Now that the election is over and the American people have chosen President Elect Donald Trump, the transition is on. In the next 72 days, President Elect Trump’s team will choose their political employees. This article outlines some information on how to apply and how to get help in developing your application. Note, you do not apply for a job via this website. FederalResumes.net is NOT associated with the Federal government.
Per the transition websites, www.greatagain.com (President Elect Donald Trump’s website), its Help Wanted: 4,000 Political Employee release (https://www.greatagain.gov/news/help-wanted-4000-presidential-appointees.html), and www.presidentialtransition.org (a website set up by the Partnership for Public Service), they are looking for qualified applicants for four basic types of appointments:
- Presidential Appointments with Senate Confirmation (PAS): There are 1,212 senior leaders, including the Cabinet secretaries and their deputies, the heads of most independent agencies and ambassadors, who must be confirmed by the Senate. These positions first require a Senate hearing in addition to background checks and other vetting.
- Presidential Appointments without Senate Confirmation (PA): There are 353 PA positions which make up much of the White House staff, although they are also scattered throughout many of the smaller federal agencies.
- Non-career Senior Executive Service (NA): Members of the Senior Executive Service (SES) work in key positions just below the top presidential appointees, bridging the gap between the political leaders and the civil service throughout the federal government. Most SES members are career officials, but up to 10 percent of the SES can be political appointees. (For more information see the Office of Personnel Management’s website, https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/senior-executive-service/.) There are 680 non-career members of the SES.
- Schedule C Appointments (SC): There are 1,403 Schedule C appointees who serve in a confidential or policy role. They range from schedulers and confidential assistants to policy experts.
In 2012, prior to the last transition, the government issued the Plum Book (https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2012/pdf/GPO-PLUMBOOK-2012.pdf) which lists these positions (there may be a new one soon). Note, for the top Senate-confirmed appointments, position descriptions have been published (http://presidentialtransition.org/publications/viewcontentdetails.php?id=1352).
There is a recently published official guide for employees applying for positions and rights on the Office of Personnel Management website (https://www.opm.gov/about-us/our-people-organization/support-functions/executive-secretariat/presidential-transition-guide-2016.pdf).
Applications for these positions is now open (https://www.greatagain.gov/serve-america.html). You will need to fill out an application online (https://apply.ptt.gov/) which requires an essay on why you hope to be part of the President-elect’s administration, a Cover Letter, an essay on any additional qualifications, a text resume (not a fancy resume) no longer than 131,072 characters (which, at an average of 4,000 characters per page, more than 30 pages).
Based on my experience helping folks transition to President George W. Bush and President Obama’s administrations, a Federal-type resume works best for folks applying for these types of jobs.
Note the following will be required for these types of positions, including extensive background checks. Per the greatagain.gov website:
- The time commitment is significant and the pace is fast
- Appointments and jobs of the Trump-Pence Administration are demanding, and the application process is rigorous
For most applicants under serious consideration:
- A full FBI background check in which an applicant’s history of employment, personal, travel, medical, financial, legal, military and education background will likely take.
- Consideration is taken for possible conflicts of interest. Financial holdings and sources of income must be disclosed. Any conflicts must be remedied by divestiture, the creation of special trusts, and other actions.
- Many appointees’ dealings with the Federal government both during and for a period after their service will be significantly restricted to prevent possible conflicts of interest.
All those wishing to apply for positions in the Trump-Pence Transition, Executive Office of the President, or a Federal Department, Agency or Commission should follow the instructions below:
- Complete the online application and submit it electronically. You will be notified electronically once your information has been received. A record of your application will be maintained while the President is in office, and you will be considered for the position(s) or subject area(s) which you have expressed interest in whenever openings occur.
- You will be asked fill out a Personal Data Statement if you are considered for a specific position. You will be asked about possible conflicts of interest deriving from your sources of income; all aspects of your personal and professional life, including organization which you belong or once belonged; speeches you may have given and books, articles and editorials you may have written; legal, administrative and regulatory proceedings to which you may have been a party; in short, anything that might embarrass the President or you if he should choose you for a position in his administration.
- If you are considered for a nomination by the President Elect, you will be asked to complete FBI and financial disclosure forms for review and consideration. The types of forms you may be required to fill out are as follows: for National Security Positions (SF86) and for higher-level positions, the financial disclosure form, (SF278). Most appointees are required to file financial disclosure statements annually during their term of service.
- If Senate confirmation is required for the position you are nominated for, the Senate committee that reviews those nominations may ask you to provide additional information.
One should assume that all the information provided during this process is ultimately subject to public disclosure, if requested under the Freedom of Information Act.
I have helped numerous folks apply for political jobs during the last 3 elections, and would be pleased to see if I can help you with this transition. Please contact me at www.federalresumes.net today – time is short to apply.