Understanding
Your Eligibility
Before you apply for any role in the federal government, it helps to know the terminology. So we've compiled a helpful guide to help you navigate the application process.
Hiring Paths
Hiring paths are specific designations that help the federal government hire individuals who represent our diverse society. Hiring paths are used to signal eligibility for specific positions.
U.S. citizens, nationals, and individuals who own allegiance to the United States can apply to jobs that are open to the public. Even if you are eligible under one of the other hiring paths, you can still apply to jobs with this designation.
Current or former federal employees may be eligible for different hiring options including competitive services.
If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans' preference, as well as other veteran-specific hiring options.
If you are a military spouse, you may be eligible to apply using a non-competitive process designated to help you get a job in the federal government either on a temporary or permanent basis.
If you are a member of the National Guard or are willing and able to join the National Guard, you may be eligible to apply for federal jobs located within a National Guard unit. When applying to a job in the excepted service, it is important to reach the Who May Apply section of the job announcement to understand additional eligibility requirements.
National Guard & Reserves Eligibility Information
If you are a student or a recent graduate, you may be eligible for federal internships and job opportunities through the Pathways and other student programs. Learn more about opportunities at OASH for current students and recent graduates.
You may be eligible for a Senior Executive Service position if you meet the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs). Learn more about the ECQs.
If you are an individual with a disability, you can apply and compete for any job which you are eligible and meet the qualifications for, but you may also be eligible for Schedule A, a special hiring authority.
The federal government offers several hiring programs for family members of federal employees or uniformed service members, who are working or have worked overseas.
If you are an American Indian or an Alaskan Native who is a member of one of the federally recognized tribes, you may be eligible for Indian Preference when applying to jobs within the Indian Health Services and Indian Affairs.
If you served with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA as a volunteer or volunteer leader for a minimum of one year, you may qualify for non-competitive eligibility.
The federal government offers other special hiring paths , or hiring authorities, to help hire individuals that represent our diverse society. Visit USAJOBS to learn more about special authorities and eligibility requirements.
Delegating Examining
Delegated examining (DE) allows federal agencies to open a competitive service position to identify the best possible candidates, including current federal employes and veterans. Meanwhile, merit promotions are not open to the public. Only individuals who are in the competitive service, have competitive status, or are eligible under a special hiring authority can apply. Learn more about DE (PDF, 201KB).
General Schedule
The General Schedule (GS) classification and pay system helps agencies within the federal government identify a cohesive set of standards, pay, and qualifications across most white-collar federal jobs.
The GS has 15 grades, with GS-1 being the lowest and GS-15 being the highest. Agencies classify the grade of each job based on the level of difficulty, responsibility, and qualifications required. Each grade has 10 step rates (rates 1-10). A new employee is usually hired at step one of the applicable GS grade, and can work through each step based on their performance.
Employees may also advance to higher grades through promotion at certain intervals, as determined by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management's regulations and qualification standards, and agency policies, up to the full promotion potential as advertised in the job announcement. After that, competition under merit system principle is necessary to advance to a higher GS grade.
The GS base pay schedule is usually adjusted annually each January with an across-the-board pay increase based on national changes in the cost of wages and salaries of private industry workers. Most GS employees are also entitled to locality pay, which adjusts the base salary based on cost of living.