The Reservist Program introduction is in full swing and our National Cadre managers and Office of Human Capital teams are engaged to make this transition as smooth as possible. I’ve received quite a few emails and phone calls from you and realize some are concerned about the application process. We’re committed to making all of this as transparent and easy to understand as possible. Below is a list of important points concerning the application process.
Key Points:
- The application period opening June 15th is for current DAEs only. This will be the only time that the application period is dedicated exclusively to DAEs. The application process during this time is closed to the general public.
- You may apply to as many positions as you like, regardless of cadre.
- On June 15, the employee website will have a page with all Reservist Program vacancy announcement links (one link per announcement) organized by cadre. Each link will redirect you to a vacancy announcement on USAJOBS.
- In order to apply for a position you must have a USAJOBS account. When you click “Apply Now” in one of the vacancy announcements you will be directed to login to USAJOBS in order to continue. The USAJOBS presentation includes a step-by-step instruction on creating a USAJOBS account, as well as how to build your resume and upload your FQS Notification letter.
- Your resume, FQS Notification letter for DAEs who have been rated under FQS, and OF-306 Declaration for Federal Employment are the only required documents for the application process. Download a PDF writeable version of the OF-306. If you are a current DAE, but did not receive an FQS Notification letter for the position, then only a resume and OF-306 is required.
- USAJOBS will then automatically direct you to CareerConnector to answer a series of eligibility and competency questions related to the position. As an applicant you will have the opportunity to provide any additional documentation that you think will support the application for the position.
- Upon completion of the application portion in CareerConnector, you will be redirected back to USAJOBS to confirm that your application has been submitted.
Our next webcast/webinar will be held Tuesday, June 12 at 1:00 pm EDT and we will continue to hold them every Tuesday at the same time. Expect a notification email 24-48 hours prior to the actual webcast.
More information to follow.
Have they lost their minds in DC???
ReplyDeleteThis is a simple process for who???? Is this the attempt to get ride of the DAE's that have been at the fore front and now needs to have a PHd to be a reservist? This is really ugly and a huge slap in the face of all of us that have been on board and worked hard!!!! I am ashamed of the whole process!!! But, Fugate got what he wanted and that was to get rid of the DAE!!!! Great going Fugate!
FEMA cannot do its job without DAEs or whatever they want to call us from now on.
DeleteThanks for your comments, the process can be frustrating we recognize. Please take advantage of the help availabe on www.fema.gov/employees and from the helpful agents in the Call Centers (http://www.fema.gov/about/employees/resrvist_program_call_center_support.shtm).
DeleteFEMA is grateful for the hard work our DAEs perform, and we want you back in the Reservist Program. We are depending on you to support the FEMA disaster mission!
I absolutely applaud FEMA Administrator Fugate for his work in initiating long overdue changes to a more professional disaster reservist program. Individuals with more education, training, and professional certifications do tend to be more professional and ethical in the long term.
DeleteI agree 100%. So why, one mmight ask, are the comments in "anonymous status?" Because many have experienced back lash for speaking out and telling the truth.
DeleteYou say that "resume, FQS notification letter and OF 306 are all needed to apply but on the US Jobs board it specifically says not to put anything up there with SS # or other personal information. Sould I just upload the OF306 leaving SS# off?
ReplyDeleteHi Bob, thanks for your inquiry. Your full Social Security Number is required in your CareerConnector profile and on form OF 306, version dated October 2011.
DeleteBOB....I was told we need to have a full SS# on the OF-306 and only last 4 digits on the resume.
ReplyDeleteHi Ann, thanks for your inquiry. No need for all or parto of your social security number on the resume, but your full Social Security Number is required in your CareerConnector profile and on form OF 306, version dated October 2011.
DeleteWhat's going to happe to thosr DAE'S that apply and for x or y reason do not.get selected as part of the reservist (clean up to leave space for americorp's) program? What will happen? Will you FEMA just throw us out of the cadre? Or leave us in a never call those guys list? It's stupid and unreasonable to make us apply for positions that you, FEMA WF do not even know criteria to base our evaluation!! Just on a sie FQS crappy paper that doesn't even reflect half of the experience we DAE'S have! This is preposterous and extremely ridiculous...
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. We value your commitment to the FEMA mission, and we understand the challenge of transitioning to this new program. FEMA relies on the skills and talents of the DAE workforce to deliver our disaster mission.
DeleteProgram expert panels will convene in mid July to evaluate the qualifications of DAEs applying for positions other than their current FQS title. Panel members must be qualified in the positions they are evaluating. The panels use specific criteria to evaluate candidates for each position. Our goal is to transition as many eligible DAEs as we can into the Reservist Program, so please continue through the process and encourage other DAEs to apply also!
How long after we apply as DAE's should we expect to wait to hear about our applications?? Many of my fellow DAE's have applied for several positions thru the USA job website as directed, however we have no idea as to when we will get a response other than an acknowledgement that we applied for xyz position.
DeleteWe were told that we would receive numerous emails on the application process and I've been online for approximately 2 hours trying to find out where to start because we were told on the webinar that a special link would be provided. Someone please help!
ReplyDeleteClick on Employee Info & Resources link on the fema.gov web page. This will take you to the page with the vacancy announcements. Look under Hot Topics on the right side of the web page.
DeleteThanks for your inquiry. Start with the www.fema.gov/employees web page - click on Application Process under "Reservist Program" in the left side banner. We began sending weekly emails 2 weeks prior to the opening of the application period, if you are not receiving them please check your spam settings. If you still need help the call center is ready to assist - 855-377-3362
DeleteEmail: FEMA-FQS-Program@fema.dhs.gov
Hours of operations: Monday through Friday 9 am – 6pm EDT
Well,this seems to be a way to weed out many. I have a FQS Letter for
ReplyDeleteDirect Housing Support Specialist (Trainee) this is my first year as a DAE. The vacancy preview question ask if you are qualified or a trainee
it seems fair to say that the qualified DAE will take precedence over a DAE trainee. So,I guess I am out!
Trainees take precedence over others who are not qualified. You're still in.
DeleteI'm confused. How can trainees take precedence over those who are not qualified? I thought trainees are "trainees" because they aren't qualified. No?
ReplyDeletehow and when do people who were NOT current DAE's apply to be reservists? I heard the applications would be available August 1 on USA jobs....
ReplyDeleteWell it's August the 15th and we were told that the selection letters would go out late July. Then we discover that it's posted on the fema.gov website that the letters will go out mid-August. Well it's mid-August and no letters. Now we are being told that it will be the early part of September. I called the FQS/Reservist help line and they indicated that the letters would be going out Mid-August to Mid September. I really don't understand why HQ wants to keep us uninformed until it's past their deadlines that they can't meet. Yet we are expected to adhere to every guideline and deadline they so choose to impeed upon us.
ReplyDelete