VA job eligibility and USAjobs advice?

[eclipse77]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hi all,

Question for the fellow/former VA people on the forum: I am currently a post-doc and have been starting to look at jobs, as I am about half way done with my fellowship. I am already licensed. Ideally, i’m hoping to stay within the VA or government (DoD, etc) system. As I’ve been starting to look on USA jobs, I’ve noticed that a lot of the listings are for GS13 positions and say, "your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of clinical psychologist experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.”

As a post-doc, is there any point of me applying for said positions without having worked as a GS-12 within the VA, or at another agency outside the VA for a year after fellowship? I wasn’t sure how strict the HR people are about these kinds of things (e.g., if 6+ months of a post-doc would suffice).

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that pop up on VA back channels (e.g., mailing lists) that do not go through USA jobs for staff psychologist positions say that post-docs are welcome to apply, so it makes it a bit confusing.

While we are on the subject, can anyone who has used USAjobs with success comment on the best approach for resume format? I wasn’t sure if it was best to use their “Resume Builder” format or whether uploading a well-formatted CV (with the extra additions: hrs/week, APA-accredited, etc) is sufficient?

Thanks!

 

[erg923]

Never used the site myself but was told by someone in the know about the VA and fed jobs in mental health that it is just a black hole. It fulfills the legal requirement to post a job opening publicly but nothing more. Those agencies already know who they are hiring, or so I was told. If you even get a response come back and update this thread since it would be nice to know that person was wrong but I don't think he was.

False. Most psychologists in the VA are hired via this process/platform.

No doubt some are pre-chosen, or more accurately, highly favored at the time of the job posting (whether its bc they already work there or because have connections), but your post is not accurate at all. I was hired from a formal announcement on USAJOBS in 2013, went through the (ridiculous) PBI interview, and was hired...as were many, many others throughout the country,

1. The VA has hiring booms from time to time (2008-2009, 2012). There were several in the last decade. This helps. This may be done for, although retention past the vesting period is becoming more of an issue lately outside rural settings, thus I hear they are really on kick for hiring their post-docs and fellows.

2. I knew 2 of my interviewers personally. Of course this helped, but they weren't just going to give me the position.

3. I had VA experience, and primary care mental health experience. They had a boner for this at the time, and still do.

4. I left 5 years later. Mostly me (and shifting career direction)...but definitely somewhat them.

 

[erg923]

Hi all,

Question for the fellow/former VA people on the forum: I am currently a post-doc and have been starting to look at jobs, as I am about half way done with my fellowship. I am already licensed. Ideally, i’m hoping to stay within the VA or government (DoD, etc) system. As I’ve been starting to look on USA jobs, I’ve noticed that a lot of the listings are for GS13 positions and say, "your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of clinical psychologist experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.”

As a post-doc, is there any point of me applying for said positions without having worked as a GS-12 within the VA, or at another agency outside the VA for a year after fellowship? I wasn’t sure how strict the HR people are about these kinds of things (e.g., if 6+ months of a post-doc would suffice).

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that pop up on VA back channels (e.g., mailing lists) that do not go through USA jobs for staff psychologist positions say that post-docs are welcome to apply, so it makes it a bit confusing.

While we are on the subject, can anyone who has used USAjobs with success comment on the best approach for resume format? I wasn’t sure if it was best to use their “Resume Builder” format or whether uploading a well-formatted CV (with the extra additions: hrs/week, APA-accredited, etc) is sufficient?

Thanks!

You can apply as a post-doc (the point is that you would qualify for G2-13 at or around the actual time of your start date).
Might be a bit early though, as hiring now probably would want you to able to start before July-August.

 

[WisNeuro]

You can apply as a post-doc (the point is that you would qualify for G2-13 at or around the actual time of your start date).
Might be a bit early though, as hiring now probably would want you to able to start before July-August.

Easily doable, especially with the length of many VA onboarding processes. I was given an official offer in December of my final postdoc year to start in August.

 

[WisNeuro]

Good to know but you also knew 2 of your interviewers so I'm not sure your experience contradicts what I was told. Never heard of anyone getting hired through USA Jobs who didn't have the inside track, as you did.

But I'm more interested in hearing about why you left.

I was hired through the USAJobs process. Also, in about a half dozen hires I was involved in within a year span, we only had one person who we already had in mind and didn't widely interview. Rest were chosen through the portal. I also happily left the VA.

 

[WisNeuro]

Pay tops out rather quickly, inflexibility with scheduling and hours, productivity requirements ever changing and often arbitrary, they do not pay for things that many employers do (conference travel and fees, licensure, board certification, CMEs, society memberships), and on and on.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

USA jobs is how most get the position. Even internal candidates are told to apply through the system. I and others have used it successfully. Also, don't make mistakes while applying, HR people seem to use any excuse to chuck your app into the shred bin.

Pay tops out rather quickly, inflexibility with scheduling and hours, productivity requirements ever changing and often arbitrary, they do not pay for things that many employers do (conference travel and fees, licensure, board certification, CMEs, society memberships), and on and on.

Happily left the VA as well. For this and just improved happiness at work. It is hard to work around people bitching and unhappy all day long (a trend I have noticed at all my VAs).

3. I had VA experience, and primary care mental health experience. They had a boner for this at the time, and still do.

Can confirm.

 

[eclipse77]

I was hired through the USAJobs process. Also, in about a half dozen hires I was involved in within a year span, we only had one person who we already had in mind and didn't widely interview. Rest were chosen through the portal. I also happily left the VA.

Can others who have gotten job offers or interviews through USAjobs comment if they used their CV or the narrative format you see online using the resume builder? It obviously would be a ton of work to totally re-format my CV in this format....trying to figure out if it is worth it.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Re-format it exactly how HR wants with exactly the information they ask for, or it is quite likely to go into the trash. I have seen this first hand many times. Your time is not important to them. Welcome to the government.

I used to work directly with our admin who talks directly with HR for hiring. I had lots of communication with our preferred internal candidates on how to not **** this up. And actually had to help edit many of their CVs.

 

[erg923]

Can others who have gotten job offers or interviews through USAjobs comment if they used their CV or the narrative format you see online using the resume builder? It obviously would be a ton of work to totally re-format my CV in this format....trying to figure out if it is worth it.

It would take an hour at most.

 

[erg923]

Thank you and I'm glad it sounds like USA Jobs isn't just a black hole.

But why happily left? Strongly considering the VA myself when it's all said and done so really want to know why so many are happily leaving.

Insomnia, anxiety, depression. Repeat over and over and over for the rest of your life.

 

[forcefive17]

Never used the site myself but was told by someone in the know about the VA and fed jobs in mental health that it is just a black hole. It fulfills the legal requirement to post a job opening publicly but nothing more. Those agencies already know who they are hiring, or so I was told. If you even get a response come back and update this thread since it would be nice to know that person was wrong but I don't think he was.

Good to know but you also knew 2 of your interviewers so I'm not sure your experience contradicts what I was told. Never heard of anyone getting hired through USA Jobs who didn't have the inside track, as you did. Being able to say "look we hired through USA Jobs" means nothing, as the person who told me about their experience was told to use this platform in order to make it look legit.

But I'm more interested in hearing about why you left.

Edit: Forgot to insert erg's quote, this was in response to his post.

Just thirding what others have said. People who apply internally are still within the portal that outside applicants use. Anecdotally, I have never seen an entry-level job opening NOT get consideration/favorable hiring decision from outside apps within the DoD. With that said, just like any other HR dept, fed. HR is looking for job fit. It makes common sense that if someone has been with the DoD for 15 years that they may be a better fit for a high-step 12-13 job than someone without experience.

Example from recent hiring decision:

Applicant 1: 13 years working at 3 different military bases, to include a military hospital. Tons of experience in consultation/ I/O type work with commanders and other folks in soldiers/airmen/marine/sailors rating chain. Former uniformed provider for 4 years.

Applicant 2: 13 years working at an urban private practice with adolescents who experience trauma, adjustment, and substance use d/o. Looking for a "change of pace."

Keeping in mind longevity and probability of continued service to the country, who you gon' pick?

Hi all,

Question for the fellow/former VA people on the forum: I am currently a post-doc and have been starting to look at jobs, as I am about half way done with my fellowship. I am already licensed. Ideally, i’m hoping to stay within the VA or government (DoD, etc) system. As I’ve been starting to look on USA jobs, I’ve noticed that a lot of the listings are for GS13 positions and say, "your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of clinical psychologist experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.”

As a post-doc, is there any point of me applying for said positions without having worked as a GS-12 within the VA, or at another agency outside the VA for a year after fellowship? I wasn’t sure how strict the HR people are about these kinds of things (e.g., if 6+ months of a post-doc would suffice).

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that pop up on VA back channels (e.g., mailing lists) that do not go through USA jobs for staff psychologist positions say that post-docs are welcome to apply, so it makes it a bit confusing.

While we are on the subject, can anyone who has used USAjobs with success comment on the best approach for resume format? I wasn’t sure if it was best to use their “Resume Builder” format or whether uploading a well-formatted CV (with the extra additions: hrs/week, APA-accredited, etc) is sufficient?

Thanks!

For DoD purposes, think about the culture you're applying for. Uniformity/conformity are essential and this extends to resumes/CVs. Use the builder.

 

[cara susanna]

I applied for two jobs through USA Jobs and never used the resume builder. I just uploaded my CV as a .pdf. In both cases I got interviews (and in one case I was hired).

Also, yeah, USA Jobs is often necessary. It's not a black hole by any means.

 

[deleted343839]

I also applied through USA Jobs and uploaded my own CV in PDF format. I got to the interview stage before I changed my mind about pursuing the job, but the process worked.

 

[mlwg1]

As a post-doc, is there any point of me applying for said positions without having worked as a GS-12 within the VA, or at another agency outside the VA for a year after fellowship? I wasn’t sure how strict the HR people are about these kinds of things (e.g., if 6+ months of a post-doc would suffice).

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that pop up on VA back channels (e.g., mailing lists) that do not go through USA jobs for staff psychologist positions say that post-docs are welcome to apply, so it makes it a bit confusing.

As for this part, this wouldn’t fly at the VAs near me. People at post doc or level, or currently on post doc, are not hired on at the GS 13 level. HR around here is very strict about eligibility requirements.

 

[Sanman]

I applied through USAjobs with no connections and got hired. It is the standard place for all VA applications. Some jobs do have inside track applicants, usually the ones with very brief application windows.

As for hiring , use the resumebuilder unless you already have an application that made it through VA HR. I have longer more detailed CV for federal jobs and more streamlined application for private jobs (why does the VA care who supervised me over a decade ago on externship?).

Look at eligible applicants on the posting and follow their guidelines. If it is gs-13 only (vs gs-13 full performance), you may be wasting your time. Most entry level gigs are listed as gs-11,12,13 with 13 as full performance.

 

[WisNeuro]

Productivity requirement? Huh? Never heard of anything like that outside sales jobs. Can you elaborate?

It's how they track your clinical work in some way. This is a thing at almost every clinical job. Whether it's RVUs, billable hours, clinic utilization numbers, etc.

 

[erg923]

Productivity requirement? Huh? Never heard of anything like that outside sales jobs. Can you elaborate?

Every clinical job where you are an employee will require that you have productivity targets to justify your salary...and generate profit.

 

[WisNeuro]

Every clinical job where you are an employee will require that you have productivity targets to justify your salary...and generate profit.

Well, almost every one. I don't currently have a set productivity target. But, part of my job when I got hired on was to rebuild the practice and referral base. I'm expecting productivity numbers to be set later this year, though.

 

[Sanman]

Yeah, I am currently exempt from RVU requirements due to HBPC having abysmal numbers from driving all over tarnation. Prior to this gig, all my positions had RVU requirements or were paid per session on a contractor basis.

 

[erg923]

Well, almost every one. I don't currently have a set productivity target. But, part of my job when I got hired on was to rebuild the practice and referral base. I'm expecting productivity numbers to be set later this year, though.

I wish I could share a copy of my productivity reports from when I was at the VA. Never made an sense to me, just a jumble RVUs, wRVUs, percents, adjusted percentages, etc. My boss would send them quarterly, and I just started deleting them instantly.

 

[WisNeuro]

I wish I could share a copy of my productivity reports from when I was at the VA. Never made an sense to me, just a jumble RVUs, wRVUs, percents, adjusted percentages, etc. My boss would send them quarterly, and I just started deleting them instantly.

I went from RVUs, to clinic utilization, to billable hours, and they were transitioning to some other nonsense when I was on my way out.

 

[erg923]

Yeah, I am currently exempt from RVU requirements due to HBPC

Aren't you fraid of da scabies?

 

[Sanman]

Aren't you fraid of da scabies?

Great, now I feel itchy...thanks man.

 

[WisNeuro]

Great, now I feel itchy...thanks man.

Oh, the HBPC days. I still remember walking into a residence littered with crumpled up tissues and porn mags all over the place.

 

[Sanman]

Oh, the HBPC days. I still remember walking into a residence littered with crumpled up tissues and porn mags all over the place.

I'd take that over the places with roaches or mice. Honestly, not that difference from my nursing home/rehab work at times. I do miss the fancy ALFs with the fresh baked cookies and gifts at Christmas for the docs. One of these days, I am moving to a cushy office work and taking it easy (probably when I hit my financial independence number).

 

[ClinPsychFan]

Hi all,

Question for the fellow/former VA people on the forum: I am currently a post-doc and have been starting to look at jobs, as I am about half way done with my fellowship. I am already licensed. Ideally, i’m hoping to stay within the VA or government (DoD, etc) system. As I’ve been starting to look on USA jobs, I’ve noticed that a lot of the listings are for GS13 positions and say, "your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of clinical psychologist experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector.”

As a post-doc, is there any point of me applying for said positions without having worked as a GS-12 within the VA, or at another agency outside the VA for a year after fellowship? I wasn’t sure how strict the HR people are about these kinds of things (e.g., if 6+ months of a post-doc would suffice).

Interestingly, I’ve noticed that a lot of jobs that pop up on VA back channels (e.g., mailing lists) that do not go through USA jobs for staff psychologist positions say that post-docs are welcome to apply, so it makes it a bit confusing.

While we are on the subject, can anyone who has used USAjobs with success comment on the best approach for resume format? I wasn’t sure if it was best to use their “Resume Builder” format or whether uploading a well-formatted CV (with the extra additions: hrs/week, APA-accredited, etc) is sufficient?

Thanks!

Bumping this thread because I'm curious about what you did with the resume part of the application on USA Jobs (currently trying to figure this out as well). My CV is still the full version and excessively long (14 pages), so I'm wondering if you submitted an abbreviated version of a CV or just went with the resume-builder. Or went with the classic 2-page resume. Just wondering what the experience was like.

 

[cara susanna]

Bumping this thread because I'm curious about what you did with the resume part of the application on USA Jobs (currently trying to figure this out as well). My CV is still the full version and excessively long (14 pages), so I'm wondering if you submitted an abbreviated version of a CV or just went with the resume-builder. Or went with the classic 2-page resume. Just wondering what the experience was like.

I just uploaded my CV as a .pdf and skipped the resume builder. I got interviews so I assume it wasn't an issue.