Back Page

(Crop at line) 

U.S. E

1
INTRODUCTION

There are many advantages to working 

for the federal government. Federal 

employees serve in a wide variety 

of exciting jobs, earn good wages, 

receive medical benefits, and make a 

difference through public service! The 

federal government hires people in 

many different fields, from accounting 

to public affairs, health care to law 

enforcement, and everything in 

between. 

For so many, however, the steps to 

getting a federal job seem numerous 

and difficult. This does not have to 

be the case. There are many different 

paths to federal employment, and for 

individuals with disabilities, one of 

those paths is the Schedule A hiring 

authority.

So what is Schedule A?

Schedule A is an excepted service 

hiring authority available to federal 

agencies to hire and/or to promote 

individuals with disabilities without 

competing the job. Utilizing the 
RECRUITMENT/

ABILITYJobs and 

enables people wit

for potential empl

opportunities post

also includes inf

reasonable accomm

see www.jobaccess

CareerOneStop – 

sponsored by th

provides a variety 

seekers. The sit

other service p

employment, train

Visit www.careeron

eSIGHT.org – eSI

community address

Explore all they ha

GettingHired.com 

provides a jobs data

with disabilities an

Further in ailable a

RESOURCES
THE ABCs

A If you are interested in working for the 

federal government, your first task is 

to identify an open position you want 

to apply for, if you don’t already have 

one in mind. 

Most federal vacancies are advertised 

on the USAJOBS Web site, found at 

www.usajobs.opm.gov. This is the 

Federal government’s official site for job 

information and includes over 16,000 job 

postings. Through this site, you can search 

for openings in a particular field, city, or 

agency, or all three (you also can signup for e-mail alerts about job openings 

by type of job, agency, and/or geographic 

area). If you cannot access the internet 

or need additional assistance, you can 

call 202-606-2525. There is also an 

automated telephone system that can 

be reached at 703-724-1850 (voice) or 

978-461-8404 (TTY).

Not all agencies use USAJOBS to 

announce job vacancies. So it is 

important to check specific agency 

Web sites for additional information 

about employment opportunities. A 

listing of agency sites can be found at 

www.usa.gov.
FREQUENTLY ASKED Q

Q. I found a job vacan

in applying for, and 

A. What’s next?

A. Once you have your 

in order, and have 

disability, you are rea

to the appropriate p

you are applying to fo

Be prepared to put s

finding the correct pe

You may apply online 

Web site or the sp

Web site. Make sure y

instructions as given i

you fill out the applica

apply under Schedule 

Q. Who can help?

A. If you want to apply fo

contact the DPM or S

you want to work. Yo

career counselor or 

counselor for informat

you may want to conta

Q. Is there a probatio

A. Yes, two years. Durin

employees are held t

standards as all other 
THE ABCs

of a disability, because Schedule 

available to individuals with d

individuals have to prove they have 

to be eligible.

Proof of disability will typically co

form of a letter. Such a letter simp

say that you have a severe disabilit

You can get this letter from:

v	your doctor,

v	a licensed medical professional, 

v	a licensed rehabilitation profess

v	any federal, state, District of Co

US territory agency that issues 

disability benefits.

The letter does NOT need to detail yo

history or your need for an accom

The simpler the letter is, the better

The Schedule A regulation also sta

be appointed under the authority, o

certified as job ready. So what does 

be job ready? Though the Schedule A 

uses the term “Certification of Job R

this certification does not need to b

certificate in the traditional sense. Jo

can be certified in a number of ways

v An agency can (and should) r

resume and references to 
FREQUENTLY AS

Q. What is Schedule 

A. The federal gover

authorities for p

Schedule A is one of 

with disabilities to 

federal jobs that ar

and abilities. By u

a vacancy, an age

traditional, and som

hiring process. You 

A appointment if you 

physical or mental d

Q. How do I prove m

 Schedule A?

A. In order to receive a 

 appointment, you m

v	be qualified for 

for – i.e., have 

skills, and abiliti

duties;

v demonstrate “pro

v be job ready.

Proof of disability 

simple letter statin

disability. You can 

doctor, a licensed 

licensed rehabilitatio

that issues or provid
THE ABCs OF SCHEDULE A

Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules when 

it comes to job readiness. Hiring agencies are 

free to decide for themselves who is the best 

match for their open position(s).

Once you have your resume and 

references in order, have obtained 

your proof of disability, and have all 

the other required application materials 

ready to go, you are ready to apply.

At this point you should try to contact the 

Disability Program Manager (DPM) or Selective 

Placement Coordinator (SPC) at the agency 

where you wish to work. You can find the 

appropriate person or office by either using 

the contact information included in the 

vacancy announcement itself (all announcements include a phone number or e-mail address 

to be used for questions), or by searching a 

directory of SPCs maintained by the Office of 

Personnel Management (OPM). 

The directory can be found at 

http://apps.opm.gov/sppc_directory/, but please 

note that this list is not always accurate. 

Not all agencies have a DPM or SPC, so you may need 

to speak with a human resources (HR) professional 

within the agency for help. If you are a veteran, you 

may want to contact a VA counselor. No matter 

C
THE ABCs OF SCHEDULE A

Ultimately, there are no hard and fast rules when 

it comes to job readiness. Hiring agencies are 

free to decide for themselves who is the best 

match for their open position(s).

Once you have your resume and 

references in order, have obtained 

your proof of disability, and have all 

the other required application materials 

ready to go, you are ready to apply.

At this point you should try to contact the 

Disability Program Manager (DPM) or Selective 

Placement Coordinator (SPC) at the agency 

where you wish to work. You can find the 

appropriate person or office by either using 

the contact information included in the 

vacancy announcement itself (all announcements include a phone number or e-mail address 

to be used for questions), or by searching a 

directory of SPCs maintained by the Office of 

Personnel Management (OPM). 

The directory can be found at 

http://apps.opm.gov/sppc_directory/, but please 

note that this list is not always accurate. 

Not all agencies have a DPM or SPC, so you may need 

to speak with a human resources (HR) professional 

within the agency for help. If you are a veteran, you 

may want to contact a VA counselor. No matter 

C
THE ABCs OF SCHEDULE A

have other hiring flexibilities in place t

the representation of persons with disa

inquire with the agency if this becomes 

You may also apply directly online th

USAJOBS Web site or the specific feder

Web site. If you do, make sure you follow the 

instructions as given in the job posting. 

submit your application, indicate that y

apply under Schedule A. In fact, an a

suggest that you first apply for a positi

the regular vacancy announcement (on 

or the agency’s Web site) AND THEN 

with the SPC/DPM or appropriate offic

diligent about following the process o

the agency. 

Once you submit your application, there 

left to do but wait. If the agency is in

you as a candidate for the open positi

will contact you to set up an intervie

agency wants to hire you, you will be o

position. If you have not already been 

your proof of disability, you will be ask

the offer stage. 

If you are offered a federal job, always 

offer of employment in writing. The 

tending the offer – typically a HR s

should be able to clearly explain the 
THE ABCs OF SCHEDULE A

have other hiring flexibilities in place to 

the representation of persons with disabi

inquire with the agency if this becomes a

You may also apply directly online thro

USAJOBS Web site or the specific federal 

Web site. If you do, make sure you follow the ap

instructions as given in the job posting. W

submit your application, indicate that you 

apply under Schedule A. In fact, an age

suggest that you first apply for a position 

the regular vacancy announcement (on U

or the agency’s Web site) AND THEN f

with the SPC/DPM or appropriate office. 

diligent about following the process out

the agency. 

Once you submit your application, there is 

left to do but wait. If the agency is inte

you as a candidate for the open position

will contact you to set up an interview

agency wants to hire you, you will be off

position. If you have not already been a

your proof of disability, you will be asked 

the offer stage. 

If you are offered a federal job, always as

offer of employment in writing. The pe

tending the offer – typically a HR spe

should be able to clearly explain the o
FREQUENTLY ASKE

Q. What is Schedule A

A. The federal governm

authorities for peop

Schedule A is one of th

with disabilities to get

federal jobs that are 

and abilities. By util

a vacancy, an agency 

traditional, and someti

hiring process. You are 

A appointment if you ar

physical or mental disa

Q. How do I prove my e

 Schedule A?

A. In order to receive a Sc

 appointment, you must

v	be qualified for th

for – i.e., have the 

skills, and abilities 

duties;

v demonstrate “proof 

v be job ready.

Proof of disability ca

simple letter stating t

disability. You can ge

doctor, a licensed m

licensed rehabilitation p

that issues or provides 
THE ABCs

of a disability, because Schedule A is 

available to individuals with disabili

individuals have to prove they have a disab

to be eligible.

Proof of disability will typically come in 

form of a letter. Such a letter simply need

say that you have a severe disability. 

You can get this letter from:

v	your doctor,

v	a licensed medical professional, 

v	a licensed rehabilitation professional, 

v	any federal, state, District of Columbia

US territory agency that issues or prov

disability benefits.

The letter does NOT need to detail your med

history or your need for an accommodat

The simpler the letter is, the better.

The Schedule A regulation also states tha

be appointed under the authority, one mus

certified as job ready. So what does it mea

be job ready? Though the Schedule A regula

uses the term “Certification of Job Readine

this certification does not need to be a fo

certificate in the traditional sense. Job readi

can be certified in a number of ways:

v An agency can (and should) review 

resume and references to determ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUEST

Q. I found a job vacancy that 

in applying for, and I want 

A. What’s next?

A. Once you have your resum

in order, and have obtaine

disability, you are ready to a

to the appropriate person w

you are applying to for assist

Be prepared to put some tim

finding the correct person th

You may apply online throug

Web site or the specific 

Web site. Make sure you follo

instructions as given in the jo

you fill out the application, in

apply under Schedule A.

Q. Who can help?

A. If you want to apply for a job u

contact the DPM or SPC at t

you want to work. You can 

career counselor or vocatio

counselor for information. If 

you may want to contact a VA 

Q. Is there a probationary pe

A. Yes, two years. During proba

employees are held to the s

standards as all other employ
THE ABCs

If you are interested in working for the 

federal government, your first task is 

to identify an open position you want 

to apply for, if you don’t already have 

one in mind. 

Most federal vacancies are advertised 

on the USAJOBS Web site, found at 

www.usajobs.opm.gov. This is the 

Federal government’s official site for job 

information and includes over 16,000 job 

postings. Through this site, you can search 

for openings in a particular field, city, or 

agency, or all three (you also can signup for e-mail alerts about job openings 

by type of job, agency, and/or geographic 

area). If you cannot access the internet 

or need additional assistance, you can 

call 202-606-2525. There is also an 

automated telephone system that can 

be reached at 703-724-1850 (voice) or 

978-461-8404 (TTY).

Not all agencies use USAJOBS to 

announce job vacancies. So it is 

important to check specific agency 

Web sites for additional information 

about employment opportunities. A 

listing of agency sites can be found at 

www.usa.gov.

A Q. A

 S

A. N

tr

va

co

Q. If 

a

A. N
RESOURCES

Advocacy Groups – There are several di

advocacy groups that also serve as excellent res

for recruiting and hiring individuals with disab

The following is a sampling of those resources:

v	American Association of People with Disabil

www.aapd-dc.org

v	American Council of the Blind www.acb.org

v	Council of State Administrators of Vocationa

Rehabilitation www.rehabnetwork.org

v	Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government 

www.dhhig.org

v	National Council on Independent Living 

www.ncil.org

Federal Resources – There are numerous f

programs designed to meet the needs of peop

disabilities in finding employment. The followi

non-exhaustive list of programs/resources:

v	The Office of Personnel Management’s “Disa

Site” www.opm.gov/disability

v The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of 

Disability Employment Policy www.dol.gov/o

v The federal government’s one-stop Web site 

people with disabilities, their families, empl

veterans and service members, workforce 

professionals, and many others. 

www.disability.gov
Advocacy Groups – There are several 

advocacy groups that also serve as excellent re

for recruiting and hiring individuals with dis

The following is a sampling of those resource

v	American Association of People with Disab

www.aapd-dc.org

v	American Council of the Blind www.acb.or

v	Council of State Administrators of Vocatio

Rehabilitation www.rehabnetwork.org

v	Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Government 

www.dhhig.org

v	National Council on Independent Living 

www.ncil.org

Federal Resources – There are numerous 

programs designed to meet the needs of peo

disabilities in finding employment. The follow

non-exhaustive list of programs/resources:

v	The Office of Personnel Management’s “D

Site” www.opm.gov/disability

v The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of 

Disability Employment Policy www.dol.gov

v The federal government’s one-stop Web si

people with disabilities, their families, em

veterans and service members, workforce 

professionals, and many others. 

www.disability.gov

RESOURCES
RESOURCES

RECRUITMENT/HIRING

ABILITYJobs and JobAccess – 

enables people with disabilities to p

for potential employers to view a

opportunities posted by employer

also includes information abou

reasonable accommodations. For 

see www.jobaccess.org.

CareerOneStop – The CareerOn

sponsored by the U.S. Depart

provides a variety of services to e

seekers. The site also offers i

other service provider locatio

employment, training, and econom

Visit www.careeronestop.org for m

eSIGHT.org – eSIGHT is a cross

community addressing disability em

Explore all they have to offer at ww

GettingHired.com – This free 

provides a jobs database and other 

with disabilities and the employer

Further in ailable at www.gettingh
INTRODUCTION

There are many advantages to working 

for the federal government. Federal 

employees serve in a wide variety 

of exciting jobs, earn good wages, 

receive medical benefits, and make a 

difference through public service! The 

federal government hires people in 

many different fields, from accounting 

to public affairs, health care to law 

enforcement, and everything in 

between. 

For so many, however, the steps to 

getting a federal job seem numerous 

and difficult. This does not have to 

be the case. There are many different 

paths to federal employment, and for 

individuals with disabilities, one of 

those paths is the Schedule A hiring 

authority.

So what is Schedule A?

Schedule A is an excepted service 

hiring authority available to federal 

agencies to hire and/or to promote 

individuals with disabilities without 

competing the job. Utilizing the 

WRP – The Wo

recruitment an

federal sector 

motivated post

graduates with 

their abilities i

or permanent jo

and range fro

students and la

is available thr

ready to help y

hiring needs! F

www.wrp.gov.

For Veterans wit

organizations a

veterans with 

employment. T

resources to kee

v	The U.S. Dep

Employment 

www.dol.gov/

v	Hire Heroes w

v	Wounded Wa

www.wounde
Back Page

(Crop at line) 

U.S. Equal Employment O

1-800-669-4000 / TT

www.ee