OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER 1
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is responsible for ensuring the Nation’s security and prosperity
by addressing its energy, environmental and nuclear challenges through transformative science and
technology solutions. DOE maintains the Nation’s nuclear weapons stockpile, reduces the threat of
nuclear proliferation, oversees the Nation’s energy supply, leads the Nation in areas of federally
sponsored basic research critical to U.S. innovation and international competitiveness, carries out the
environmental clean-up from the Cold War nuclear mission and maintains those sites, and operates
17 National Laboratories.
DOE is honored to be named #1 in America’s Best Employers for Veterans 2023 by Forbes, and #8
among mid-sized federal agencies in Best Places to Work in the Federal Government 2022 by the
Partnership for Public Service.
DOE is committed to the recruitment, hiring, advancement, and retention of persons with disabilities.
In fact, 14% of DOE employees are persons with disabilities, exceeding the U.S. Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission’s federal sector goal of 12%. We value the diversity and unique perspectives
of our workforce. We recognize that differing perspectives contribute to the effective delivery of
services to the public and to the accomplishment of our broad mission.
This guide is intended to provide general answers to frequently asked questions from Schedule A
eligible job seekers. This document is not meant to be comprehensive, nor are all answers applicable
in all situations. The answers to your individual case will depend on the circumstances and may vary
from what is provided here.
We look forward to receiving your applications for DOE’s open positions at https://doe.usajobs.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
for Schedule A Job Seekers
Do you have to be a U.S. Citizen to work at DOE?
Yes, you must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. National (i.e., resident of American Samoa or Swains Island) to
work as a federal employee at DOE.
What opportunities are available at DOE for non-U.S. Citizens?
Generally, you must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National (i.e., resident of American Samoa or Swains
Island) to work as a federal employee at DOE. In limited situations, we accept applications from
Foreign Nationals, for example, under the Pathways Programs for students and recent graduates.
Agencies may hire non-U.S. Citizens under any of the Pathways Programs provided that the
individual meets applicable immigration requirements, and the agency has no budgetary restrictions
upon paying a non-citizen for performing the duties of the position. However, a participant must be
a U.S. Citizen to be eligible for non-competitive conversion to a permanent position or term position
in the competitive service. Visit USAJOBS for a list of DOE’s open opportunities under the federal
Pathways Programs.
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Zintellect is a website that provides listings of internships, experiential learning opportunities,
academic fellowships and scholarships funded by government and private sector organizations,
including DOE. These programs are administered by the Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU)
and the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE). These opportunities are open to U.S.
Citizens, while some opportunities are also open to Lawful Permanent Residents; Foreign Nationals
eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 vista status; and applicants for Lawful Permanent Residency,
asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with a 1) valid EAD card and 3) I-485 or I-
589 forms in pending status. For more information on available programs administered by ORAU
and ORISE and each program’s eligibility requirements, visit https://www.zintellect.com/Catalog.
The 17 National Laboratories offer work opportunities for non-U.S. Citizens to work alongside top
scientists on cutting edge research. Click the logos at the bottom of the page to explore each lab’s
career pages.
How do I apply for DOE’s jobs?
We invite you to apply to our many open positions posted at https://doe.usajobs.gov. Also, we
encourage you to make your resume searchable in your USAJOBS profile. Making your resume
searchable adds it to the USAJOBS resume bank. Human Resources Specialists and hiring managers
from federal agencies use the resume bank to look for candidates (with a searchable resume in their
USAJOBS profile) to fill their job vacancies. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center on the topic of “How to
make your resume and profile searchable.”
What is the Schedule A (u) Authority for Certain Individuals with Disabilities?
Schedule A (u) is an excepted service hiring authority used to appoint people with intellectual
disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. Severe physical disabilities include
but are not limited to blindness, deafness, paralysis, missing limbs, epilepsy, dwarfism, and more.
There is no limit to the number of times you can apply under the Schedule A (u) hiring authority.
There are two types of hiring processes under Schedule A (u).
• In the competitive process, applicants compete with one another through a structured process
that involves a formal vacancy announcement.
• In the non-competitive hiring process, agencies use a special authority (Schedule A) to hire
individuals with disabilities without requiring them to compete for the job through a formal
vacancy announcement. The agency must have determined that the person is likely to succeed in
performing the duties of the position to which they are being appointed to. The agency may rely
on the applicant’s employment, educational, or other relevant experience. After the individual
satisfactorily completes a two-year trial period, they become eligible for conversion to
permanent status.
To apply under schedule A, you must provide a:
• Resume; AND
• Schedule A Letter as proof of disability
• The Schedule A Letter must be printed on official letterhead and include a signature. It
must also state that you are an individual with a documented disability and eligible for
hire under 5 CFR 213.3102(u) for people with intellectual disabilities, severe physical
disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. The letter may come from:
o a licensed medical professional, or
o a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist, or
o a federal, state, District of Columbia, or local agency that issues or provides
disability benefits.
o We recommend Schedule A Letters follow the sample language provided in these
templates as closely as possible: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-
oversight/disability-employment/getting-a-job/sampleschedaletters.pdf
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*Schedule A Letters do not expire. However, if you are using an older letter, you should confirm
that the contact information for the official who signed the letter is still correct. If not, you will
need to acquire a new or updated letter. You will also need to acquire a new or updated letter if
your name has changed. Your specific disability or medical history should not be listed in the
Schedule A Letter beyond the three broad disability categories listed above. The letter should
not state your diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, need for accommodation, or other medical
information. Visit 5 CFR 213.3102(u) for more information on Schedule A (u).
On USAJOBS, should I only apply for jobs open to Individuals with Disabilities?
We encourage you to apply for all vacancy announcements that you are eligible under, and for all
positions that you are qualified to perform. These include announcements that are open to the
public, as well as announcements advertised to those eligible under special hiring authorities such
as current or former federal employees, certain veterans or military spouses, certain individuals with
disabilities, students, recent graduates, Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista volunteers, and other
groups. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center on the topic of “Explore hiring paths” for more information.
How do I save a search agent on USAJOBS?
New DOE jobs are posted daily. Therefore, we encourage you to save your search on USAJOBS.
This way, the system will email you as frequently as daily as new jobs at DOE become available.
To save a search:
1. Sign into your USAJOBS account. If you don’t yet have a profile, you will need to create one
to able to save your searches.
2. Start a job search by using the filters on the right-hand side of the page. Under Department &
Agency, select Department of Energy. Under Series, select your desired occupational series.
3. You may further narrow your results by typing a city and state or remote, selecting hiring
paths, work schedule, appointment type, and more.
4. Click Save this search on the search results page.
5. Name your specific search and choose how frequently you want to be notified. We
recommend daily since some jobs can open and close within a week. If you select daily, you’ll
receive one email per day IF new jobs have been posted that match your criteria.
Will I be notified of the status of my application in USAJOBS?
Once you submit your application in USAJOBS, your status will change to Application Received. You
will receive a notification email when your application is Reviewed by a Human Resources Specialist,
and if you are found Qualified or Not Qualified. If you are found qualified, you will receive a
notification email when your application is referred to the Selecting Official. Lastly, you will receive a
notification email if you are Selected or Not Selected.
Do you recommend limiting my resume to one page or is it okay for my resume
to be multiple pages?
It’s perfectly okay and encouraged for your federal resume to be several pages in length. Unlike the
private sector, you do not have to stick to a one-page resume. When possible, keep your resume to
2 to 4 pages in length.
How should I build my federal resume?
When applying for a federal position, your resume must be targeted and tailored to the position you
are applying for. We recommend that you read the entire vacancy announcement. Look closely at
the qualification statements and preview the assessment questionnaire in the USAJOBS vacancy
announcement. Use this information to jog your memory of your related work experiences to help
you better explain them and document it in your resume before you apply. Make sure that in your
resume, you’ve addressed each of the specialized experience requirements for the position. List
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significant accomplishments you’ve made and awards you’ve received. Use numbers, percentages,
dollar amounts, statistics, and other quantifiable data to describe your achievements and outcomes.
Use plain language and avoid using acronyms and terms that are not easily understood. Use action
verbs to describe your duties and accomplishments. Include any relevant volunteer work, roles held
in community organizations, and other unpaid experiences that demonstrate leadership experience
and your ability to do the job.
Will my resume be scanned for keywords by an automated system?
Once you submit your application, an automated system will perform an initial application review to
screen all the required areas, and your answers to the assessment questionnaire. Then, it will be
reviewed by a real person. A Human Resources Specialist will perform a manual review of your
resume and supporting documents to validate the information you submitted in your application
package.
Is a narrative resume acceptable?
We recommend following the USAJOBS format when building your federal resume. We recommend
you visit the USAJOBS Help Center on the topic of “How to create a resume” and the Partnership for
Public Service’s Writing a Federal Resume.
The resume that you attach to your application must clearly state all relevant work experiences you
possess for the time periods that you performed them:
• Format your resume in reverse chronological order starting with your most recent experience
first and work your way back.
• For each work experience, list the name of the organization, your job title, and starting and
ending dates (including month and year).
• Indicate the number of hours worked per week on average or indicate full-time or part-time.
• If you have held a federal job, make sure you indicate the pay plan, series, and grade.
• Detail the major duties, level and amount of responsibility, and significant accomplishments for
each position held.
• Provide work examples in your resume that prove you can perform or have performed the tasks
at the level required for the job.
• Provide details of how you performed the work. Indicate education, certifications, job-related
training, language skills, professional organizations and affiliations, publications, and volunteer
work.
• Lastly, include a list of 2-3 professional references.
Does DOE recommend the USAJOBS Resume Builder?
The Resume Builder feature in USAJOBS walks you through building a federal resume step by step
to ensure your resume is in the correct format and captures all required information. You are more
likely to thoroughly address all aspects of the application if you use the USAJOBS Resume Builder
than uploading your own resume.
Some agencies will accept either an uploaded resume or a resume created using Resume Builder,
while other agencies may only accept one or the other. The accepted method will be detailed in the
USAJOBS vacancy announcement.
When applying to DOE’s jobs on USAJOBS, you may use either method; an uploaded resume or
one created using Resume Builder.
If you choose to use your own resume and upload it, you must ensure you thoroughly describe your
job-related qualifications that includes beginning and ending dates (including month and year) for
each paid and non-paid position held; hours worked per week on average; annual salary or hourly
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salary, and description of job duties. Include the name and address of each employer, the name of
your supervisor and their telephone number.
Regardless of which method you choose, we recommend you visit the USAJOBS Help Center on the
topic of “How to create a resume” and “What should I include in my federal resume?”. Also check out
the USAJOBS YouTube Channel for helpful videos on this subject. Another great resource is the
Partnership for Public Service’s Writing a Federal Resume.
What is Excepted Service?
Generally, federal civilian positions are in the competitive service. This means that an individual must
obtain the federal job by competing against other applicants in open competition through a
structured process that involves a traditional vacancy announcement, usually posted on
https://www.usajobs.gov.
However, the federal government provides an exception to this, under excepted service hiring
authorities Schedule A, B, C, and D to fill special jobs or to fill any job in unusual or special
circumstances. These excepted service authorities enable agencies to hire when it is not feasible or
not practical to use traditional competitive hiring procedures and can streamline hiring. Most
excepted service positions are not required to be posted at https://www.usajobs.gov. As a result, it
is important to look at individual agency websites for job announcements.
What is Career or Career Conditional Status?
A person employed in the competitive service for other than temporary, time-limited, or indefinite
employment is appointment as a career-conditional employee subject to a probationary period.
With some exceptions, an employee must serve at least three years of creditable service to become
a career employee. Visit 5 CFR Part 315 for more information on the career conditional employment
system.
What is the Workforce Recruitment Program?
The Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) is managed jointly by the U.S. Department of Labor and
the U.S. Department of Defense. The program is designed to provide employment opportunities in
the federal and private sectors to qualified students and recent graduates who possess a disability.
Upon acceptance into the program, your resume will be made available to employers for one year
through the WRP database. Employers can contact you directly about positions that match your skills
and qualifications. Visit https://www.wrp.gov/wrp to learn more about WRP and how to register for
the program.
What reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities do you
provide?
Federal agencies are required by law to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants
and employees with disabilities, unless doing so will result in undue hardship to the agency. The
accommodations make it easier for an employee with a disability to successfully perform the duties
of the position.
For example, an agency may offer:
• Interpreters, readers, or other personal assistance
• Modified position duties
• Flexible work schedules or work sites
• Accessible technology or other workplace adaptive equipment
How do I request a reasonable accommodation?
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You can request reasonable accommodations any time during the hiring process as an applicant, or
at any time while on the job as an employee. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. All
aspects of the reasonable accommodation process must be kept confidential. This includes the
initial request, the decision, disability, and any medical information that is obtained during the
process. The act of requesting an accommodation is considered a protected activity and should not
be disclosed except to those with a need to know.
Examples of reasonable accommodations for applicants:
1. Readers and sign language interpreters; and,
2. Accessible locations for interviews, testing, and other components of the application process.
Examples of reasonable accommodations for employees:
1. Technology - larger or specialized computer monitor, screen magnification software, voice
activation software, readers;
2. Worksite - physically accessible such as installing doors that automatically open and close;
lowering the paper towel dispenser in an employee restroom or adjusting the lighting at an
employee’s workstation;
3. Tour of Duty/Leave Administration - telework; modified work schedules; advanced leave or leave
without pay; and,
4. Performance - modifying supervisory methods such as communicating in writing rather than
orally; sign language interpreters; job coaching; travel-related accommodations and
reassignment.
*Reasonable accommodations cannot be provided to care for family members with disabilities.
To request a reasonable accommodation:
1. Look at the job posting for instructions on requesting a reasonable accommodation.
2. Work directly with the person arranging the interviews.
3. Contact the agency Selective Placement Program Coordinator.
4. Request a reasonable accommodation verbally or in writing; no special language is needed.
Visit OPM’s page on Reasonable Accommodations to learn more.
What is Personal Care Assistance (PAS)?
Personal Care Assistance (PAS) is assistance with performing activities of daily living that an
employee would typically perform if they did not have a disability.
Activities which may require a PAS include, but are not limited to:
• Removing and putting on clothing;
• Eating;
• Using the restroom;
• Getting in and out of a vehicle at the worksite; and,
• Moving around the building.
PAS does not include performing medical procedures or monitoring, such as administering
injections, monitoring blood pressure, or helping an employee with a disability perform job-related
tasks.
A DOE employee with a disability may request for PAS at any time either orally or in writing. DOE
employees with targeted disabilities can contact their supervisor, manager, or Local Reasonable
Accommodations Coordinator to request a PAS. All aspects of the PAS process must be kept
confidential.
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What is a targeted disability?
A targeted disability is any condition designated as a Targeted Disability or Serious Health Condition
on the Office of Personnel Management’s Standard Form 256 (SF-256) Self-Identification of
Disability. They include developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, deafness or serious
difficulty hearing, blindness or serious difficulty seeing, missing extremities, significant mobility
impairment, partial or complete paralysis, epilepsy or other seizure disorders, intellectual disabilities,
significant psychiatric disorders, dwarfish, and significant disfigurement.
Visit https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/sf256.pdf to learn more.
How do I reach DOE’s Local Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator?
Refer to the list posted at www.energy.gov/hc/reasonable-accommodation-contacts to find the Local
Reasonable Accommodations Coordinator who supports each specific DOE organization.
May I email you my resume for consideration?
We are not accepting resumes via email. You may apply to our many open positions posted at
https://doe.usajobs.gov. Also, we encourage you to make your resume searchable in your USAJOBS
profile. Making your resume searchable adds it to the USAJOBS resume bank. Human Resources
Specialists and hiring managers from federal agencies use the resume bank to look for candidates
(with a searchable resume in their USAJOBS profile) to fill their job vacancies. Visit the USAJOBS
Help Center on the topic of “How to make your resume and profile searchable.”
May I send you my resume for your review and feedback?
We are not reviewing resumes via email. We encourage you to visit the USAJOBS FAQs page for
answers to frequently asked questions on a broad range of topics related to the federal hiring
process, particularly the topic of “What should I include in my federal resume?” Also check out the
USAJOBS YouTube Channel for helpful videos on this subject. We also recommend you visit the
Partnership for Public Service’s Writing a Federal Resume and other topics related to the federal
application process.
What type of experience are you looking for?
The USAJOBS vacancy announcement will indicate the specialized experience required, and
whether there is a positive education requirement for the occupational series.
What type of education are you looking for?
The Office of Personnel Management has established minimum educational requirements for
positions that are in the professional and scientific occupational group. These positions have a
“positive education requirement” and generally require completion of degree requirements to meet
minimum qualifications for the position. For positions with a positive education requirement, you
must provide documentation supporting any education claims in your application. This
documentation can include unofficial transcripts or any report that list the institution, course title,
credits earned (semester or quarter hour), and final grade. It is your responsibility to provide
adequate proof that you meet the educational requirements as stated in the vacancy announcement.
If you are selected for the position, official transcripts will be required.
Visit https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-
qualification-standards/#url=Overview to learn more.
Who do I call for information about a particular job posted on USAJOBS or
about the federal application process?
Please reach out to the agency contact listed under the How to Apply section of the USAJOBS
vacancy announcement if you have questions about the job. You may visit the USAJOBS FAQs page
for more information on “How to contact an agency.”
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Why do I receive so many referred notifications from USAJOBS for the same
position?
It is possible for a USAJOBS vacancy announcement to be used by multiple hiring managers who are
hiring for similar positions. Please reach out to the agency contact listed under the How to Apply
section of the USAJOBS vacancy announcement if you have questions about this notice and your
status.
Why are some USAJOBS vacancy announcements open for months at a time?
Don’t be discouraged when you see that some of our USAJOBS vacancy announcements are open
for extended periods of time. These are called Open Continuous Announcements, which means that
we have a need to fill multiple vacancies and anticipate an ongoing need for candidates for future
vacancies. Also, don’t be discouraged if it has been some time since you applied and you have not
been contacted. Open continuous announcements are to gather applications for current and future
vacancies that may or may not result in a referral or selection. Your application will remain on file for
a specified period to be considered for future job openings. The vacancy announcement will state
when your application is due to expire after receipt.
What questions will be asked of me once I click the Apply button in the
USAJOBS vacancy announcement?
Most vacancy announcements on USAJOBS will allow you to preview the Assessment Questionnaire
by clicking the preview link at the bottom of the How You Will Be Evaluated section. It will allow you
to see all the questions that will be asked of you, should you apply for the position. The assessment
questionnaire is a series of questions that you answer by selecting the option that best describes
your training or experience. Use this information to jog your memory of your related work
experiences to help you better explain them and document it in your resume before you apply. Your
responses to the assessment questionnaire must be fully supported in your resume. If the training or
experience you claim are not reflected in your resume, then you may be found "ineligible" or "not
qualified" for the position. Some assessment questionnaires will allow you to submit your application
even if you have skipped a question. Do not make this mistake! Answer all questions before hitting
Submit and completing your application.
What happens next after I apply to a USAJOBS vacancy announcement?
Once your online application is submitted, you will receive a confirmation notification by email. The
status of your application will be updated in USAJOBS as it is evaluated. You can check the status by
logging into USAJOBS. You may also sign up to receive automatic emails anytime the status of your
application changes by logging into your USAJOBS account and editing the notification settings.
You will be contacted directly if an interview is required. Once you’ve submitted your application, it
will go through several levels of review. First, the HR Specialist listed on the announcement will
screen your application to see if you meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements. If
necessary, a Subject Matter Expert will also rate your application. If you are found to be among the
best qualified, your application will be forwarded to the hiring manager, who will make the final
selection, sometimes with the help of an interview panel.
What geographic areas are you hiring for?
We are hiring for positions in many duty locations across the United States, including remote
(anywhere in the US). We encourage you to search https://doe.usajobs.gov for current vacancy
announcements in DOE. Narrow your search even further by selecting your desired occupational
series, location, work schedule, and more.
Does DOE cover relocation costs if I must move to accept the job?
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The USAJOBS vacancy announcement will indicate whether relocation expenses will be reimbursed.
This is also known as Permanent Change of Station or PCS. The USAJOBS vacancy announcement
will also indicate whether a relocation/recruitment incentive may be authorized. Please read each
vacancy announcement in its entirety. Should you be selected for a position where these may be
offered, you may negotiate this with the Human Resources Specialist.
How long does it take to start once I receive a job offer?
If you receive and accept a tentative job offer, it may take a few weeks to a few months before you
start the job. The pre-employment requirements such as satisfactory security and suitability and/or a
pre-employment drug test must be met before a final job offer can be made. The length of these
checks depends on the background investigative requirements of the position and your individual
situation. Once the background investigation and additional requirements have been met, the hiring
agency will extend a final job offer and set a start date. Each position’s unique conditions of
employment will be detailed in the Requirements section of the USAJOBS vacancy announcement.
Do DOE’s jobs require a security clearance?
Some jobs require a security clearance. The security clearance level depends on the type of access
to classified information and secure facilities that you’ll need to perform your job. If you are selected
for a job that requires a security clearance, you’ll need to provide at least ten years of personal
information and maybe more. Visit the USAJOBS Help Center on the topic of “What are background
checks and security clearances” for more information. The security clearance level required for a
position will be stated in the Requirements – Conditions of Employment section of the USAJOBS
vacancy announcement.
Can I work for DOE if I have a criminal record?
Yes, you can work for the federal government if you have a criminal record and were formerly
incarcerated. For most federal jobs, questions about your criminal history don’t appear on the initial
job application. However, if you receive a conditional offer of employment, you’ll need to complete a
Declaration for Federal Employment form (OF-306) and undergo a background investigation to
establish your suitability or fitness for employment. Federal agencies will consider many factors
when deciding your suitability. It’s important that you provide all the required information about
your criminal record when you apply for a federal job so the hiring agency can determine early if a
specific prohibition exists.
Do you have internship opportunities available?
DOE offers many opportunities for students and recent graduates. Please visit our website at
https://www.energy.gov/careers/students-recent-graduates for more information. Our Students and
Recent Graduate Opportunities at a Glance lists many of these opportunities. To find opportunities
in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) for students and recent graduates,
please visit DOE’s STEM page.
How do I search for DOE’s student, recent graduate, or entry-level jobs in
USAJOBS?
To search for student opportunities, go to https://doe.usajobs.gov, and on the right-hand side of the
screen under Filters, Hiring Path, check the box for Students.
To search for recent graduate opportunities, go to https://doe.usajobs.gov, and on the right-hand
side of the screen under Filters, Hiring Path, check the box for Recent graduates.
To search for entry-level opportunities, go to https://doe.usajobs.gov, and on the right-hand side of
the screen under Filters, click on Pay and select all grades at GS-9 and below as these are
considered entry-level.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER 10
How do I search for federal internships across the federal government?
The Federal Internship Portal and the Federal Internship Experience Program are the latest tools
deployed to increase opportunities for early career professionals in the federal government. These
tools advance the goals of the “Strengthening and Empowering the Federal Workforce” priority in
the President’s Management Agenda and carries out Executive Order 14035, Diversity, Equity,
Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce.
The Federal Internship Portal at https://intern.usajobs.gov is a one-stop shop for prospective
candidates to find opportunities and apply for internships across the federal government.
The Federal Internship Experience Program at https://www.opm.gov/intern is a web-based toolkit
for prospective interns, current interns, and intern supervisors. This program is designed to help
early career talent find federal internships, succeed in their internships, acquire new skills, and grow
their federal careers. This toolkit will serve as the central location for current federal interns to access
training and development opportunities including workshops, mentoring and coaching, and
networking events.
These efforts are designed to increase the number of paid interns, fellows, apprentices, and early
career hires across the federal government and to decrease reliance on unpaid internships.
Applying for a federal internship is a competitive process and consists of multiple steps that may
include a include a written test, an evaluation of the individual’s education and/or experience, and
an evaluation of other attributes necessary for successful performance in the position to be filled.
Each of these steps must be completed accurately to advance successfully through the federal hiring
process.
Federal agencies primarily hire interns from applications submitted on USAJOBS, the federal
government’s official employment site. Applications submitted to USAJOBS flow to the respective
agency’s applicant tracking system where applications are evaluated and assessed.
What opportunities are available for early career job seekers who don’t have
college degrees?
Federal internships, such as the Federal Pathways Programs, by their very nature require a candidate
to be a student or a recent graduate of a qualifying educational program. Eligibility for the Federal
Pathways Internship and Recent Graduate Programs will be expanded effective June 11, 2024, to
include those candidates with or without formal degrees who have completed qualifying career or
technical education programs.
Job seekers who are early in their careers and do not possess a college degree need not apply to a
federal internship to be considered for federal employment. They can apply for entry-level positions
posted on USAJOBS and focus on occupations that have no positive education requirement. In
recent years, the federal government has adopted skills-based hiring practices that places greater
emphasis on an applicant’s competencies rather than their educational credentials.
One of the mission critical occupations at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) is the Management
and Program Analyst. There are no positive education requirements to meet the minimum
qualification standards for this occupation.
How do I apply for the Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program?
The Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program is a 2-year developmental program whose
goal is to provide graduate students with exciting and meaningful federal opportunities and to build
future federal leaders. To be eligible, you must have completed an advanced degree from a
qualifying educational institution or program within the past two years of the annual application
opening date. You must first apply to this program during the application period in the fall season.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER 11
Then, after a rigorous interview process, the Office of Personnel Management will choose the next
class of PMF Finalists to be eligible for appointment at a participating federal agency. Visit
https://www.pmf.gov for more information.
What is the President’s Management Agenda and how does it impact federal
internships?
Each Presidential Administration issues a President’s Management Agenda that lays out the high-
level priorities for the federal government. According to the Biden-Harris Management Agenda
Vision released in November 2021, less than 7% of the federal workforce is under the age of 30 and
nearly 28% of federal employees are eligible to retire in the next 5 years. Because of this, the priority
placed on promoting and increasing internships and other student and early career programs in the
federal government is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
What opportunities are available in the federal government for someone who
speaks multiple languages?
For certain positions, the ability to speak a foreign language is an important, job-related task where a
person cannot perform the job successfully unless he or she can communicate in that language. This
information would be detailed in the position description and the vacancy announcement upon
recruitment. In these types of situations, this special language requirement would be listed as a
selective placement factor or “screen out” in the vacancy announcement. In other cases, the ability to
speak a foreign language is not required but may enhance job performance. We recommend
candidates follow the USAJOBS resume format and to include any foreign language skills in their
resume. We encourage candidates to visit the USAJOBS Help Center for answers to frequently
asked questions on a broad range of topics related to the federal hiring process, particularly the
topic of “How to build a resume”. Also, check out the USAJOBS YouTube Channel for helpful videos
on this subject.
Does DOE have volunteer opportunities available?
DOE’s Student Experience Program provides students enrolled in an accredited high school,
college, or university with experiential learning opportunities at DOE. These opportunities help
students develop skills needed in today’s workforce while learning about DOE’s exciting mission.
Visit the Student Experience Program page to learn more.
What careers are available in the National Laboratories?
DOE’s 17 National Laboratories offer opportunities to work on cutting edge research alongside top
scientists. There are many career opportunities posted on the labs’ websites where you can apply.
Click the logos at the bottom of the page to explore each lab’s career pages.
Are DOE positions eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness?
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) is a program run by the U.S. Department of Education.
To qualify for PSLF, you must be:
• employed by a U.S. federal, state, local, or tribal government or qualifying not-for-profit
organization; and
• work full-time for that agency or organization; and
• have Direct Loans (or consolidate other federal student loans into a Direct Loan); and
• repay your loans under an income-driven repayment plan or a 10-year standard repayment plan;
and
• make a total of 120 qualifying monthly payments that need not be consecutive.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER 12
DOE is considered an eligible employer under the PSLF program. If you become a full-time federal
employee at DOE, you may submit your PSLF form to Human Resources for us to complete the
Employer Certification portion of the form.
Does DOE ever hire part-time workers?
At this time, we cannot indicate when a part-time job at DOE will become available. New DOE jobs
are posted daily. Therefore, we encourage you to search USAJOBS for part-time positions at DOE
and save your search. This way, the system will email you as new part-time jobs at DOE become
available.
Does 30 hours per week qualify as full-time?
Generally, full-time requires an employee to work 40 hours per week, while part-time requires an
employee to work 16 to 32 hours per week.
What is remote work?
Remote work is an arrangement under which an employee is not expected to report to an agency
worksite on a regular and recurring basis. The employee’s pay will be based on the city and state of
their home (or other approved alternative location where they are authorized to work and regularly
perform their duties).
How is it determined if the job is remote or on site?
A job is eligible for remote if the major functions of the job can be performed successfully remotely.
If you are selected for a remote position, you will be required to sign a remote work agreement that
details remote working conditions and expectations for the position. Work may only be performed
from a location in the United States.
To search USAJOBS for remote positions at DOE, go to https://doe.usajobs.gov and on the right-
hand side of the screen under Filters, and select the button for “Only show remote jobs”.
Do remote workers have to travel during employment?
A remote worker may be expected to travel occasionally for a position. The travel requirements for a
particular position will be indicated on the USAJOBS vacancy announcement.
What is remote restricted?
A remote restricted position is approved for remote work full-time, but the employee will be
expected to reside within a certain number of miles from a DOE worksite. If a position is remote
restricted, it will be stated in the USAJOBS vacancy announcement.
May I apply for a remote job at DOE and perform the work overseas?
No. The work for a remote job may only be performed from a location in the United States.
At DOE, is Puerto Rico eligible as a remote duty station?
Yes, so long as the position can be performed successfully from that geographic location.
APRIL 2024, VERSION 1
QUESTIONS: Contact Disability Employment Program
VISIT US: www.energy.gov/careers
