Jobs Search: A Guide for Military Veterans Transitioning to Civilian Careers, and Welcome to the Real World: A complete Guide to Job Hunting for the Recent College Grad.

According to the authors, “the purpose of this book is twofold —to help laid-off workers deal with the trauma of having their paychecks and benefits suddenly disappear, and to guide them through the job-hunting process. The tips in this book provide job seekers with practical advice for finding a new job no matter the state of the economy.”

I found the book right on target providing the foundation job seekers need in these difficult times. Readers will not be disappointed and job seekers can use it as a workbook, adding notes to the margins, highlighting key points and actions needed to land their desired position.

All-in-all a great book for a very reasonable price and a valuable addition to your job seeking efforts.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

Occupational Series Proposed Cancelations

Posted on by Dennis Damp

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is proposing to cancel 47 occupational series. Each of the selected series recommended for cancellation have approximately 25 or fewer incumbents Governmentwide. The work can be covered in other existing occupational series. OPM is not proposing to cancel occupational series whose work is so specialized that it is not classifiable to any other series or which have individual occupational qualification requirements. Any series approved for cancellation will be absorbed in the job families ‘01’ or ‘03’ series, e.g., the Correspondence Clerk Series, 309, will be absorbed into the Miscellaneous Clerk and Assistance Series, 303 series.
The 28 white collar and 19 trade series are listed below:

White Collar Occupations

  • 0309 – Correspondence Clerk Series
  • 0313 – Work Unit Supervising Series
  • 0319 – Closed Microphone Reporting Series
  • 0322 – Clerk-Typist Series
  • 0392 – General Telecommunications Series
  • 0394 – Communications Clerical Series
  • 0642 – Nuclear Medicine Technician Series
  • 0698 – Environmental Health Technician Series
  • 0804 – Fire Protection Engineering
  • 0880 – Mining Engineering
  • 0958 – Employee Benefits Law Specialist
  • 1051 – Music Specialist
  • 1054 – Theater Specialist
  • 1056 – Art Specialist
  • 1087 – Editorial Assistance
  • 1107 – Property Disposal Clerical and Technician
  • 1147 – Agricultural Market Reporting
  • 1163 – Insurance Examining
  • 1321 – Metallurgy
  • 1658 – Laundry Operations Services
  • 1725 – Public Health Educator
  • 1730 – Education Research
  • 1815 – Air Safety Investigating
  • 1850 – Agricultural Warehouse Inspection
  • 2110 – Transportation Industry Analysis
  • 2135 – Transportation Loss and Damage Claims Examining
  • 2144 – Cargo Scheduling
  • 2161 – Marine Cargo

Trades, Craft, and Labor Occupations

  • 3106 – Upholsteringg
  • 3511 – Laboratory Working
  • 3602 – Cement Finishing
  • 3605 – Plastering
  • 3606 – Roofing
  •  3802 – Metal Forging
  • 3808 – Boilermaking
  • 3809 – Mobile Equipment Metal Mechanic
  • 4104 – Sign Painting
  • 4416 – Offset Platemaking
  • 4417 – Offset Press Operating
  • 4616 – Patternmaking
  • 4805 – Medical Equipment Repairing
  • 4850 – Bearing Reconditioning
  • 5313 – Elevator Mechanic
  • 5736 – Braking-Switching and Conducting
  • 5737 – Locomotive Engineering
  • 5738 – Railroad Maintenance Vehicle Operating
  • 7402 – Baking

OPM is seeking comments or questions from agencies on this proposal and suggestions for additional series cancellations. They will review agency comments and supporting evidence to finalize the list of occupational series for cancellation. OPM will notify agencies of the final occupational series for cancellation and provide guidance on the appropriate classification of canceled occupations.

This is an ongoing effort and OPM is statutorily responsible for preparing position classification and job grading standards for agencies to use in placing positions in their proper classes and grades. Review the original proposal online.

Helpul Job Hunting Information:

Disclaimer: The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

IT Specialist (GS-2210) – Featured Occupation 

Posted on by Donna Day

The federal government, including the U.S. Postal Service, employs approximately 2.8 million civilian workers, or about 2 percent of the United States’ workforce. The federal government is this nation’s largest employer. The total employed is actually higher, employment data for certain agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, and others aren’t released to the public for national security reasons.

Excellent federal job opportunities are available for those who know how to tap this lucrative job market. Where else can you find and apply for high-paying jobs that offer employment at thousands of locations stateside and overseas with excellent career advancement opportunities?

This month’s column features Information Technology occupations. We help those seeking federal employment understand the application process and link you to current job vacancies.

IT Specialist (GS-2210)

Currently there are over 650 job announcements from agencies actively recruiting Information Technology Specialists on USAJOBS. The GS-2210 Series includes the following occupations:

  • Information Technology Management
  • Computer Specialist
  • Telecommunications
  • Other Series (Work previously included in other series to the Information Technology Management Series, 2210, when knowledge of IT principles, concepts, and methods is paramount.)

Many of the 650 active job announcements list multiple vacancies at various locations. For example, one of the announcements on the current list is hiring 35 IT Specialists for the Internal Revenue Service, they list 4 cities where they are hiring. When you add up all of the multiple vacancies, you will discover thousands of opportunities in the IT field for you to explore and at locations across the country and overseas.

Currently, the IRS and the U.S. Army Cyber Command have many job announcements with multiple vacancies posted. You will also find current positions available with the CIA, Secrete Service, the Smithsonian Institute, Indian Health Services, U.S. Census Bureau, and many others.

If you are looking for a challenging position in the IT field explore these opportunities. The following link will take you to the GS 2210 Occupational Description that includes links to the current IT Specialist job announcements on USAJOBS.

Visit our jobs board to search for all other occupations by job title.

To find vacancies in your area, locate job announcements of interest and review the required qualifications. If you have the experience, education and/or work experience specified, apply online.

Each month we will feature a different occupation. Visit our website regularly to find information about federal jobs in your area.

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

NDAA / Bill Impacting Benefits and Department of Defense Pay

Posted on by Donna Day

So many employers are embarking on a new concept for Parents; benefits, grants for daycare and even back pay may all be a part of the 2020 Defense Authorization Bill. The House and Senate recently passed a bipartisan bill funding the government through 2020. We should learn soon, after the House and Senate Bills are reconciled, if parental leave, pay, childcare, and cyber security education are included in the final rule.

Many of the foundational platforms represented in this bill focus on key areas to include Department of Defense pay. For example, contractor back-pay as new wage bills would give funding to contractors who were furloughed or had reduced hours during a government shutdown; workers making $965 a week or less would qualify for the back pay. Parental leave and childcare are important issues that need attention; this bill would extend Parental Leave to up to 12 weeks for maternity as well as enable additional flexibility in how it is taken.

Paid parental leave impacts both economic and logistical concerns since it is extremely important for new parents. In addition, it is a positive endeavor for organizations; encouraging new parents to return to their employers instead of seeking additional opportunities with other ‘parental friendly’ companies. The ability to return to work recharged and refreshed increases the employee’s focus and morale in many cases. Finally, it is better for the economy since more women are likely to return to their jobs after utilizing paid maternity leave; this productivity boost can increase business as well as performance while simultaneously satisfying the work/life balance so critically needed for new parents.

Paid parental leave may not impact a company’s bottom line. California, who recently implemented a new parental leave policy, reported that over 90% of organizations witnessed a more positive effect on their profit, turnover and morale. Also, a study completed by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research offered that paid leave reduces costs, increases workplace productivity and improves family incomes. Also, Rutgers University recently found that close to 40% of women who take paid leave from work are less likely to apply for welfare.

Finally, education is another critical element for consideration in this plan, and specifically cyber security education, where non-traditional schooling (online and remote opportunities) is being considered as part of a resource/tool for military personnel training expansion.

References:

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages.

The Government Shutdown – What to Expect

Posted on by Dennis Damp

Certain government agencies are currently shut down because Congress hasn’t passed a budget to fund them.  Instead of working together for the good of the country politicians are focusing on how best to support their party and keep their jobs!  Just one more reason to support term limits for our Congressional representatives.

This may take some time to resolve, hopefully before more suffer. The national emergency at our borders has caused a rift between the parties and in the interim others suffer on both sides of the border, certain federal services are unavailable, and many federal workers are doing without until back pay arrives.

Those seeking federal employment may have to wait for some vacancies to be filled. It all depends on the agency and whether or not their human resource staff is impacted. Many jobs may be placed on a temporary hold until Congress acts.  If a position is delayed, now is the time to work on your federal style resume. Don’t get disillusioned, keep searching for vacancies and be ready to apply when you locate them.

Job Hunting is a Process

The news media blows the Shutdown out of proportion. They sidestep the border crisis and the petty maneuvers of politicians and parties. First, only non-essential services are unavailable and the majority of federal workers will get paid and on time. Social Security and Federal annuity checks are being sent out and Medicare isn’t impacted. All critical services are available as this drags on.  

I recently heard a report on one of the major news services saying that federal workers would soon abandon their jobs for private sector ones. I don’t believe federal employees would give their generous benefits up of 13 paid sick days each year, up to a 5-week vacation, affordable healthcare options, and generous annuity including a 401k retirement plan with a 5 percent match.

About 800,000 federal employees are furloughed until Congress acts, which could be awhile. Furloughed employees have always received retroactive pay in the past and consequently receive extended vacation time for the duration of the shutdown. With this furlough, many received an extended Christmas and New Year holiday break.

Non-essential new hires and those early on in their federal careers are most impacted. They may not have sufficient funds to carry them over until backpay arrives. Even though federal employment is a safe haven for most, employees need to be aware of the fact that they too must be prepared for when political conflicts result in Congressional inaction. Furloughed workers may have to work somewhere on the side or apply for unemployment during the shutdown. Workers that are furloughed can apply for unemployment however they will have to pay it back after receiving backpay.

I was furloughed several times for short periods during my 35-year government career and actually enjoyed the additional paid time off. I believe many federal employees feel the same. Anytime you get more free time to spend with family and friends is a bonus.  Those deemed critical often look with envy at the federal employees that were sent home, I know this from first hand experience. When I was walking out the door, during my first government shutdown, I was on staff and considered non-essential. The essential workers called me a lucky SOB.

Career Planning Tools

The information provided may not cover all aspects of unique or special circumstances, federal and postal regulations, and programs are subject to change. Our articles and replies are time sensitive. Over time, various dynamic human resource guidance and factors relied upon as a basis for this article may change. The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for your situation and this service is not affiliated with OPM, the postal service or any federal entity. You should consult with school counselors, hiring agency personnel offices, and human resource professionals where appropriate. Neither the publisher or author shall be liable for any loss or any other commercial damages, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages