Job Searches in the Centralized Database
USA Jobs has postings for US Federal Government jobs. Most agencies are required to post all jobs openings on the general site. Create a profile to save resumes, see updates on the hiring process for any given posting, and request automatic email updates for new postings meeting your criteria.
Initial searches often give too many results. To narrow search results, define desired pay grade on the GS scale to match your level of qualification, use keywords, and include common governmental job titles for work within fields of interest (such as math, finance, or epidemiology). For further brainstorming ideas, look through the academic quick guides. Congress requires many jobs to be posted with specific titles, which are often vague and out-of-date. Do not judge a job by its title alone.
You may also limit your search by occupational series. Mathematics and statistics are coded for the 1500s. However, such searches will exclude any job with interdisciplinary elements (such as biostatistics or finance).
Each job posting is formatted onto five tabs:
- Overview (includes GS-level and citizenship requirements)
- Duties (includes location)
- Qualifications & Evaluations (includes KSA questions)
- Benefits & Other Info (includes details for prioritized applicants, such as those with veterans’ preference)
- How to Apply (includes deadlines and agency contact information)
Before applying, be sure to read all five tabs, not just the first one. Save the posting as a PDF or print it out; the listing will disappear from the website after the application deadline.
Peruse our guides to careers in government:
- Overview
- The hiring process
- Jobs at specific agencies
- Programs for recent graduates
- Jobs in state government
Email Kirsten Wellman with comments, updates or recommended additions.
