FAQs
1. General Information
Question (Q): What is a U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC)?
Answer (A): A personal services contract is described as:
“…a contract that, by its express terms or as administered makes the contractor personnel appear, in effect, to be Government employees.” (48 CFR 37.101)
PSCs are government employees for all purposes except programs administered by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). PSCs are contracted to the Agency but are, in effect, Government employees and establish an employer-employee relationship between USAID and the contractor. PSCs have income taxes withheld by USAID and receive W-2s from the Agency. Programs administered by OPM include the Federal government’s health insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits provided to members of the Civil Service and Foreign Service (i.e., direct-hire personnel). PSCs have the same salary scale and allowances as a direct-hire employee, but have a more limited range of benefits. PSCs make up a large percentage of the total work force for several USAID offices and serve in the Washington, D.C. headquarters, as well as positions worldwide.
To learn more about PSC contracts and allowable benefits for a U.S. Personal Services Contract (USPSC), please see PSC Benefits.
Q: I am not a citizen of the United States. Can I be hired for a USPSC position with USAID?
A: Unfortunately, we cannot hire non-US citizens for U.S. Personal Services Contractor (USPSC) positions. However, some offices and Missions within USAID may consider non-U.S. citizens on a case-by-case basis for other positions. All PSC positions for U.S. citizens, Third Country Nationals (TCN), and Foreign Service Nationals (FSN) are posted on www.fbo.gov. Solicitations that say “USPSC” require U.S. citizenship. TCN/FSN PSC solicitations do not. It is the responsibility of the applicant to read each solicitation carefully to review the citizenship requirements.
Q: I want to get involved in humanitarian assistance/political transition/crisis response work—where do I start?
A: Most humanitarian assistance, political transition, or crisis response positions require a number of years of experience. Although it may seem difficult to get this professional experience, there are a number of academic programs, trainings, and volunteer and internship opportunities that will give you a suitable background in the field. The list of Professional Resources available on our website, while not exhaustive, will help you get started (Additional Job Resources).
2. Finding Jobs
Q: What types of USPSC positions are available within the USAID offices listed on GlobalCorps?
A: GlobalCorps recruits a wide-range of positions requiring a number of years of experience in areas including but not limited to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, international project management, community development, economic development, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities, and overseas experience in conflict-prone countries. Organizations may actively seek out individuals with a variety of technical expertise to include senior development advisers, program officers, strategic communications experts, health or water and sanitation experts, and democracy and governance specialists. Possible positions include Regional Advisors, Program Operations Specialists, Country Representatives, Program Managers, Program Officers, Democracy Officers, Crisis Response Officers, Administrative Program Assistants, Human Resource Specialists and Transition Advisors. GlobalCorps recruits both full- and part-time/intermittent USPSC positions for USAID.
Q: How many PSC positions do you advertise annually?
A: Recruitment and hiring for PSCs takes place throughout the year. The number of positions for which GlobalCorps recruits continues to grow. Last year we posted approximately 80 solicitations to fill critical staffing needs.
Q: Where do I find out what PSC positions are currently available on GlobalCorps? Can I be automatically notified of vacancies as soon as they open?
A: On the GlobalCorps website, you will find a listing of current PSC vacancies for the USAID offices we serve. In addition to the GlobalCorps website, solicitations are posted on FedBizOpps, USAID Agency Notices, and a variety of other international development websites. PSC positions are not advertised on the U.S. Government’s jobs website, www.usajobs.gov.
GlobalCorps regularly sends out notifications of new job openings to those individuals signed up for our email list. To join this list, simply sign up on our Contact page.
Q: How can I get more information about these job openings?
A: If you are interested in an open position, it is important for you to read the entire solicitation. The solicitation provides you with all of the details of the advertised position, including the solicitation number, closing date, salary, period of performance, statement of work (SOW), Education/Experience Requirements Selection Factors, and Evaluation Factors.
If you still have questions after reading the solicitation, please contact GlobalCorps.
Q: Who do I contact with questions about a specific position?
A: You should be able to find the answers to most of your questions in the solicitation, or on the GlobalCorps website. If, after reviewing the solicitation and website, your questions remain unanswered, please contact the GlobalCorps recruiter listed in the solicitation. If you have difficulty getting in touch with them, please visit the Contact tab on the GlobalCorps website for further contact information.
Q: What type of education and/or background would you recommend for this type of work?
A: The level of education and professional experience required for each position varies. For entry to mid-level positions successful candidates have at least 2-4 years of professional experience, and for senior level positions at least 5-7 years of experience in the following areas including but not limited to humanitarian assistance, disaster relief experience, international project management, community development, economic development, conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, and/or human rights activities, and overseas experience in conflict-prone countries. However, the requirements for each position vary. Successful candidates may also demonstrate a variety of international development and USAID know-how and must be willing to be flexible and spend time in a variety of different USAID Missions or USAID project locations.
For more detailed information on the academic and professional requirements of a particular position, please refer to the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors section of the solicitation. Candidates not meeting the Education/Experience Requirements & Selection Factors are considered NOT qualified for the position.
Q: How long are positions posted?
A: Each position’s closing date is listed in the solicitation. The length of time a position remains open varies from position to position. Solicitations must stay open for a minimum of 10 business days; most solicitations remain open for approximately 2-4 weeks.
Q: What happens if a job that I want to apply for closes before I get a chance to submit my application?
A: Once a solicitation closes, we are unable to accept additional applications (or application materials). While we try to provide all interested applicants with relevant and timely information on all of the positions, it is ultimately the applicant’s responsibility to submit a complete application before the closing date.
3. Applying for Jobs
Q: How do I know if I qualify for a position?
A: If you are unsure if you qualify for a position, read the solicitation, paying close attention to the section titled Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors. ALL of these Education/Experience, Selection Factors must be met, in order for your application to be considered by the selection committee. We encourage you to apply only if you fulfill all of these qualifications.
Q: How do I apply for a position?
A: If you are interested in applying for an available position, you must submit a complete application to GlobalCorps before the closing date and time. A typical complete application package consists of the following requirements below. Please note that some solicitations may have slightly different requirements from the typical ones shown below. In case of differences, refer to the posted solicitation for guidance. The posted solicitation will govern the process. If you have any questions, please contact GlobalCorps.
In general, applicants interested in applying for an open position must submit the following materials:
- A complete resume. Your resume must include:
a. Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Dates (month/year) and locations for all overseas field experience must also be detailed. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements.
b. Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work.
c. Names and contact information (phone and email) of your current and/or previous supervisor(s)
d. Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards, or accomplishments.
e. Country of Citizenship. (U.S. citizenship required for all USPSC positions.
f. A supplemental document specifically addressing each of the Evaluation Factors (EFs) shown in the solicitation.
You can use our Application Checklist on our website to verify that your application is complete and ready to send to GlobalCorps. Only required applications documents submitted will be accepted. Additional documents will not be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Complete applications can be sent to GlobalCorps by online application, e-mail or hand-delivery. Details, including our e-mail address, mailing address are located on the cover page of the solicitation, or on our website on the UAID PSC Job Seekers page. Please note that all materials must arrive in our office (or email inbox) before the closing date and time listed on the posting.
Q: Should I include my volunteer and internship experience on the application?
A: Related volunteer or internship experience is considered part of your qualifying professional experience. It is important for you to include all relevant professional experience, whether paid or unpaid, in your application.
Q: What are Evaluation Factors (EFs)?
A: Evaluation Factors are a unique set of qualifications that the Technical Evaluation Committee wants to find in the person selected to fill the position. Each factor plays an important part in identifying those applicants that are better qualified for a position.
For additional information on Evaluation Factors, read the Sample Evaluation Factor Responses and Guidance available on our website.
Q: Is the OF-612 form required for my application? I noticed that there is an OF-612 form on the GlobalCorps website and the solicitation says it is a required form for USPSCs.
A: For USPSC positions posted on the GlobalCorps website, the OF-612 form is not required as an application document. Please note that some solicitations may have different application requirements. In case of differences, the posted solicitation is the governing document. If you have any questions, please contact GlobalCorps.
Applicants who are selected for hire for a USPSC position will be required to fill out an OF-612 form. So while the OF-612 form is not required for an application package, it is required for the selectee’s contract. A GlobalCorps contract specialist will notify you when you are required to fill out the form.
Q: To whom do I address my application?
A: You can address your application materials to the GlobalCorps recruiter(s) listed in the solicitation.
Q: How can I confirm that my application was received?
A: GlobalCorps confirms receipt of your application package via email. If you have not received an email confirmation, or are concerned that your application was not received, it is your responsibility, as the applicant, to follow-up by contacting GlobalCorps.
Q: Does GlobalCorps keep my job application on file?
A: Yes, but please be aware that we do not use your current materials on file for future positions. You must send updated application materials for each position to which you’d like to apply.
Q: Do I have to submit a new application for each position for which I apply?
A: Each position has a distinct set of Education/Experience Requirements and Evaluation Factors (EF) that need to be addressed, as part of a complete application package. Although we keep a copy of your application materials in our database, you should submit an updated application that includes a new resume and EF document for each position to which you apply.
Q: May I apply for more than one position?
A: Yes, you may apply for multiple positions. However, you must submit a separate and complete application for each position.
Q: If I apply for one position, but qualify for several, will I be considered for all of them?
A: No, you will only be considered for positions to which you have applied. Therefore, please send GlobalCorps a separate and complete application for each position in which you are interested. If the solicitation advertises multiple GS levels, you must submit a separate and complete application for each GS level for which you would like to apply.
Q: What if I need help applying?
A: If you need assistance applying, please contact a recruiter at GlobalCorps before the closing date on the solicitation.
Q: Who should I notify if I have changed my contact information since submitting an application?
A: If your contact information changes, please send the updated information to the GlobalCorps recruiter listed on the opening page of the solicitation.
4. The Selection Process
Q: What happens after I submit my application?
A: Your application package is submitted to GlobalCorps, and all of the materials received are entered into our database system. GlobalCorps will then send an email confirming receipt of your application. The selection committee reviews all of the application packages and selects qualified applicants for interviews. The application review process takes an average of 3 to 12 weeks after a position has closed. GlobalCorps will contact the qualified applicants to schedule an interview. After interviews are conducted, GlobalCorps will conduct academic verifications and reference checks. Once completed, the selection committee nominates candidate(s) for hire. Once the nomination is approved, a Contract Specialist will contact the selected candidate(s) to make a job offer.
Q: What is the time frame for the selection process?
A: There is no set time frame for the selection process—the process varies based upon the number of applications received, the schedule of selection committee members, etc. The selection process can take several weeks from the closing date, and occasionally it can take several months before a selection is made. GlobalCorps notifies all applicants when there is a change to their application status.
Q: I applied for a position last week and never heard anything and I want to check on the status of my application.
A: You should have received an e-mail verifying receipt of your application. If you have not received an e-mail verification, please contact GlobalCorps to confirm that your application was received. Additionally, please note that applicants are responsible for confirming that their application materials were received on time.
Q: How can I find out the status of these vacancies?
A: Unfortunately GlobalCorps cannot provide applicants with detailed information on the status of a vacancy. For example, we cannot tell you what stages of the selection process have been completed, or whether a candidate has been selected. If you have a general question about a vacancy, please contact GlobalCorps. Be sure that you tell the recruiter the job title so they know to which position you are referring.
Q: How will my application be rated?
A: Complete and timely applications are first reviewed against the Education/Experience Requirements and Selection Factors listed in the solicitation. Applicants must meet or exceed the number of years of both general and specialized experience and required education listed in the solicitation to be considered for the position. If an applicant meets all of the Education/Experience Requirements & Selection Factors, the responses he/she provided for the Evaluation Factors will be given a numerical rating calculated in accordance with the weighting of questions as listed in the solicitation. After the applications are ranked, the best qualified candidates will be selected for an interview.
Q: Are interviews conducted in person or over the phone?
A: Interviews are conducted by phone or in person at our office in Washington, D.C. The selection committee determines whether interviews will be conducted in person or by phone. Additionally, please note that interview expenses are not reimbursable—if an applicant travels to Washington, D.C., this will be at their own personal expense.
Q: If I am not selected for a position, whom should I contact to find out why?
A: If you are not selected for a position, you may contact GlobalCorps to request feedback from the Contracting Officer. This feedback will explain the reasons why you were not qualified or why your application was not as competitive as other candidates for the position. Please note that this is usually completed after a selection has been made and approved for hire.
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