Filling Jobs
Filling Vacant Positions
Vacant Position Foundation
Vacant civilian positions are filled based on an organization's needs using a variety of recruitment sources and appointing authorities consistent with applicable laws, regulations, directives, and policies, as established by:
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Department of Defense
- The USAF
Priority Referrals
Priority Referrals
Referral and selection priorities must be observed when filling competitive service positions.
Who Has Priority Rights
Mandatory Selection/Priority
Employees with mandatory selection or priority referral rights normally include those:
- Adversely affected by reduction-in-force
- Involuntary separation, demotion, transfer of function declinations, or transfer of work outside the commuting area
- Overseas returnees
- Spouses of military personnel
Recruitment Source Determination
HR Specialist Coordination
Supervisors work in concert with their servicing human resource specialist in the civilian personnel sections or Air Force Personnel Center to determine appropriate recruitment sources.
Vacancy Process
Vacancy Process
As a vacancy for competitive fill actions is announced:
- Candidates are screened by Air Force Personnel Center
- One or more lists of candidates are referred to the supervisor
Entry Pay Grade
Entry Grade by Qualification
Based on qualifying experience and/or education, civilians can enter civil service at different pay grade levels.
Competitive Process
Competitive Staffing Process
The competitive staffing process used by the USAF and other federal agencies:
- Determines the relative qualifications of the candidates
- Refers the best qualified for selection
Government-Wide Standards
Government-Wide Standards
The U.S. OPM provides agencies with qualification standards written broadly for government-wide application.