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Presidential Management Fellows Program
Answering the Call for Leadership

Thank you for your interest in the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program.

PROGRAM AND APPLICATION OVERVIEW:
The PMF Program is a leadership development fellowship designed to attract outstanding master's or doctoral-level students to careers in the Federal service. Originally created in 1977, this Fellowship is a stepping stone to highly visible and respected leadership positions in the Federal Government. On November 21, 2003, the President signed Executive Order 13318, modernizing the Presidential Management Intern (PMI) Program, in keeping with his emphasis on the strategic management of the Federal Government's human capital. The Executive order renamed the PMI Program to the Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) Program to better reflect its high standards, rigor, and prestige. This rigorous two-year paid program includes 80-hours of training each year, challenging assignments, accelerated promotions, and opportunities to network between agencies. Fellows are hired by agencies and given exposure to domestic and international issues in such areas as public administration, technology, science, criminal justice, health and financial management.

ELIGIBILITY
Students applying to the PMF Program (Class of 2005) must complete graduate degree requirements (master's or doctoral-level degree) from an academic institution formally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education within the specified time frame of September 1, 2004 to August 31, 2005. Students are eligible to be nominated by their schools if they demonstrate the following:

  • breadth and quality of accomplishments,
  • capacity for leadership, and
  • a commitment to a career in the analysis and management of public policies and programs.

CITIZENSHIP
Opportunities for Federal employment for non-United States citizens through the Presidential Management Fellows Program are extremely limited. By law, Federal agencies are prohibited from hiring anyone who is not a United States citizen for positions in the continental United States. There are certain exemptions to this restriction. A non-citizen may be eligible for employment if the individual is: (1) permitted by a Federal agency's appropriation act or agency-specific statutes covering the hiring of non-citizens, and (2) eligible to work under U.S. immigration laws. PMFs must possess United States citizenship by the conclusion of the two-year fellowship. If a non-United States citizen is appointed as a PMF by a Federal agency and does not possess full United States citizenship at the conclusion of the two-year fellowship, by Executive Order 13318, the non-United States citizen cannot be converted to a permanent career or career-conditional appointment.

For information on U.S. immigration laws and U.S. citizenship, go to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website at www.dhs.gov.

NOMINATION PROCESS
Students who wish to be considered for the PMF Program must be nominated by their school's Nomination Official (Dean, Chairperson, or Program Director, or their designee, such as a Nomination Coordinator) of their graduate program. Each school conducts a competitive screening process to evaluate its graduating PMF applicants based on the above eligibility criteria, and makes its final determination of nominees by October 31, 2004. Students must first check with their school's Nomination Coordinator to confirm the school's process and deadlines for nomination into the PMF Program. Please note that the deadline for student applications is October 15, 2004, unless a school's established application deadline is earlier than October 15, 2004.

ASSESSMENT PROCESS
The first step in the selection process is an assessment of the nominee's Accomplishment Record to determine Semi-Finalists. Nominees who are selected as Semi-Finalists will be notified of their status by December 31, 2004. Semi-Finalists will be invited to participate in a day-long OPM-sponsored Assessment Center process that will include a proctored written exercise, as well as an oral presentation and a group exercise. Participants will need to make arrangements to attend one of 17 Assessment Center sites across the United States. The Assessment Center process normally begins in early January and ends by mid-February 2005. Semi-Finalists will be notified by early March 2005 as to whether or not they have been chosen as a Finalist.

Most Finalists participate in the annual Job Fair held in Washington, DC; information about the annual PMF Job Fair is posted on the PMF website. Finalists have access to an online job bank, the PMF Projected Positions System, to help them find opportunities with participating Federal agencies.

Finalists in the PMF Program may be appointed following: (1) official announcement of their selection as Finalists, (2) completion of all graduate degree requirements (not necessarily to have graduated) from an academic institution formally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, and (3) completion of security clearance process (if required by the hiring agency). PMF appointments must be made by December 31, 2005, for all Class of 2005 PMF Finalists.

APPOINTMENT
PMFs receive an initial two-year excepted service appointment. PMFs are appointed at the GS-9 level, Step 1 (or its equivalent)* and are eligible for various employment benefits (i.e., holidays, vacations, insurance, etc.).

After successful completion of the first year, PMFs are eligible for promotion to GS-11, Step 1 (or its equivalent)* as desired by the hiring agency.

Upon completion of the two-year fellowship, PMFs are eligible for appointment to permanent career or career-conditional status and are eligible for promotion to GS-12, Step 1 (or its equivalent )*. * Salary is based on the current General Schedule. Some geographic locations include additional locality adjustments.

NOTE: PMFs with prior higher level Federal Government service may be placed at a higher step within the GS-9 rate range consistent with the maximum payable rate rules under section 531.203(c) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

BENEFITS
As employees of the Federal Government, PMFs earn annual leave and sick leave, and are paid for Federal holidays. PMFs are covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Upon appointment, PMFs may elect life insurance, health insurance and thrift savings plan options. For additional information on these benefits, please visit: www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/index.asp.

CAREER DEVELOPMENT
The PMF Program places a strong emphasis on leadership development. During the two-year fellowship, PMFs experience a myriad of challenging career opportunities. The PMF Program Office facilitates and provides structured orientation and graduation training programs. Federal agencies arrange for on-the-job training and other developmental opportunities such as seminars, briefings and conferences. Agencies are to provide at least 80 hours of formal training a year, including training in core competencies targeted to a functional area into which the Fellows will most likely be converted. Federal agencies also provide PMFs with at least one rotational assignment. These rotational assignments are designed to provide the PMF with a broader perspective on the Federal Government.

PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE
To be entitled to preference, a veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code. When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application. To find out whether you qualify for veterans' preference, visit www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm.

NOTICE TO NATIVE AMERICANS OF FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED TRIBES
Indian preference applies to all positions within the Bureau of Indian Affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Students who are members of a Federally recognized tribe, and who are interested in pursuing employment with these organizations, will be required to submit a completed Form BIA 4432, Verification of Indian Preference for Employment in Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Service Only, upon request by OPM. Do not send documentation at time of application. The Form BIA 4432 is available on the "Forms" page of the PMF website, as a Microsoft Word (.doc) and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) file format for your convenience.

HOW TO APPLY
The PMF Online Application and Resumé Builder (OPM Form 1300) contains a format for entering all the information that is necessary for the initial application process, including resumé components that include education, work history and other information. Please follow the instructions provided on the website to complete, edit, print, revise and submit your Online Application and Resumé. The Online Application is available September 1 through October 15, annually on the PMF website.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The Federal Government is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring and advancement are based on qualifications and performance, regardless of your race, color, marital status, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation or political affiliation.

FAQs: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: Who is eligible?
A: Students who complete graduate degree requirements (master's or doctoral-level degree) from an academic institution formally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education during the current academic year. Individuals applying for the 2005 PMF Class must complete all of their graduate-level degree requirements between September 1, 2004 and August 31, 2005, to be eligible for placement with a Federal Agency. This includes the successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation.

Q: When is the deadline for applying?
A: The PMF application must be completed by Friday, October 15, 2004, Midnight, Eastern Time.

Q: Do I have to have a certain grade point average?
A: No. However, Nomination Coordinators establish competitive campus nomination processes to insure that the best candidates from their programs are nominated.

Q: Do I have to have a certain type of degree (e.g., MPA, MSW)?
A: No. The PMF Program accepts applicants from a wide variety of graduate-level academic backgrounds and disciplines. However, students must complete graduate degree requirements (master's or doctoral-level degree) from an academic institution formally accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education during the current academic year.

Q: Is preference given to honorably discharged veterans?
A: Yes. To be entitled to preference, a veteran must meet the eligibility requirements in section 2108 of title 5, United States Code. When applying for Federal jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application. To find out whether you qualify for veterans' preference, visit www.dol.gov/elaws/vetspref.htm.

Q: Does the program accept individuals with disabilities?
A: Yes. The Federal government is an equal opportunity employer. Hiring and advancement are based on qualifications and performance, regardless of your race, color, marital status, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, sexual orientation or political affiliation. Reasonable accommodations are provided to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Q: How do PMF Finalists learn about possible Federal agency PMF hiring opportunities?
A: PMF positions are posted to an online job bank, the PMF Projected Positions System, on the PMF website each year. In addition, a Job Fair conducted exclusively for PMF Finalists is held in the Washington, DC area in the spring of the year Finalists are notified. Federal agency representatives attend the Job Fair and discuss their PMF hiring opportunities with the PMF Finalists who attend. You do not have to attend the Job Fair to secure a PMF appointment, but the Job Fair is an excellent source of Federal Agency contacts for PMFs. Job Fair information is available on the PMF website.

Q: If selected as a Finalist, am I guaranteed a Federal job?
A: No. Being selected as a Finalist makes you eligible for a PMF appointment by a Federal Agency, but you must find the appropriate job for you.

Q: How long does the Fellowship last?
A: PMFs receive an initial two-year appointment to an excepted service position in the Federal Government. At the end of their successful fellowship, PMFs may be converted to a permanent Federal position. The decision to convert a PMF to a permanent position is made by the Federal Agency to which the PMF is assigned.

Q: Is the Fellowship paid?
A: Yes. PMFs receive an initial two-year excepted service appointment. PMFs are appointed at the GS-9 level, Step 1* and are eligible for various employment benefits (i.e., holidays, vacations, etc.). After successful completion of the first year, PMFs are eligible for promotion to GS-11, Step 1* as desired by the hiring Agency. Upon completion of the two-year fellowship, PMFs are eligible for conversion to career or career-conditional status and are eligible for promotion to GS-12, Step1*.

* Salary is based on the current General Schedule. Some geographic locations include additional locality adjustments of up to 24.21% of the base salary. You can view these on OPM's website at: www.opm.gov/oca/payrates/index.htm.

NOTE: PMFs with prior higher level Federal Government service may be placed at a higher step within the GS-9 rate range consistent with the maximum payable rate rules under section 531.203(c) of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

Q: Can I be hired above the PMF entry-level pay rates if I have special skills, experience or education?
A: No. The PMF entry grade is established by PMF Program regulation. A higher step within the GS-9 grade may be permissible under certain Federal procedures, but only if a Fellow had prior higher level Federal civilian government service.

Q: What benefits do PMFs receive?
A: As employees of the Federal Government, PMFs earn annual leave and sick leave and are paid for Federal holidays. PMFs are covered under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Upon appointment, PMFs may elect life insurance, health insurance and thrift savings plan options. For additional information on these benefits, please visit www.opm.gov/Employment_and_Benefits/index.asp.

Q: Do Federal agencies reimburse PMFs for their households move to their first assignment?
A: Each Federal agency determines whether their agency may pay a relocation bonus to a PMF. Traditionally, first move expenses are the responsibility of the new PMF hire.

Q: Does the Fellowship provide any special training opportunities?
A: Yes. The PMF Program places a strong emphasis on career development. During the two-year fellowship, PMFs experience a myriad of challenging career opportunities. The PMF Program Office facilitates and provides structured orientation and graduation training programs. Federal agencies arrange for on-the-job training and other developmental opportunities such as seminars, briefings and conferences. Federal agencies also provide PMFs with at least one rotational assignment. These rotational assignments are designed to provide the PMF with a broader perspective on the Federal Government.

Q: How can I take advantage of the Student Loan Repayment Program?
A: Student loan repayment programs are agency specific. The Office of Personnel Management recently issued final regulations increasing the maximum amounts Federal agencies are authorized to repay under the Federal Student Loan Repayment Program, as provided for in part 537 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations. The amount paid by the agency is now subject to the following maximum limits: (1) $10,000 per employee per calendar year; and (2) A total of $60,000 per employee.

For complete details, see www.opm.gov/oca/PAY/StudentLoan (Federal Student Loan Repayment Program) and www.opm.gov/fedregis/2004/69-042004-21039-a.pdf (Federal Register notice of revisions to part 537 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations).

NEED HELP?
Please contact us by sending an email to PMF@opm.gov, fax us at (202) 606-3040, or write to us at:

U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Presidential Management Fellows Program
1900 E Street, NW., Room 1425
Washington, DC 20415-9820
Web: www.pmf.opm.gov



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