A Guide to Applying for Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships

The document serves as a how-to guide for scientists seeking employment in the US federal government. It highlights a current shortage of federal scientists and provides practical advice on using USAJobs.gov, tailoring resumes and cover letters to meet strict agency requirements, and preparing for civil service interviews. It also emphasizes the importance of federal science in addressing global climate change and protecting underserved communities, noting that 28 agencies have scientific integrity policies to prevent political interference.

• There is currently a shortage of federal scientists, which has resulted in critical science-based work remaining unfinished. As an example, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed to hire 1,000 employees by May 2022 to rebuild staff following losses from the previous administration.
• USAJobs.gov is the primary portal for federal applications, and candidates are encouraged to use its Resume Builder because most agencies require resumes to be in the specific format provided by the website.
• Federal job applications require a higher degree of precision regarding qualifications than private sector roles; applicants should satisfy most or all listed qualifications, and resumes should mirror the specific language and keywords used in the job description.
• The federal government utilizes 'hiring authorities' to fill roles for specialists in short supply or to increase diversity, including specific paths for veterans and people with disabilities.
• Federal scientists are essential for implementing science-based activities for the public good, including addressing global climate change, combatting pandemics, and improving outcomes for Indigenous communities, low-income communities, and communities of color.
• To protect against the politicization of science-based decision-making, 28 federal agencies have established scientific integrity policies.
• The Office of Personnel Management’s Pathways Program is specifically designed to recruit and retain students and recent graduates for federal careers.

APA

Carter, J., Kinser, S., & Varga, M. (2021). A Guide to Applying for Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships. Union of Concerned Scientists. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/becoming-a-federal-scientist-toolkit.pdf

Chicago

Carter, Jacob, Shea Kinser, and Melissa Varga. A Guide to Applying for Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships. Union of Concerned Scientists, 2021. https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/becoming-a-federal-scientist-toolkit.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Carter |first1=Jacob |last2=Kinser |first2=Shea |last3=Varga |first3=Melissa |title=A Guide to Applying for Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships |publisher=Union of Concerned Scientists |date=September 2021 |url=https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/becoming-a-federal-scientist-toolkit.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{carter2021guide, author = {Carter, Jacob and Kinser, Shea and Varga, Melissa}, title = {{A Guide to Applying for Jobs, Internships, and Fellowships}}, institution = {Union of Concerned Scientists}, year = {2021}, month = sep, url = {https://www.ucs.org/sites/default/files/2021-09/becoming-a-federal-scientist-toolkit.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }