Skip Navigation Bar
USAJOBS is the official job site of the United States Federal GovernmentOPM logo and link to OPM homepageUSAJOBSĀ® logo, Working for America, homepage link
It's your one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.OPM logo and link to OPM homepageUSAJOBSĀ® logo, Working for America, homepage link
FAQS Privacy Policy Help Site Map OPM logo and link to OPM homepageOPM logo and link to OPM homepage
Home Search Jobs My USAJOBS Forms Employer Services OPM logo and link to OPM homepageOPM logo and link to OPM homepage

Applying for Clerical and Administrative
Support Positions (Grades GS-2/3/4)

Applying for a clerical position just got easier! Taking the Clerical and Administrative Support Exam is no longer the only way to obtain a clerical position at the GS-2/3/4 grade levels with the Federal Government.

Agencies can choose among several options to fill a position, (e.g., commercially developed test, work sample, etc.) . This new procedure will help simplify the process of filling clerical positions.

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) will no longer administer the Clerical and Administrative Support Exam on a regular basis. It will only be given if requested by the hiring agency to fill a position.

Question and Answers

In what ways can an agency fill a clerical position?
The hiring agency may use one or a combination of the options when filling a clerical position. The option the agency selects will be listed on the vacancy announcement for the position. These options may include, Commercially developed test; Rating Schedule/Crediting Plan; Work Sample, and Structured Interviews.

How can I find out what option an Agency is using to fill a position?
The hiring agency will state in the vacancy announcement the option it plans to use. Vacancy announcements can be found on the USAJOBS web site at www.usajobs.opm.gov.

I have already taken the clerical exam and have a valid Notice of Results. Can I use it to apply for a clerical position?
The hiring agency will make the decision on whether to accept notices of ratings previously issued. The agency will post it's decision in the vacancy announcement for the position.

Must agencies use the same hiring option for all clerical positions?
No, typically an agency will decide on a hiring option when it announces a position. Agency decisions on which option to use may vary for each position. Likewise, there is no requirement to use the same hiring option each time an agency fills a specific position.

Experience and Education Requirements for Clerical Positions:
For grade GS-2, you are required to have a high school diploma (or equivalent) or 3 months of experience. For grades GS-3 and GS-4, additional education and/or experience are required.

Some positions may have special requirements in addition to the ones listed above. For example, clerk-typist, office automation clerk, and computer- related positions require typing or other skills. Requirements for the position will be listed in the vacancy announcement.

How to Apply for Clerical Positions
To apply for clerical positions, you must conduct your own job search. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has developed USAJOBS to assist you along the way. USAJOBS is available by Internet and phone. By using USAJOBS, you can access federal job listings, as well as, some state and local government, and private sector listings. USAJOBS provides current information, is updated daily, and is available 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.

STEP 1: USE ANY OF THE AUTOMATED COMPONENTS OF THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
On the USAJOBS web site http://www.usajobs.opm.gov, job seekers can access worldwide current job vacancies, employment information fact sheets, applications and forms, and in some instances, apply for jobs online.

Complete job announcements can be retrieved from the web site. The USAJOBS web site has an Online Resume feature. Resumes created on USAJOBS can be printed, saved and edited for future use, or sent by Fax or mail to employers.

Many of the hiring agencies will accept electronic submissions of resumes created through USAJOBS for vacancies listed on this site.

Automated Telephone System - An interactive voice response telephone system can be reached at 703-724-1850 or TDD 978-461-8404.

Job seekers can access worldwide current job vacancies, employment information fact sheets, and applications and forms, and in some instances, apply for jobs by phone.

STEP 2: OBTAIN THE VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Once you have found an opportunity that interests you, using STEP 1, you will need more information on the specific job and appropriate application forms. Use USAJOBS to obtain a copy of the vacancy announcement. The vacancy announcement is an important source of information. Be sure to read this closely. It will specify the information you need to know to apply for clerical positions. Most of the questions you may have will be answered as you read through the announcement. For example: closing/deadline dates for applications, specific duties of the position, whether or not a written test is required, educational requirements, duty location, salary, etc.

STEP 3: FOLLOW THE APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
You may apply for most jobs with a resume, or the Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF-612), or any written format you choose. For jobs that are filled through automated procedures, Federal agencies may require that you submit a resume and/or other specialized forms. Jobs with unique requirements may require special forms.

AS OF: 9-13-2001



Federal Employment Information Factsheet can be printed as it appears on your browser.

It also can be printed as an exact replica of the official publication (ei-63.pdf). Download the file by clicking on the .pdf file name and follow print help instructions below.

TOP

PRINT TIPS:

To Print your browser File:

*Prints file as it appears on your browser.
Most web browsers support an option to print the document that is displayed on the screen. Simply choose the option to print the document (usually located under the file option) and then choose the option to print. How the document prints is dependent on the printer you are using.

If you are on a local area network (LAN) then you may need to select a printer before you can print. An option to do this is normally available in the same area that you choose to print a document.

You will also need to make sure that the printer is powered on, is on-line, and has paper available.

To Print an *Adobe Acrobat/PDF files:

*Prints exact replica of official publication.
The Adobe Acrobat reader is a freeware product available from Adobe at http://access.adobe.com. There are versions of the Adobe Acrobat reader for several computer platforms. Click here http://access.adobe.com/ to connect to the Adobe Acrobat site. Once there you can obtain the reader for your computer platform. Follow the instructions on the Adobe site to install the reader on your system. Once you have installed the reader you can view or print files that end in .PDF.

Some browsers will allow you to configure a "helper" application that will load the Adobe Acrobat reader whenever you click on a file that ends in .PDF. Please refer to the instructions that came with your web browser on how to set up or install a "helper" application. The Adobe site also contains instructions on how to do this.

The Windows file manager will also allow you to specify an association so that whenever Windows needs to display a file that ends in .PDF it will load the Adobe Acrobat reader.

TOP

eGov logo and link to eGov site
This is a United States Office of Personnel Management website. USAJOBS is the Federal Government's official one-stop source for Federal jobs and employment information.
Working for America

Home | Search Jobs | My USAJOBS | Forms
FAQS | Privacy Policy | Help | Site Map
Employer Services | Contact Us | Privacy Act and Public Burden Information