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When creating an Announcement Template for use with USA Hire JOAs, consider the following:
- Applications for announcements using USA Hire cannot be submitted manually. Remove any references to the submission of Alternate Applications from the announcement.
- Applicants will have the opportunity to request a reasonable accommodation in cases where a mental or physical disability interferes with an applicant's ability to complete the USA Hire assessments.
- Depending on your agency's business process, applicants may not be able to update assessment responses after submitting an application. If applicable, you may need to change any references related to updating the assessment responses within the initially submitted application.
The sections below include recommended USA Hire verbiage to add to or in some cases completely replace (i.e. the How to Apply section) the language found in a standard Announcement Template while keeping the above in mind.
Note: If using Dynamic Assessment Testing Windows with Premium or Custom USA Hire Assessments, please refer to Appendix E for instructions on how to populate the How to Apply section.
Additional Information
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. (https://appsupport-usastaffing.opm.gov/hc/en-us/sections/45063131363475-Reasonable-Accommodation-Information)
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated based on how well you meet the qualifications listed in this vacancy announcement. Your qualifications will be evaluated based on your application materials (e.g., resume, supporting documents), your responses on the application questionnaire, and your responses to all assessments required for this position.
You will be assessed on the following competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics):
Competencies Bullets
{{Insert Additional Competencies, As Needed. Competencies will auto-populate with the Competencies Bullet data insert for Standard Assessments, ECTA, and FSA. Competencies must be manually entered for the following premium assessments - WSA, DSA, PAPMA, SSJT}}
{{CUT SCORE VERBIAGE – Include this verbiage if announcing one of the following standard assessment job series with a cut score: 0080 - 0201 - 0203 - 0303 - 0318 - 0343 - 0501 - 0510 - 0560 - 0861 - 0962 - 1102 - 2210}} The USA Hire Assessments includes a cut score based on the minimum level of required proficiency in these critical general competencies. You must meet or exceed the cut score to be considered. You will not be considered for the position if you score below the cut score or fail to complete the assessment.
Overstating your qualifications and/or experience in your application materials or application questionnaire may result in your removal from consideration. Cheating on an assessment may also result in your removal from consideration.
{{Note: If you wish to include a link for applicants to preview the application questionnaire using the Application Preview data insert, ensure you refer to it as the application questionnaire, rather than the assessment questionnaire, to avoid confusion with the USA Hire Assessment. For example:
To preview the application questionnaire, click the following link: Application Preview.}}
How to Apply
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on the closing date of the announcement to receive consideration. The application process is as follows:
- Click the Apply Online button.
- Answer the questions presented in the application and attach all necessary supporting documentation.
- Click the Submit Application button prior to 11:59 PM (ET) on the announcement closing date.
- If you are required to complete any USA Hire Assessments, you will be notified after submitting your application. The notification will be provided in your application submission screen and via email. The notification will include your unique assessment access link to the USA Hire system and the completion deadline. Additionally, in USAJOBS you can click "Track this application" to return to your assessment completion notice.
- Access USA Hire using your unique assessment link. Access is granted through your USAJOBS login credentials.
- Review all instructions prior to beginning your assessments. You will have the opportunity to request a testing accommodation before beginning the assessments should you have a disability covered under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended.
- Set aside about two (2) hours {{Note: modify time as appropriate. Standard Assessments: 2 hours. FSA: 1 hour. ECTA 45 minutes. Executive Assessment: X hours. WSA: 25 minutes. DSA: 4 hours.}} to take the USA Hire Assessments; however, most applicants complete the assessments in less time. If you need to stop the assessments and continue later, you can re-use your unique assessment link.
- Your responses to the USA Hire Assessments will be reused for one year (in most cases) from the date you complete an assessment. If future applications you submit require completion of the same assessments, your responses will be automatically reused.
Visit the USA Hire Applicant Resource Center for practice assessments and assessment preparation resources at https://support-usahire.opm.gov/hc/en-us.
To update your application, including supporting documentation: During the announcement open period, return to your USAJOBS account, find your application record, and click Edit my application. This option will no longer be available once the announcement has closed. {{If utilizing the “Locking Assessment Responses” functionality, substitute this paragraph with the recommended text found in Appendix E.}}
To view the announcement status or your application status: Visit https://help.usajobs.gov/how-to/application/status. Your application status page is where you can view your application status, USA Hire assessment completion status, and review your notifications sent by the hiring agency regarding your application.