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OARS Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
- Is OARS the only way to submit an application for USGS positions?
- What if I don't have a computer?
- What if I don't have email?
- Can I use OARS from my office computer? Isn't there something that says I can't?
- When exactly do jobs close?
- I am not a citizen of the United States. Can I apply for jobs in the USGS?
- A lot of people don't have computers, particularly minorities and disabled individuals. Aren't you afraid of receiving even fewer minority/disabled applicants than before?
- How can you say you won't accept paper applications? Isn't that illegal?
- What if I need help applying?
- Is the selecting official obligated to interview all best-qualified applicants?
- What's the difference between Merit Promotion and DEU Announcements?
Q: Is OARS the only way to submit an application for USGS positions?
A: Yes, all USGS vacancy announcements will be filled using OARS. If applying online poses a hardship to any applicant, the Servicing Personnel Office listed on the announcement will provide assistance to ensure that applications are submitted by the closing date. Applicants must contact the Servicing Personnel Office prior to the closing date to speak to someone who can provide assistance for online submission.
Q: What if I don't have a computer?
A: All USGS Personnel Offices have computers available for your use in applying for OARS. In addition, most college placement offices, job search agencies, unemployment offices, public libraries and some civic centers have computers and Internet access for their patrons' free use.
Q: What if I don't have email?
A: There are several Internet Service Providers that offer free email accounts. Hotmail and Yahoo are just two of these. Through them or other companies, you can obtain a free email address that you can use with OARS.
Q: Can I use OARS from my office computer? Isn't there something that says I can't?
A: Whether or not you can use your office computer to apply for jobs depends on your employer's policy:
| If... |
Then |
More Information |
|---|---|---|
| You work for the USGS | Yes, you can use your USGS computer to apply for jobs (within reason.) | USGS policy permits employees to use their Federal computers and email to apply for jobs. USGS management has determined that use of this system is in the best interests of the Government for filling USGS vacancies. However, you are reminded that you may use government property/resources to apply for jobs only if it does not interfere with the performance of your regular duties. |
| You work for any other Federal agency or you work for a company in private industry | Contact your employer's personnel office for information on whether or not this is acceptable. |
Q: When exactly do jobs close?
A: OARS positions close at midnight Eastern Time (the current time effective in Reston, Virginia) on the closing date of the announcement. Please pay special attention to the closing time depending on whether or not daylight savings time is in effect in Virginia on the closing date of the announcement.
Q: I am not a citizen of the United States. Can I apply for jobs in the USGS?
A: As a United States Federal agency we are not permitted to hire non-U.S. citizens except in very rare circumstances. If you are a non-citizen you are not eligible to apply to positions in the USGS, and OARS will not refer your application to any vacancy you apply for.
For more information about citizenship requirements in United States Federal positions, you should contact the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration services. U.S. citizens living in other countries, naturalized U.S. citizens and any individuals who can prove dual U.S. citizenship may apply for and be considered for USGS positions.
Q: A lot of people don't have computers, particularly minorities and disabled individuals. Aren't you afraid of receiving even fewer minority/disabled applicants than before?
A: Since we opened the USGS Employment Home Page in 2000 and implemented OARS, there have been over millions of hits on our home page and more than 120,000 registered users of our application system. These numbers increase every day. While we don't know for certain how many minority and disabled applicants applied to our jobs prior to OARS we see a huge increase in the total number of applicants for our vacancies, and a large number of these are minority and disabled candidates.
Q: How can you say you won't accept paper applications? Isn't that illegal?
A: No. Federal regulations allow us to automate our job application process and restrict access by any other methods so long as we:
- Assist applicants in any way possible in getting their applications submitted online by the closing date, and
- We provide that assistance without discrimination.
The USGS is on record and stands on the premise that we will assist all applicants in applying online to our vacancies.
Q: What if I need help applying?
A: For assistance on applying for OARS vacancies please contact the Personnel Specialist listed on the vacancy announcement of the job you are interested in. He or she will help you submit your application online. If applying online poses a hardship to you, you must call the Personnel Specialist before the closing date on the announcement for assistance.
Q: Is the selecting official obligated to interview all best-qualified applicants?
A: No. A hiring manager is free to decide who should or should not be interviewed. However, if a manager chooses not to interview the reason must be justifiable upon review.
Q: What's the difference between Merit Promotion and DEU Announcements?
A: This question is answered here.
U.S. Geological Survey, 601 National Center, Reston, VA 20192, USA
URL http://www.usgs.gov/ohr/oars/faq_general.html
Content Information Contact: oars@usgs.gov
Last modification: 12-May-2005 mlfreder@usgs.gov