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Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) for Students or Recent Graduates with Disabilities

By Human Capital

The WRP is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer, temporary, or permanent jobs.

Managed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), candidates apply to the WRP each fall through participating campuses managed by a School Coordinator. Information from candidates is compiled in a searchable database that is available through the WRP website for federal hiring managers and HR professionals. The database is renewed with a new set of candidates each year.

Under the Schedule A hiring authority for people with disabilities, WRP candidates can be hired non-competitively on a Federal appointment. For additional information about the Schedule A hiring authority visit the Schedule A Authority web page. For information about the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) and to access the database of candidates visit https://www.wrp.gov/wrp. Managers may contact their servicing Human Resources Specialist or contact Diversity and Equal Opportunity Office for questions related to reasonable accommodations.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you appoint a WRP candidate on a Pathways Appointment?

Schedule A - HIring a WRP Candidate Schedule D - HIring under the Pathways Program
→ A hiring manager can use the Schedule A hiring authority to hire a student/recent graduate with a disability, they can recruit directly from the WRP database without having to publicly post the position.



→ The appointment will follow the Schedule A regulations (5 CFR 213.3102(u) and provision in 5 CFR part 302).



→ Selectee must meet all eligibility and qualification requirements of the position.



→ Contact your servicing HR Specialist if you are interested in filling a position under the Schedule A hiring authority using WRP.		 → A hiring manager can use the Schedule D, Pathways hiring authority to recruit qualified candidates, and still use the WRP database.



→ Following all Schedule D regulations (5 CFR 213.3402 and provision in 5 CRF part 302). The vacancy announcement would be posted on USAJOBS.



→ The hiring manager, working with their servicing HR Specialist can conduct targeted outreach and contact qualified candidates on the WRP database, encouraging them to apply via USAJOBS for the publicly posted position. 



→ Coordinating the targeted outreach and job posting is important. Make sure you keep your servicing HR Specialist involved in the process.

What type of appointments can be filled under Schedule A appointing authority?

Individuals with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either competitively or noncompetitively through the Schedule A excepted service appointment authority. There are several appointment options available. For additional information, go to the Special Appointing Authority for People with Disabilities (Schedule A) web page. Please contact your servicing HR Specialist to discuss the appointment options that fit the needs of the position you are filling. 

 

Best Practices

  • Utilizing the WRP database can help expedite your hiring needs not only for internship/recent graduate positions, but also for your short-term and long-term needs.
  • Before advertising a position, check WRP for potential candidates to hire non-competitively without having to post an announcement.   
  • The WRP database is updated yearly in December with a new pool of candidates that are available and eager to showcase their skills.

 

Additional Questions, please contact your servicing HR Specialist.

 

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