Schedule A Hiring
The United States Office of Personnel Management (OPM) works in several broad categories to recruit, retain, and honor a world-class workforce for the federal government. OPM manages Federal job announcement postings at USAJOBS.gov, and sets policy on government hiring procedures.
Executive departments and federal agencies are stepping up their efforts to employ workers with disabilities in response to Executive Order 13548, "Increasing Federal Employment of Individuals with Disabilities," which requires Federal agencies to increase the hiring of people with disabilities by 100,000 between 2010 and 2015.
To help reach this goal, OPM is actively seeking to hire and retain individuals with disabilities to fill federal jobs. The OPM web site offers excellent resources to assist individuals with disabilities in finding the right job fit for them within the federal government.
Disability Employment: This link provides access to a wide range of OPM resources and information related to employment for individuals with disabilities in the federal government. Learn about types of jobs available, how to conduct a job search, the steps in the hiring process, requesting reasonable accommodations, and much more.
Shared list of Candidates: This link takes you to information about the OPM Chief Human Capital Officers' Shared List of People with Disabilities, a database of candidates with disabilities who are eligible to apply for employment through the Schedule A hiring authority. Learn how interested and qualified job seekers with disabilities can submit résumés and be included on the shared list, used by all federal agencies to facilitate their employment of people with disabilities.
Schedule A Hiring: What is the Schedule A Hiring Authority?
Schedule A is a government hiring authority designed to help Federal agencies meet Affirmative Action obligations regarding hiring individuals with disabilities. Schedule A is different than the basic process for hiring skilled workers into Federal service. It is established in Federal regulation for the purpose of making hiring workers with disabilities much easier and faster.
Schedule A is used when a Federal manager wants to quickly hire an individual with a disability. The Federal government, our nation's largest employer, hires highly talented people for careers in a variety of fields, including: Accounting, Clerical, Food Service, Information Technology, Legal, Maintenance, Science, Technical Writer/Editor, Policy, Management/Administration, and many more. ENs who understand and use Schedule A can assist Social Security beneficiaries to become part of a skilled and professional Federal workforce.
Federal Job Vacancies and How to Apply
Most Federal vacancies are advertised on USAJOBS, the official website for information on Federal jobs. USAJOBS hosts thousands of job postings from all over the country. Anyone can use this site to search for openings in a particular field, location or discipline. Users can sign-up for e-mail notices about job openings by type of job, agency, and geographic area. Users should also check specific agency sites for information on employment opportunities if a beneficiary has a particular agency or field in mind. A list of Federal agency websites can be found at www.usa.gov.
When a user finds a vacancy, she/he must first follow the basic steps in the application process. Beneficiaries may need the assistance of their ENs to complete this process correctly. First, use the resume template provided on the USAJOBS website to create a complete resume and submit it through USAJOBS. This requires the applicant to provide all the necessary application information for consideration. Many Federal vacancies also require the submission of other documents (e.g., writing samples, college transcripts, etc.) as part of the application package. It is critical that the applicant read each job announcement very carefully to ensure that the application includes all the required documents.
In addition to following these basic steps outlined for the application process, an applicant must also submit proof of his/her disability to be considered under the Schedule A appointing authority. Proof of disability for beneficiaries is simply their status as an SSI or SSDI beneficiary. Additional information of the person's medical history or need for an accommodation is not necessary. For more information about Schedule A, click on the following links:
Once an applicant submits proof of disability, the hiring agency may make a permanent, temporary, or time-limited Schedule A appointment for a position, if it is determined that the applicant is right for the job. Under the Schedule A authority, agencies have the option of giving Schedule A applicants who do not have work, educational, or other relevant experience a temporary appointment, to allow them to prove their ability to perform on the job. In these situations, the agency may convert the applicant, non-competitively, to a permanent position once it is satisfied that she/he can perform the job.
Finally, before an applicant submits a resume/application, it is important for the applicant, or his/her EN, to contact the Disability Program Manager (DPM) or Selective Placement Coordinator (SPC) at the relevant Federal agency. Applicants can find the appropriate person by either using the contact information included in the vacancy announcement (all announcements include a phone number or e-mail address to be used for questions) or by searching a directory of SPCs maintained by the OPM. Please note that the directory is not always accurate and that not all agencies have a DPM or SPC. As a result, the beneficiary (or the beneficiary's EN) may need to speak with a human resources (HR) professional within the agency instead. When your EN is contacting a Federal HR professional concerning possible employment opportunities, always explain that you are referring to Schedule A for persons with disabilities. If the beneficiary is a veteran, the beneficiary and/or the EN may both want to contact a VA counselor for additional information and options.
It is important to note that not all Federal agencies use Schedule A. Since some have other hiring flexibilities (similar to Schedule A) designed to facilitate the hiring of persons with disabilities, it is important to check with each agency.
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 prohibits federal contractors and subcontractors from discriminating in employment against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to take affirmative action to recruit, hire, promote, and retain such individuals.
Recent Changes
On August 27, 2013, the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) announced a Final Rule making changes to the regulations implementing Section 503. The Final Rule strengthens the affirmative action provisions of the regulations and aids contractors in their efforts to recruit and hire and improve job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The Final Rule, which went into effect on March 24, 2014, was published in the Federal Register on September 24, 2013:
- Establishes a 7% utilization goal for individuals with disabilities;
- Requires covered contractors to invite applicants and current employees to voluntarily self-identify as an individual with a disability; and
- Requires contractors to maintain several quantitative measurements and comparisons for the number of individuals with disabilities who apply for jobs and the number of individual with disabilities they hire in order to create greater accountability for employment decisions and practices.
Finding Federal Contractors
There are many ways to find Federal contractors. This can be accomplished by searching through websites where organizations awarded funding by the Federal government are catalogued for specific business or administrative purposes, and by visiting the website for national associations whose members are Federal contractors and subcontractors. You can jumpstart your search for federal contractors at the Federal Procurement Data System - Next Generation website or by using the General Services Administration (GSA) Subcontracting Directory.
Resource: Step-by-Step Guide to Locating Federal Contractors on the Federal Procurement Data System (DOC)(PDF)
USASpending.gov is a searchable website that provides information on Federal contracts and awards. The information can be search by contractor/recipient name, date of transaction, awarding agency/program, geographic location of entity receiving the award, etc.
Resource: User's Guide to Locating Federal Contractors on USASpending.gov (PDF)
OFCCP maintains a pre-award registry which is published on the U.S. Department of Labor's website. This registry is a listing of companies that have responded to announcements for Federal contract opportunities during the previous 24 months.
Finding Federal Contractors through National Associations
Associated General Contractors of America: The leading association for the construction industry operates in partnership with its nationwide network of 95 chartered Chapters to provide a full range of services designed to improve the quality of construction and protecting the public interest.
National Industry Liaison Group: A national association of Federal contractor companies.
Professional Services Council: The PSC is the national trade association of the government professional and technical services industry. Its more than 370 member companies represent small, medium, and large businesses that provide Federal agencies with services of all kinds.
Resources for Job Seekers and Employers
There are many websites on which employers can post job openings and search for qualified candidates to fill positions and that job seekers use to search for employers. Below you will find a listing of job search engines and website you may find helpful when looking for qualified job candidates. You can also print and use the directory document included on this page. Check back frequently for updated entries and additions to these lists.
Resource: Job Banks and Posting Services: Resources for Service Providers and Employers (DOC) (PDF)
Assistive Technology Resources
Assistive Technology Connects: AT Connects is a Federally-funded information platform designed to inform users, purchasers, family members and professionals about assistive technology.
AbleData: AbleData provides information on assistive technology and rehabilitation equipment available from domestic and international sources for use within the United States.
Federal Communications Commission Disability Rights Office: The FCC Disability Rights Office provides information and access to the Telecommunications Relay Service for communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Federal Relay Service: The FCC operates the free Federal relay service for communication with individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
U.S. Department of Labor Resources
US. jobs by the National Labor Exchange (NLX): This website can be of great use to Employment Networks (EN) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies. It is the primary Federal and State job posting and job search source for employers and State Workforce Agencies. The result of a partnership between the Direct Employers Association and the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA), US.jobs provides information on career resources and the ability to browse jobs by member-company and by state. You can find information on Section 503 and the Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act by clicking on the "OFCCP Compliance" icon under Employers. ENs may use this system to post their agency's job openings. The NLX collects job posting information from employers and feeds it into the US.jobs system. The job openings are exclusively found on over 9,000 corporate career websites and from the state job banks.
Disability and Employment Community of Practice (CoP): The Disability and Employment Community of Practice is an online learning destination for public Workforce system staff and partners, job seekers, community-based organizations, grantees, and the business sector that provide services and programs to people with disabilities and/or other challenges to employment. It is a "one-stop-shop" venue for Workforce practitioners to find or share high quality information about how to better provide integrated, seamless, and accessible services and programs to people with disabilities and/or other challenges to employment.
Information on Labor Force Participation Rate and the Unemployment Rate:
Explanation of the various disability and Employment Statistics
Disability Statistics (scroll down to near the bottom right hand corner)
Discussion of the Employment Rate and the Unemployment Rate of People with Disabilities
Employer Resources Related to Section 503
Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN): EARN is a Federally-funded service that helps employers hire and retain workers with disabilities. Employers can also sign up to receive monthly newsletters, weekly e-blasts and periodic blogs of topical interest.
EARN Reference Desk- Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act: Identifies resources and tools to assist federal contractors in implementing changes to Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
Cornell Employment and Disability Institute: Conducts research focused on inclusive workplaces, effective employment and disability policy.
Tools Specific to Section 503
The National Organization on Disability (NOD) and the National Business & Disability Council (NBDC) at The Viscardi Center have developed a tool, the Disability Employment Tracker, to help companies across a range of industries assess their own readiness to launch or improve their hiring of people with disabilities and veterans. For information on how to participate, visit http://www.nod.org/services/tracker.html.
Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a free benchmarking tool for U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) partners that provides a confidential opportunity for employers to receive an objective score on disability inclusion policies and practices. It's an aspirational, educational, recognition tool that helps identify opportunities for continued improvement and helps establish a reputation as an employer of choice. The DEI is a joint initiative with the American Association of People with Disabilities.
Learn more about the DEI by visiting the DEI Website.
View the 2018 DEI Best Places to Work.
Best Practices in Employment for People with Disabilities:
Disability is Diversity: Effective Hiring Practices for Federal Employers, publication by the Federally-funded Employer Assistance and Resource Network (EARN).
Best Practices for the Employment of People with Disabilities In State Government, published by the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Programs Designed for Individuals with Disabilities in Post-Secondary Education and Recent Graduates:
The Workforce Recruitment Program from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy actively recruits students with disabilities on college campuses.
Career Opportunities for Students with Disabilities (COSD) is a unique consortium composed of large and small universities, well known national employers, and U.S. Government agencies focused on the career employment of college graduates with disabilities.
Emerging Leaders helps college students with disabilities find and secure fulfilling internship and leadership opportunities. Emerging Leaders helps corporate and nonprofit employers find outstanding young talent for their business ventures.
Entry Point! is a program of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) offering outstanding internship opportunities for students with disabilities in science, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and some fields of business.