Federal Hiring Tools

Benefits at a Glance

1. If the temporary or intermittent appointment follows a period of permanent service where there was coverage without a break in service, then the employee retains these benefits.
   
2. Accrues sick leave only. Entitlement to annual leave is only after being employed for a continuous period of 90 days under successive appointments without a break in service. After completing the 90-day period, the annual leave that would have accrued during this period is credited to the employee's annual leave balance.
3. Coverage continues for one year. The employee must make the employee portion of premium payments for health benefits.
4. Former employees continue their coverage for 31 days following the date they leave the agency, and may convert to individual policies

Your "employment status" determines your eligibility for many benefits.

• Eligible employees can elect to participate in a wide array of insurance coverage programs.
• The federal government is required by law to offer eligible employees a retirement plan, paid time off for illness and vacations, cost of living adjustments, etc.
• There are other advantages to federal employment that vary by agency or even location, such as on-site childcare, fitness facilities, and more.
• Not to be overlooked are the "intangibles", the opportunity to serve one's country and work on cutting edge projects.

LIFE INSURANCE

Our insurance is valued at an amount equal to your annual salary, plus $2,000-3,000. Employees have the option to increase their own coverage and/or include their family in the coverage. Like health insurance, life insurance can be carried into retirement.

HEALTH INSURANCE

Eligible federal employees get to select the health insurance plan that best fits their needs. There are Health Maintenance Organizations, Points of Service plans and Fee for Service plans from which to choose. Three additional features sweeten the deal. Federal employees can pay for their portion of the premium with pre-tax dollars (which reduces your taxable income). Plus, the government pays for a portion of the premium. Even better, employees have the option of continuing their health insurance coverage in retirement (provided certain criteria are met).

THRIFT SAVINGS PLAN (TSP)

The TSP is the federal government's equivalent to a 401K, meaning you can invest a percentage of your pretax earnings into several funds, watch your investment grow until you retire, then enjoy your golden years knowing you have some financial security. Additionally, if you participate in FERS, the federal government will automatically contribute an amount equal to 1% of your basic salary to your TSP account. If you contribute more, the government will too (up to 5% of your basic pay).

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The EAP is a free, confidential short-term counseling service available to all employees. EAP counselors can help employees deal with a wide-range of personal problems; including stress, substance abuse, depression, marital conflict, childcare problems, financial or legal difficulties, eldercare issues, and much more.

ANNUAL LEAVE

Annual leave is the federal equivalent of "vacation time." While employees must follow agency procedures for requesting time off, generally, employees have a right to take annual leave, in increments as small as an hour or less, provided their absence will not interfere with the timely accomplishment of mission-critical work. Annual leave accumulates and up to six weeks of time can be carried over in to the next year.

• Up to 3 years of service employees earn ~ 2.5 weeks
• 3-15 years of service employees earn ~ 4 weeks
• + 15 years of service employees earn ~ 5 weeks

SICK LEAVE

The federal government allows ample time for you to receive medical care; care for an ill family member; go see a treatment provider; and recover from an illness, injury or childbirth. Sick leave can even be used for a few other select purposes, such as adopting a child or making burial arrangements for a family member. Full time employees accrue sick leave at a rate of 4 hours per pay period, and may accumulate leave without limitation.

OTHER FAMILY ORIENTED LEAVE POLICIES

Under the Family Medical Leave Act, employees can take up to twelve weeks off in a twelve-month period to address certain medical concerns, care for a newborn child or take in a foster child. There are other leave programs that support employees and/or families going through other specific difficulties.

RETIREMENT PLAN

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) are the federal equivalent of a pension plan, which you don't see that often anymore in the private sector. While there are some significant differences between the two plans, both offer disability retirement, early retirement options and the opportunity to provide annuities to spouses.

FITNESS CENTERS

Some agencies provide access to fitness centers, as well as time to work out.

ALTERNATIVE / FLEXIBLE / COMPRESSED WORK SCHEDULES

The regular basic work week is 40 hours a week, usually Monday through Friday. However, alternative work schedules may permit employees to modify their schedule to better balance the demands of work, family and personal life. Typical alternative work schedules include working 80 hours in 9 days (instead of 10) or having start and end times that are other then 9 AM to 5 PM. Agencies often allow employees to flex their start and end times provided their schedules are approved, and they are available during certain core hours.

ON SITE CHILDCARE

The federal government sponsors over 1,000 childcare centers, many of them located in federal buildings.

TELEWORK (TELECOMMUTING)

In an effort to cut down on the stress of commuting, and lighten the burden on the nation's roadways, the federal government encourages agencies to consider whether part of any position might be effectively carried out from home. Telework is a management option.

JOB STABILITY

While the federal government has downsized in recent decades, it still weathers the boom or bust cycles better then the private sector.

SERVICE TO ONE'S COUNTRY

Working for the federal government means working for the betterment of our country.

INVOLVEMENT IN CUTTING EDGE PRODUCTS

Many federal agencies are pioneering advancements in medical research, technology developments, healthcare, defense, and much more.