1.

Be a career (tenure group I) or career-conditional (tenure group II) employee in the competitive service who:

(a) has been (or is being) separated from an Executive branch agency through reduction in force, or because of a declination of a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area; or

(b) was separated because of a compensable injury, whose compensation has been terminated, and whose former agency is unable to place him or her; or

(c) retired with a disability and have been notified that your disability annuity has been or will be terminated; or

(d) is in receipt of a RIF separation notice who retired on the effective date of the RIF or under the discontinued service option; or

(e) is a former Military Reserve or National Guard Technician who is receiving a special OPM disability retirement annuity.

2.

Have a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent (Level III). (Note: this requirement does not apply to those who qualify for ICTAP under 1. (b), (c), (d) or (e) above);

3.

Occupy or have been displaced from a position in the same commuting area of the vacancy;

4.

Apply for a vacancy by the announcement closing date that is at or below the grade level from which you are being (or may be) separated that does not have a higher career ladder; and

5.

Score 90 or higher for the specific vacancy for which you apply.

You are eligible for special selection priority at NSF upon the date (whichever is earliest):

The agency issues your RIF separation notice, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area;

OPM has notified you that your disability annuity has been or will be terminated;

An agency certifies that it cannot place you after you were separated due to compensable injury; or

The National Guard Bureau or Military Department certifies that you received a disability retirement and are receiving the special OPM annuity.

Your eligibility for special selection priority through ICTAP expires on the earliest of:

One year after your involuntary separation;

One year after your agency certifies that you cannot be placed after being separated because of a compensable injury;

One year after you receive notification that your disability annuity has been or is being terminated (if you retired with a disability);

When you receive a career, career-conditional, or excepted service appointment without time limit in any agency;

When you no longer meet the eligibility requirements (e.g., the RIF or other action is canceled; you are no longer being separated by RIF; you accept and are moved to another position-time-limited or permanent-prior to the RIF date; or you separated by resignation or non-discontinued service retirement prior to the RIF effective date); or

With NSF, if you decline an official offer of a permanent position with NSF.

If you are an ICTAP eligible candidate, you may exercise your special selection priority by:

Applying directly for a vacancy that is in the local commuting area from which you are being (or may be) separated;

Attaching proof of eligibility (e.g., your RIF separation notice or notice of proposed separation for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area). If you have already been separated, a copy of your SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action, documenting your separation from Federal Service, can serve as adequate documentation.

Your application materials/information will be reviewed against the requirements for the position to determine if you are well-qualified for that particular position (you must score at least 85).