Hiring Process Analysis Tool

Step 5: Create and Post a Job Opportunity Announcement including Identifying Career Patterns

The Create and Post a Job Opportunity Announcement including Identifying Career Patterns element is performed by the Human Resources Office (HRO). This element takes two days to complete. During this time, HRO will identify the required items for a job opportunity announcement, optional items, security requirements, career patterns for the applicants, and the length of time needed for the process.

The first step in the Create and Post a Job Opportunity Announcement including Identifying Career Patterns element is to identify the required items for a job announcement. These items include:

• Agency name;
• Announcement number;
• Title of the position;
• Series;
• Grade(s) or equivalent and entrance pay;
• Open and closing dates, including cut-off dates, if any;
• Duty location;
• Number of vacancies;
• Description of duties;
• Qualification requirements, including KSAs/competencies;
• Basis for rating;
• How to apply;
• What documents to file;
• Agency's definition of "well qualified" (Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP), Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) and Reemployment Priority List (RPL);
• Information on how to claim Veterans' Preference;
• EEO Statement; and
• Reasonable Accommodation Statement.

The second step involves the HRO identifying items that are optional but not required for a job announcement. These items include:

• Recruitment/Relocation incentive opportunities;
• Alternative work schedules;
• Part-time employment and job sharing opportunities;
• Telework options;
• Employee benefits;
• Work/Life programs;
• Transit subsidies;
• Employee assistance programs;
• Incentive award opportunities; and
• Development and training opportunities.

The HRO must also identify the position's security requirements. HRO can do this by reviewing the level of security required to perform the duties of the position.

In the third step, the HRO must identify career patterns for the applicants based on workforce and the recruitment planning process. If HRO employees need help identifying the eligibles career patterns, they can use the OPM Career Patterns Initiative. At this time, HRO must also identify the length of the process from application to entering on duty.

And finally, the HRO must create and post the Job Opportunity Announcement. To aid in creating a job opportunity announcement, HRO employees should use the job announcement templates on USAJOBS and review the agency's public notice requirement/policy. When the announcement is ready and they have reviewed the agency public notice requirement/policy, HRO employees should post the job opportunity announcement on OPM's USAJOBS website. HRO may also consider using an automatic staffing system that generates job opportunity announcements such as USA Staffing System.

For more information on creating a job announcement, check out Chapter 3, Section C of the Delegated Examining Operations Handbook (DEOH).

OPM Steps: 2
OPM Total Days: 10