Sch a ltr what is it

Managers may hire qualified Schedule A candidates for a funded vacancy without issuing a public notice of the job announcement. Targeted outreach and recruitment to disability organizations and employment service providers can help build a pipeline of qualified Schedule A eligible candidates. Below are steps HR Professionals can take to recruit candidates with disabilities:. A5: No. However, Agencies are strongly urged to convert Schedule A appointees at the end of the two year period for noncompetitive conversion.

The intent behind Schedule A is to help people with disabilities attain "civil service competitive status. Schedule A eligible employees may utilize this authority to apply for a higher grade positions. Additionally, at most agencies, time-in grade restrictions do not apply to promotions in the excepted service and there is no limit on the number of times an eligible applicant may be appointed under this authority.

For further information, please visit the OPM website. Partnering with the Employee Resource Group ERG at your agency for persons with disabilities can help you with your recruitment and outreach efforts.

Below are links to National Employee Resource Groups for federal employees and applicants with disabilities:. Build the business case for Schedule A 1. Individualized Recruitment Planning: B. Recruit and Assess Schedule A Applicants 1. Assess Applicant's Qualifications C. Successfully On-board Schedule A Employees 1. Confirm Schedule A Eligibility. What is Schedule A hiring authority for persons with disabilities?

Schedule A is an excepted service hiring authority used to non-competitively hire an individual with: intellectual disabilities severe physical disabilities; or psychiatric disabilities.

These organizations can disseminate job postings and identify candidates. Partner with career centers and disability student services at local colleges and universities to recruit students and recent graduates.

Skill Development HR University A Roadmap to Success: Hiring, Retaining and Including People with Disabilities : This free online course provides Federal employees with resources and strategies to successfully hire, retain, and advance employees with disabilities. EARN supports employers through toll-free technical assistance, individualized consultation, customized trainings, webinars and events, and regular updates on disability employment news.

Department of Defense, connects federal sector, private, and nonprofit employers nationwide with highly motivated, qualified, and pre-screened postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are ready to prove their abilities in summer or permanent jobs. It is provided by OPM free of charge to federal human resources and hiring managers in order to assist in the recruitment of people with disabilities.

Prior to inclusion in the Shared List, candidates proceed through a skills, education, professionalism, and work ethics screening process. Vocational Rehabilitation : Vocational rehabilitation state agencies facilitate a wide range of services for youth and adults with disabilities that help prepare them with skills to meet the workplace needs of business.

The Council of State Administrators of Vocational Rehabilitation has created a National Employment Team The NET that offers businesses a single point of contact to connect with qualified applicants, resources, and support services in their local area.

Employment Networks : Employment Networks are public or private organizations that are authorized by the Social Security Administration's Ticket to Work Program to provide free employment support services to Social Security disability beneficiaries ages 18 to Student Employment Programs. This program helps Federal employers find the right people to fill current and future hiring needs. It also gives students the opportunity to get hands-on experience.

Veterans Appointments. The following is a list of some examples of documents agencies may accept as proof of mental retardation, a severe physical disability or a psychiatric disability. Ultimately, it is the agency's choice what type s of documentation will be acceptable:.

Statements, records or letters from a Federal Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. Certification from a private Vocational Rehabilitation or other Counselor that issues or provides disability benefits. As the regulation is implemented and used by agencies, this list may grow to include other types of certification. OPM will issue additional guidance to agencies on what constitutes "appropriate documentation" on an "as needed" basis.

Yes, proof of the disability is required for appointments of persons with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. This regulation allows agencies to accept as proof of disability documentation from a licensed medical professional e. Can a person with a disability submit the same documentation or certification more than once when applying for a position under this authority?

Must the documentation be dated within a specific timeframe? Provided the information is accurate, there are no OPM imposed limitations on the number of times an applicant may submit such documentation or requirements concerning the timeframe which the documentation must be dated.

What are the eligibility requirements for an applicant to be appointed under 5 CFR Applicants with disabilities must have mental retardation, a severe physical disability or a psychiatric disability; have proof of the disability; certification of job readiness if not hired on a temporary appointment in lieu of the job readiness certification ; and meet all required qualifications for the position.

No, the new rules apply only to those individuals with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. References: Executive Orders and Why do the changes apply only to those with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities? The Executive Orders authorizing these appointments are limited to people with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, and psychiatric disabilities.

Executive Order dated March 15, , and Executive Order dated June 4, , permit individuals with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities to obtain competitive status after two years of satisfactory service in an excepted service position. These Executive Orders were established to assist these individuals with disabilities and to build a Federal workforce that draws from the strength of America's diversity. Is there a comprehensive list of the specific disabilities that are included or excluded under the new rules?

This regulation covers individuals with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities. The new rules do not specifically include or exclude any one particular type of disability under these three classes of disability. Different Federal programs use different operational definitions of disability, as do researchers, advocacy groups, and other interested parties.

Variations occur because many groups define disability for different purposes. Determinations whether a specific disability is included or excluded under the new rules for the purposes of appointment under 5 CFR Hiring agencies may also consult the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of , agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs, and State Vocational Rehabilitative Services offices for additional guidance regarding particular medical conditions.

Are candidates subject to a new 2 year conversion period if they move from one position to another position? No, in a case of a 5 CFR I found a job vacancy that I am interested in applying for, and I want to use Schedule A. Once you have your resume and references in order, and have obtained your proof of disability, you are ready to apply. Reach out to the appropriate person within the agency you are applying to for assistance in applying.

Be prepared to put some time and effort into finding the correct person that can help you. Make sure you follow the application instructions as given in the job posting. When you fill out the application, indicate you wish to apply under Schedule A. You can also contact your career counselor or vocational rehabilitation counselor for information. If you are a veteran, you may want to contact a VA counselor.

Yes, two years. During probation, Schedule A employees are held to the same performance standards as all other employees. An agency can choose to use the traditional competitive process to fill its job vacancies; or they can choose to use the non-competitive Schedule A hiring authority. How does a person with mental retardation, severe physical disability or psychiatric disability apply for Federal jobs the new regulations?

Individuals with disabilities may be considered for excepted service positions under the Because appointments under 5 CFR Applicants should indicate "5 CFR The federal government has special hiring authorities for people with disabilities. Schedule A is one of these.

It helps individuals with disabilities to get, keep, and advance in federal jobs that are matched to their skills and abilities. By utilizing Schedule A to fill a vacancy, an agency can avoid using the traditional, and sometime lengthy, competitive hiring process. You are eligible for a Schedule A appointment if you are a person with a severe physical or mental disability. More often than not, providing accommodations is simple and usually free!

Moreover, you are not alone in trying to work through accommodation requests. Remember, just as we all need assistance at some point in the work place, accommodations may be needed by an individual with a disability. You want all of your employees to be at their best at work, and accommodations play a role in reaching that goal.

Providing accommodations, however, does not have to be a difficult, expensive or time consuming process. No, the new regulation does not provide for priority in Federal hiring. The regulation applies to excepted service appointments. What is the appointment authority for people with disabilities under this regulation? What is the Federal agency's process to convert employees currently under 5 CFR A A third party such as a family member, your career counselor, vocational rehabilitation counselor or VA counselor may contact the agency about your job application on your behalf if it is necessary as an accommodation.

They may also help you compile your application materials, but remember - YOU are in control of your job search. Will I be considered for the new job? I have heard a lot of different terms used in describing the types of hiring done in the federal government.

What are they and what do they mean? There are three services in the federal government and each has different rules and regulations that determine the hiring processes. Competitive Service : Most selections for positions in the federal government are made through a structured competitive process. When an individual goes through the competitive process, they may be hired into the " Competitive Service ".

Excepted Service: Sometimes, Congress or the President create exceptions to the competitive service rules which provide another way for people to apply for and be hired into federal jobs. These non-competitive processes are often referred to as "Non-Competitive Appointments. If I am hired through Schedule A, can I be converted to the competitive service? A Yes. When you are hired through Schedule A, you are in what is called the "Excepted Service.

Is conversion to a career or career-conditional appointment mandatory after two years on a Schedule A appointment under 5 CFR No, conversion to a career or career-conditional appointment is not mandatory. The hiring agency maintains the discretion to determine whether an employee is ready for placement in the permanent career workforce. The agency is not required to convert an individual on the 5 CFR There are numerous federal programs designed to assist people with disabilities in finding employment.

Interested applicants with disabilities may submit appropriate documentation to Bender Consulting Services via e-mail at resume benderconsult. Workforce Recruitment Program - WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal sector employers nationwide with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs. Vocational Rehabilitation VR Programs - VR programs provide a variety of services to help people with disabilities prepare for and engage in gainful employment.

VR services include the following: vocational counseling, training, supported employment services, and job placement services. To find contact information for a local VR provider, click here. Click here to view this video. The Department of Labor's CareerOneStop website , has a number of resources for job seekers, including a resume builder tool, sample resumes and cover letters, and interview tips. There are numerous organizations and agencies that exist to assist veterans with disabilities find and maintain employment.

The following is a sample of useful resources to keep handy:. A number of disability organizations, such as the ones listed below, have great resources that may help with your job search inside and outside of the federal government. Some of those organizations include:. This free consulting service is designed to increase the employability of people with disabilities. JAN provides individualized worksite accommodation solutions, as well as information on job accommodations and related subjects for employers and people with disabilities.

So what is Schedule A? Want more information? Read on! Identify an open position If you are interested in working for the federal government, your first task is to identify an open position for which you want to apply, if you do not already have one in mind. Even better, USAJOBS has a mobile app that will notify you whenever a new vacancy announcement is posted that matches your search criteria. To learn more about saved searches and e-mail notifications, click here.

Prepare your application Once you have identified a job s you would like to apply to, create a USAJOBS account and start preparing your application materials. Step 1: Prepare your resume To apply for a federal job, you need a resume that accurately describes your abilities and qualifications. This can come in handy if you are applying for several positions requiring different skill sets.

Step 3: Obtain your Schedule A documentation To apply using Schedule A, you may also be required to submit documentation that proves you have an intellectual disability, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. You can request this documentation from: Your doctor; A licensed medical professional; A licensed rehabilitation professional; or Any federal, state, District of Columbia, or US territory agency that issues or provides disability benefits.

Please be aware that some agencies may request additional documentation as proof of disability. Apply for the job Once you have your resume and supporting documents in order - including your Schedule A proof of disability documentation - you are ready to apply for the job.

There are several regulations that are generically referred to as "Schedule A.