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Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities

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EI-11Federal Employment Information Fact Sheets

Job Opportunities for People with Disabilities

The Federal Government recognizes that people with disabilities have a right to full and fair consideration for any job for which they apply. It strives to offer an environment in which all can reach their highest potential and make a difference for our country.

A Federal career can provide:
  • Any individual the opportunity to excel;
  • challenges of a demanding job; and
  • Advancement potential or individual growth.
Having a disability is not a disadvantage when you apply for employment with the Federal Government or when you pursue career opportunities once you become an employee. Whether it is working on a cure for cancer, designing advanced avionics, or writing procurement contracts worth millions of dollars, the challenge is there for individuals with the right skills, motivation and attitude.

Federal agencies fill jobs two ways, competitively and non-competitively. Persons with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either way. People who are selected for jobs must meet the qualification requirements for the jobs and be able to perform the essential duties of the jobs with or without reasonable accommodation.

Jobs Filled Competitively
Jobs that are filled competitively are advertised through USAJOBS. Each job advertisement contains instructions on how to apply. Approximately 16,000 jobs are available each day.

USAJOBS contains two ways to complete an application: The Federal Job Search and Application Form, OF-612, and the Online Resume Builder. In addition to this basic application, most advertisements require applicants to submit additional statements about their qualifications for the job.

Applicants can register to receive an email every day that matches the type of job they are interested in obtaining. The email notification lasts for 120 days. Applicants can renew their email registration before it expires. Jobs Filled Non-competitively

People with Mental Retardation, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities and have documentation from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits may apply for non-competitive appointment through the Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Applicants with documentation may apply directly to agencies' Selective Placement Coordinators or equivalent to be considered for jobs. Applicants should send a resume plus the pertinent documentation to the Selective Placement Coordinator or equivalent.

THE FEDERAL JOB SEARCH A Three-Step Process
Although the actual job search is your responsibility, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has developed the USAJOBS Federal Employment Information System to assist you along the way. The Federal Employment Information System brings you up-to-date, comprehensive employment information by telephone or computer. Use one of the following self-service methods to obtain listings of the latest Federal job opportunities as well as State, local and private listings. You can also use the System to obtain information on a wide variety of Federal employment-related topics and programs, application packages, and forms. Employment information can be obtained in text format for the visually impaired from the USAJOBS world-wide-web site. Visually impaired individuals needing additional assistance may call 1/703-724-1850, TDD 1/978-461-8404..

Come Work for America. We have made the process simple! Your job search for Federal career opportunities is a "Three – Step Process."

Step 1 – Create Your Account
Set up your "My USAJOBS" account to:

  • Create & Post resumes
  • Attract employers
  • Have jobs emailed to you

Step 2 – Search for Jobs
YOU DO NOT NEED TO CREATE A "MY USAJOBS" ACCOUNT TO SEARCH FOR JOBS. Just enter your desired job information and search the database of thousands of jobs. Use your resume to apply online instantly.

You can also search our jobs database by phone. Call 1/703-724-1850 or TDD 1/978-461-8404 to access the same information that is on the USAJOBS website.

Step 3 – Manage Your Career
Get all the information and advice you need on obtaining a job in the Government.

It's That Easy!
Daily updates provide a constant influx of opportunities. The USAJOBS system is designed to ensure access for customers with diverse physical and technological capabilities. Apply for a Federal position and make a difference in the lives of the American Public.

SPECIAL APPOINTING AUTHORITIES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
The Federal Government has a special Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) appointing authority for persons with Mental Retardation, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities.

Disabled veterans may also be considered under special hiring programs for disabled veterans with disability ratings from the Department of Veterans Affairs of 30% or more.

Proof of Disability and Certification of Job Readiness
Eligibility for appointment under this Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) authority consists of two parts:

  1. Proof of Disability: An individual wishing to be hired under this Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) authority must provide proof he or she is indeed an individual with mental retardation, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. This proof must be provided to the hiring agency before an individual can be hired.

    This proof may be in the form of documentation obtained from licensed medical professionals, state or private vocational rehabilitation specialists, or any Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits.

  2. Certification of Job Readiness: An individual hired under this authority must be ready to perform the job for which they are being considered. This certification is a statement that the individual is likely to succeed in the performance of the duties of the position for which he or she is applying. For instance, the certification of job readiness for an individual applying for a position as an Administrative Assistant or an Accountant may state that the "individual is likely to succeed performing work in an office environment."

    This certification of job readiness may be obtained from the same individuals that provided the proof of disability. The certification may be on the same documentation as the proof of disability or it may be a separate document.

    In situations where an individual has the proof of disability documentation, but not the certification of job readiness, hiring agencies have the discretion to place an individual on a temporary appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) to determine an individual's job readiness.

Finding a Position
In addition to competing for a position by applying through a vacancy announcement, the Federal Government's Selective Placement programs include a special hiring authority for hiring people with Mental Retardation, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities.

You may apply for employment directly to agencies, which may use this authority to streamline the appointment of people with disabilities. If you are interested in being considered under this special authority, and have proof of disability from a licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits, you should contact the Federal agency where you wish to work. Ask for the Selective Placement or Disability Employment coordinator or their equivalent.

Certain veterans may also be considered under special hiring programs for disabled veterans with disability ratings of 30% or more. Your Department of Veterans Affairs vocational rehabilitation counselor should be able to provide you with additional information about this process.

Agency Selective Placement Program Coordinator (SPPC)
Most Federal agencies have a Selective Placement Program Coordinator, Special Emphasis Manager (SEM) for employment of adults with disabilities, or equivalent, who helps agency management recruit, hire and accommodate people with disabilities at that agency. These Coordinators or Managers have many roles and responsibilities, including:

  • Advising managers about candidates available for placement in jobs under special hiring authorities, and providing managers with information on reasonable accommodation and needs assessments for applicants and employees.
  • Helping managers determine the essential duties of the position, identify architectural barriers and possible modifications that allow people with disabilities to perform essential duties.
  • Helping persons with disabilities get information about current job opportunities, types of jobs in the agency and how these jobs are filled, and reasonable accommodation.
  • Working with public and private organizations involved in the placement of applicants with disabilities to provide information about their agency program and job opportunities and to facilitate the placement of applicants with disabilities in their agency.
  • Monitoring and evaluating selective placement program efforts and activities for people with disabilities to determine their effectiveness, and making changes as needed to improve program effectiveness.
Managers develop, manage and evaluate the agency's Affirmative Employment Program for Individuals with Disabilities. They are primarily located at agency headquarters and can provide information on coordinators at local installations. Use the Selective Placement Program Coordinator (SPPC) directory to find a Coordinator.

Each agency is responsible for monitoring the activities of its designated Selective Placement Coordinators and also for notifying OPM when a new coordinator is selected. When a new Selective Placement Coordinator is selected, agencies must notify OPM by sending an email to DisabilityEmployment@OPM.gov

Reasonable Accommodation
Sometimes it is necessary for Federal hiring officials to make a reasonable workplace accommodation for a person with a disability, if requested and appropriate (unless so doing will result in undue hardship to the agencies). Reasonable accommodation can apply to the duties of the job, and/or where and how job tasks are performed. The accommodation should make it easier for the employee to successfully perform the duties of the position. Examples of reasonable accommodations include providing interpreters, readers, or other personal assistance; modifying job duties; restructuring work sites; providing flexible work schedules or work sites; and providing accessible technology or other workplace adaptive equipment.

An individual can request reasonable accommodation either orally or in writing. Individuals who need reasonable accommodation are responsible for making their needs known to their supervisors. The supervisor and the individual should clarify the individual's needs, and identify the appropriate reasonable accommodation required to meet those needs.

Further details are available on the following websites:

AS OF: 08/11/2009