Frequently asked questions about employment opportunities:

Can I apply for a vacancy in Rural Development if I haven't worked for the Federal government before?

We often advertise our vacancies for "all U.S. citizens". When advertised like this, you may apply and be considered even if you have never worked for the Federal government before. Be sure to follow the instructions very carefully on the announcement. Sometimes we limit the announcement to only applicants who have “status” as current or former Federal employees. You would not be eligible to be considered for these vacancies if you have not worked with the Federal government on a "status appointment", or do not have a special qualifying factor, such as military service. You may contact our HRM if you have any questions regarding your status. All of our vacancy announcements are posted on the http://www.usajobs.opm.gov website.

How do I use "usajobs"?

Searching for vacancy announcements is an easy process. You can determine your search by location, agency, and job type. In addition, you can refine the search by factors such as salary range. To locate vacancies in Rural Development, a good method to use is to go the "Agency Search” and type in “Rural Development.” Or you can scroll down the agency list until you find “Department of Agriculture”, and then "Rural Housing Service" and select that choice. All job openings in "Rural Development" will be listed under “Rural Housing”. Read and select the proper criteria to make sure you are searching for jobs that fit your interests and qualifications. You also want to make sure you find jobs for which you are eligible to apply.

What if I want a certain type of job, but there aren't any vacancies in Rural Development/Kansas?

Of course, you can use this same technique to look for positions with any agency government wide. You can search under the "Occupational Series” or “Job Category” and find many choices of job types. You can also search by location throughout the U.S. and beyond, wherever Federal jobs are located.