Federal
Appointments Process Initiative
Frequently Asked Questions
The
NBA has formed the Federal Appointment Process Initiative
(FAPI). The purpose of the FAPI is to increase diversity
in federal appointments by increasing the number of
African-American attorneys serving in the new administration.
This website has resources for identifying opportunities
in the new administration, writing effective resumes,
and approaching the application process for federal
appointments and career positions.
How
can I learn more?
The
NBA is hosting a webcast and live panel on November
17, 2008 in Washington, DC. The program will be held
at the office of Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom,
1440 New York Ave, NW Washington, DC 20817. The program
will begin promptly at 6:30p.m. There is a $25.00 fee
for those attending in person, as there will be a pre-reception
starting at 6:00p.m. and additional time after the program
for individual questions. Please RSVP to NBAFAPI@gmail.com
to obtain the webcast sign-in.
What
kinds of opportunities exist?
There
will be many new opportunities in the new administration.
Opportunities will include advisory committee members,
political appointees, and career employment. The advisory
committees and political positions are filled by presidential
appointment. For the more senior positions, these appointments
require Senate confirmation. Political appointees serve
at the pleasure of the President. Career positions will
be filled as career employees transition out of the
government, either during the transition period or sometime
thereafter. These employees have the opportunity to
continue there employment after any change in the President
or Presidential appointee in the future.
How do I identify appointment opportunities?
The
government has a publication known as the “Plum
Book” that lists all the presidential appointments,
as of November 2008. In addition, the Congressional
Record Services has reports of appointees since the
latest publication of the Plum Book. You should review
these lists to identify positions that you are interested
in and for which you may qualify.
How
do I identify Federal Advisory Committee opportunities?
There are over 1,000 advisory committees government-wide.
Advisory committees have played an important role in
shaping programs and policies of the federal government
from the earliest days of the country. With the expertise
from advisory committee members, federal officials and
the nation have access to information and advice on
a broad range of issues affecting federal policies and
programs. The public, in return, is afforded an opportunity
to participate actively in the federal government's
decision-making process. Federal advisory committee
members are drawn from nearly every occupational and
industry group and geographical section of the United
States and its territories. Agency officials, members
of Congress, the general public, or professional societies
or current and former committee members may nominate
potential candidates for membership. You should search
the official
database for advisory committees that may be of
interest.
What do I need to know before I apply for a presidential
appointment?
You need to understand the information that must be
included on your resume or in your application. The
federal government has a form that is a guide for how
to prepare federal job applications (Federal
Job Application Form 612). You do not need to use
the actual form but all the information required in
that form should appear on your resume. The
Federal Resume Handbook also guides individuals
on how to prepare a resume.
- The
form requires that you put your social security number
on your application. We recommend that any resumes
submitted to organizations, including ours state the
following: Social Security Number: Provided upon request.
- The
form resume is very basic. We encourage you to leave
any stylistic fonts and layout that you believe makes
your resume professional and attractive.
- For
political appointments only, it may be to your advantage
to list the campaign or election related activities
that you have participated in on a national and local
level, directly with a campaign or through a non-profit
organization. [For example, under activities or other
appropriate section of your resume list activities
such as the following: Volunteer, Lawyers Committee
for Civil Rights Election Protection Hotline (2004
and 2008); Canvassing Volunteer, Obama Get-Out-the-Vote
Drive (2008); Host, Private Fundraiser to Elect Congressman
Chris Van Hollen (2006); Participant, Democratic National
Convention (2000, 2004, and 2008); Donor, Obama for
America.]
You
need to be prepared to disclose a significant amount
of historical and financial information as a part of
your application process. Here are the links to the
current forms that you may need to complete, if you
are selected for an interview or further screening.
You should review these before applying and start collecting
this data as soon as you are selected for an interview
or further screening.
The
Brookings Institute has complied excellent resources
for anyone interested in appointments. (Be sure to read
the Survivor's
Guide for Presidential Nominees).
How
do I apply for these positions in the Obama Administration?
With
Barack Obama and Joe Biden's election, the Obama-Biden
Transition Project, a 501(c)(4) organization, has been
created to accept appointment applications and ensure
a smooth transition from one administration to the next.
The work of this entity will be overseen by three co-chairs:
John Podesta, Valerie Jarrett, and Pete Rouse. The phone
number for the transition headquarters is 202-540-3000.
The official website for the transition process
is www.change.gov.
PLEASE GO DIRECTLY TO THIS WEBSITE AND SUBMIT
AN APPLICATION.
How
do I identify career opportunities?
You
should start with the agency in which you have an interest.
Each agency posts its organizational chart and offices
on its website along with information regarding job
opportunities. All government jobs must be posted to
the public before they are filled. We suggest that you
check the websites of your agencies of interest weekly.
Some of these sites have ways for you to sign up for
job alerts.
What
is the NBA's plan for supporting applications?
NBA
members will have an opportunity to self-nominate themselves
for the NBA’s Resume Book and/or Presidential
Appointee Preparation Program. You may indicate your
desire to be assisted by the NBA by submitting your
resume and a letter of interest to NBAFAPI@gmail.com.
All material must be uploaded in final form by December
1, 2008. Once materials are received, the NBA Appointments
Review Committee will screen the resumes and may identify
candidates who may be appropriate for higher-level appointments
and for any departments or agencies where the NBA has
specific connections or programmatic goals. If the NBA
is further interested in assisting you with the federal
appointments process, you will be contacted and invited
to participate in the Presidential Appointee Preparation
Program, which will include individual coaching and
other support and networking activities. All other resumes
that are professional and meet the standard of the Committee
will be transmitted to the new administration in a Resume
Book with a general letter of support by the NBA.
Are
other organizations undertaking similar efforts?
Yes.
There are many organizations that are collecting resumes
for submission to the new administration. We encourage
our members to take advantage of all these opportunities.
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