Jobs with the Federal Government. Lori Conlan, PhD Director, Office of Postdoc Services, OITE, NIH

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1 Jobs with the Federal Government Lori Conlan, PhD Director, Office of Postdoc Services, OITE, NIH

2 Agencies needing scientists NIH HHS NOAA NASA EPA NSF USDA CDC FBI DoD (CDMRP and VA) DoE DARPA FDA Smithsonian Public Health Service Congress/Congressional Branch

3 Types of Jobs- Non-bench Administration/Program Grant officer (Health Science Administrator) Grants Management Specialists Program analysts, interdisciplinary scientists Center for scientific review Policy Legislative analyst Strategic Policy analyst Education Training programs Regulatory Review officers, inspectors, interdisciplinary scientists Tech transfer

4 Types of Jobs-Bench Discovery-based science (PI, staff scientist, technician, postdoc, biologist) NIH, FDA, USDA/ARS, DoD, DoE, CDC, EPA, NASA Regulation-based science (testing, toxicology, QA/QC) FDA, USDA, CDC, EPA Service science (core facilities) All agencies above, FBI, VA

5 Finding Jobs Agency websites: ( USAJOBS The official job site of the US Federal Government Contractor websites Juju ( keyword = NIH contractor) Websites for Kelly Scientific, Lockheed Martin, SAIC, Discovery Logic, etc. (see blog post)

6 Federal Hiring Mechanisms Title 5 positions (General Schedule) Basic classification and compensation system for white collar Federal jobs Federal benefits and retirement Requires US citizenship Title 42 positions (Administratively Determined) Many science positions and clinical research support positions Federal benefits and retirement May be No citizenship requirement Contract positions Using a wide range of companies-- see our blog post: Differing citizenship requirement Not eligible for Federal benefits or retirement

7 Citizenship Most Government jobs require CITIZENSHIP (perm resident is not enough) If you are a non-citizen there are 2 option (albeit slim) Administratively Determined (AD). At the NIH called Title 42 Contract positions Likely bench positions, and may be found by directly contacting labs

8 Hiring Reform Seeks to Cut Red Tape Hiring Reform Executive Order 80 days No KSA s (knowledge, skills, abilities) Multiple choice questions Ratings Scoring System 5 day announcement

9 The Process: Step by Step HR Program identifies the need Position description is written Position is announced Announcement closes Review of applications Ranking of candidates The certificate is issued Appointment authority is determined Program Manager reviews resumes Interviews some or all candidates Makes selection recommendation to HR HR Offer is made by HR within 2 days GOAL: 80 days NIH AVERAGE 62 DAYS!

10 The Vacancy Announcement Read the announcement carefully Pay close attention to who may apply MP or status announcements are Federal employee only Citizenship requirements for GS positions are firm Follow all directions specifically Note any special qualifications or job duties Note any required documentation They mean it when they request transcripts

11 Once the vacancy closes HR screens for eligibility HR assigns a rating/ranking Subject matter experts can be used for technical/scientific jobs HR sends top candidates to managers on a Certificate Managers decide who to interview HR communicates status to applicants online

12 A Job Announcement

13 GS Pay Schedule (Metro-DC) Pay varies by location

14 The Duties Tab

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16 Your Federal Resume Personal info (Name, address, phone numbers, , & Veteran s preference) Job details for all relevant work experience with start & end dates; also include salary Education and relevant Training Special Skills, awards, associations Include non-science work experience and volunteer experiences Other qualifications

17 Keywords Think carefully about the keywords contained in your resume A single keyword can communicate multiple skills and qualifications Study job announcements for keywords which would be useful E.g., Analyst: might mean you have experience in collecting data, evaluating effectiveness, and researching and developing new processes. Just one keyword can have tremendous power and deliver a huge message.

18 From that FDA Job above-how to write your resume (9) Evaluated scientific and technical data to determine the efficacy of the scientific system. Designed new experiments based on the data to increase the yield of protein purification 10 fold. (15) Recommend methods for performing data analysis or testing of scientific idea. Encourage lab members to use XYZ specific tools to increase the accuracy and speed of their data analysis. (17) Write recommendation on XVY science to discuss the technical competence of the both my project and my mentees projects. Wrote 8 reviews for peer-review for journals X, Y and Z to recommend acceptance of publication or non-acceptance of submitted papers. In these reviews I discussed the technical successes and deficiencies of the scientific design and study plan to help the scientists improve their papers. (19) Delivered scientific presentations at national meetings including the Biophysics meeting and FASEB Conferences. Presented 7 posters and 2 platform presentations. Presented science weekly during lab meeting. Delivered a 7 yearly journal club presentations on AXY topic.

19 Research Associate IV Protein Expression and Purification (PEP) Developed efficient and reproducible platforms for high-throughput expression, purification, and characterization of recombinant proteins in various strains of Escherichia coli using liquid-handling robots and microfluidic assay technology Consulted management on technical and logistics issues regarding novel platforms and uses of microarray and cloning technologies Negotiated and persuaded management to adopt new approach to microarray technology as a research tool to studying protein-dna interactions within microbial genome Evaluated and characterized multiple expression vectors and host systems in an effort to optimize protein expression Expressed and purified several libraries, comprising recombinant proteins of microbial origin and different classes, in large-scale cultures and microtitre plates via batch and column chromatography methods Characterized recombinant proteins via end-point and kinetic assays and analyzed their statistical patterns of expression and solubility Prepared reviews of data, protocols, and manuscripts with recommendations for revision Optimized functional assays for better characterization of the target proteins Trained junior-level research staff on relevant methods and procedures Provided inputs and feedback to external investigators on the content of technical or scientific documents or materials Provided technical advice and guidance to peers, academic scientists, or researchers on the methods or standards used in review and research studies regarding microarray technologies and protein expression. Delivered scientific presentation during the conference workshop on various applications of microarray technology Drafted research documents to educate peers, scientific researchers, or academic staff, regarding certain research methodologies Defined specific problems for review and determined alternative approaches and strategies for continuous improvement with regard to nucleic acid hybridization and protein expression

20 An example - Dr. Shawn Mullen Current position: Graduate Program Coordinator, OITE GS12 First job out of postdoc Contractor in OITE Hired through Kelly Services Pay comparable to GS11

21 Why he was competitive for the job During his postdoc Shawn: Was involved in NIH Fellows Committee Assumed leadership positions during his last year Helped his PI organize the Mid-Atlantic Diabetes Research Symposium Got to know a number of influential NIH administrators During his interview, Shawn: Expressed a willingness to take on administrative responsibilities Showed how his science would benefit the position

22 More resources, Watch previous OITE career workshops, including many on CVs, resumes and cover letters Connect with me on Linked-In and join the NIH Intramural Science Linked-In group Read the OITE Careers blog Join the OITE NIH Training Alumni database if you are/were a student or fellow here me (Lori Conlan) at conlanlo@mail.nih.gov

23 More resources Connect with me on Linked-In and join the NIH Intramural Science Linked-In group Watch previous OITE career workshops, including many on CVs, resumes and cover letters Read the OITE Careers blog and join the Twitter Join the OITE NIH Training Alumni database if you are/were a student or fellow here me at conlanlo@mail.nih.gov

24 Executive Order Only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for, and be appointed to, competitive service jobs. With Office of Personnel Management approval, agencies are permitted to hire non-citizens when there are no qualified citizens available. (highly unusual)