RSM 2, Attachment 900-1: Federal Employment

Updated: 05/14

Source: Office of Personnel Management, 5 Code of Federal Regulations Part 213​

Information about federal jobs is readily available on the web, specifically at usajobs.gov. This is the federal government’s official site for job information and postings. DORS staff assisting participants in achieving federal employment should support the participant in reviewing job announcements within federal agencies in the participant’s home area. Announcements describe the essential duties of the position, including required knowledge, skills and abilities; where to call for additional information; and application instructions.

1. Competitive Hiring Process – Individuals interested in federal employment need to apply to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) via usajobs.gov or directly to the agency with the vacancy, if indicated on the job announcement.

2. Excepted Service/Schedule A – There is a special appointing authority for individuals with “intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric disabilities” who meet the minimum qualifications for the position. It is aimed at initial entry to Federal employment. Schedule A is designed to be used as an alternate route to employment in the federal government for those persons with physical, mental or psychiatric disabilities. Individuals interested in Schedule A appointments must have proof of disability and meet qualifications for the job. The Schedule A letter is available in AWARE™ to document “proof of disability.”

3. Coordination of Schedule A Placements – It is important that DORS staff contact designated staff and managers regarding Schedule A placements, rather than contacting federal agencies directly. Coordination of Schedule A placements is as follows:

1. DORS is working with the Council of State Administrators in Vocational Rehabilitation (CSAVR) to increase the number of individuals with disabilities employed by the federal government. DORS Program Manager, Technical Assistance, has a lead role with the Division in coordinating federal placements.

2. Frequently Regional Business Representatives and Business Services Specialists will serve as the single point of contact for specific recruitments. In those cases, the DORS staff member responsible for the recruitment will send out an email to DORS counselors outlining the application process.

4. Schedule A Certification: Non-DORS Consumers – Supervisors and managers shall address requests for Schedule A Certification by individuals with disabilities who are not DORS Consumers, including the need for “proof of disability.” The supervisor/manager may either:

1. Advise the individual that it is no longer necessary for a VR counselor to provide “proof of disability” for purposes of Schedule A placement. “Proof of disability” may be obtained through records, statements or other appropriate information issued from a licensed medical professional, e.g., a physician or other medical professional duly certified by a State to practice medicine; or a public or private vocational rehabilitation specialist, or any federal agency, state agency that issues or provides disability benefits; or

2. Assist the individual with documentation of Schedule A eligibility by:

1. Obtaining sufficient information to substantiate the disability (“proof of disability”), and

2. Providing the **Schedule A, Non-DORS Letter (RS-8a)**, available through RSM 4 on InDORS. This letter is to be reformatted if necessary and printed out on DORS letterhead. (The AWARE™ Schedule A letter cannot be accessed for use by individuals not currently served by DORS.)

5. Permanent or Time-limited Employment Options – A federal agency may make permanent or time-limited appointments under the Schedule A appointment authority where an applicant supplies proof of disability and the agency determines that the individual is likely to succeed in performing the duties of the position. In determining likelihood of success in performing the duties of a particular position, the agency will consider the applicant’s employment, educational, or other relevant experience, including but not limited to service under another type of federal appointment in the competitive or excepted service.

6. Temporary Employment Options – A federal agency may make a temporary appointment when:

1. The agency determines that it is necessary to observe the applicant on the job to determine whether the applicant is able to ready to perform the duties of the position. When an agency uses this option to determine an individual’s job readiness, the hiring agency may convert the individual to a permanent appointment in the excepted service whenever the agency determines the individual is able to perform the duties of the position; or

2. The work is of a temporary nature.

7. Conversion to Competitive Service

1. A federal agency may noncompetitively convert to the competitive service an employee who has completed two years of satisfactory service under this authority.

2. Time spent on a temporary appointment as referenced above does not count towards the two-year requirement.