Academia
Frequently Asked Questions
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- Our school holds career fairs, information sessions, etc. Can someone from the PMF Program Office come speak about the program?
- How can I be kept informed of new developments in the PMF Program?
- Can colleges and universities post the PMF application on their job sites?
- Which degree/disciplines will be most relevant or required?
- When is the application period?
- Who is eligible to apply?
- Are current Finalists eligible to compete for the next PMF application cycle?
- Are there opportunities for recent law graduates?
- What documents are required for the PMF application?
- Where can I find a general overview, application instructions, the timeline, and tips for our students?
- How will the timeline and application requirements differ from previous years?
- What will be the components of the assessment process?
- Are there materials provided to students to prepare them for the application and assessment process?
- Will OPM provide information about the total number of applicants and names of Finalists?
- How do Finalists learn about possible Federal agency PMF appointment opportunities? Where are the positions located?
1. Our school holds career fairs, information sessions, etc. Can someone from the PMF Program Office come speak about the program?
The PMF Program Office receives numerous requests to speak at career fairs and information sessions throughout the year. In an effort to maximize resources, and get timely updates to all academia stakeholders, we leverage technology to deliver details about the program. If you are interested in connecting with us on an opportunity, please email us at [email protected].
To support your efforts in educating graduate students about the program, an annual academia stakeholder meeting is conducted via a webinar and/or conference line to brief academic institutions about the program and upcoming application timelines. We also provide marketing and outreach materials for school usage. We maintain a PMFCampus listserv consisting of academia subscribers and we also partner with several affinity organizations. Depending on other OPM initiatives, we may visit select schools and/or attend regional conferences to address as many schools as possible.
2. How can I be kept informed of new developments in the PMF Program?
The PMF Program Office maintains a listserv called "PMFCampus." This listserv is specifically for academia staff to voluntarily subscribe for updates to the program. To subscribe, go to the Academia\Getting Info webpage. Everyone is encouraged to monitor the PMF website's News and Events section for announcements throughout the year.
3. Can colleges and universities post the PMF application on their job sites?
Once the annual PMF application period is announced, colleges and universities may post dates and information to their job site. And once the application launches on USAJOBS, colleges and universities may post the USAJOBS link to the announcement on their school job site. Eligible applicants must follow the PMF Program's official announcement instructions to apply. The official announcement will be posted to USAJOBS (www.usajobs.gov), with the keywords "Presidential Management Fellows", along with a direct link on the PMF website when the application period launches.
4. Which degree/disciplines will be most relevant or required?
The PMF Program is open to all accredited advanced degree students. The advanced degree from an accredited academic institution typically makes the Finalist eligible for the GS-09 grade/pay level. It does not necessarily mean the Finalists must appoint into a position directly related to their degree. However, some positions have positive education requirements where the Finalists must meet certain education requirements. Advanced Degree means a professional or graduate degree (e.g., master's, Ph.D., J.D.).
5. When is the application period?
Typically, the application launches annually in the fall. Information about the annual PMF application, and any known dates, can be found under the Become a PMF webpage.
6. Who is eligible to apply?
Students who will meet all graduate degree requirements (even though awaiting graduation), including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation, during the academic year (as identified under the Become A PMF\Application Process webpage), are eligible to apply. Additional information about eligibility can be found under the Become a PMF\Eligibility webpage.
Also, those who have obtained an advance degree from a qualifying college or university within 2 (two) years prior to the opening date of the announcement are eligible to apply.
More information can be found under the Become A PMF\Application Process webpage.
7. Are current Finalists eligible to compete for the next PMF application cycle?
Yes, if the Finalist meets eligibility requirements. However, if a current Finalist initiates an application and the online assessment to the next class, his/her current status as a Finalist will be forfeited.
8. Are there opportunities for recent law graduates?
The PMF Program is open to all advanced degrees, including J.D.'s. However, attorney positions in the Federal Government are hired under different appointing authorities and regulations. Additional information can be found under the Become a PMF\Eligibility\Attorneys webpage.
9. What documents are required for the PMF application?
All applicants are required to submit a resume and an advanced degree transcript (and/or alternative). Additional information about these documents can be found under the Become A PMF\Application Process\Application Tips webpage.
Applicants have the option to submit an undergraduate degree transcript.
Applicants who claim veterans' preference, Indian Preference, and/or reasonable accommodations for the assessment process are required to submit supporting documentation; information about these can be found under the Become a PMF webpage.
10. Where can I find a general overview, application instructions, the timeline, and tips for our students?
Information on eligibility requirements, application process, timelines, and tips can all be found under the Become A PMF webpage. General information and resources specific to academia can be found under the Academia\Resources webpage.
11. How will the timeline and application requirements differ from previous years?
Information about eligibility, how to apply, and dates can be found under the Become a PMF webpage. In addition, tips for applicants can be found under the Become a PMF\Application Process\Application Tips webpage.
The annual PMF application is typically conducted in the Fall. Information about the application and assessment process, including any changes, can be found under the Become a PMF webpage.
Additional updates may be posted under the News & Events section.
12. What will be the components of the assessment process?
During the application process, applicants will be asked to complete an online assessment consisting of multiple parts.
Additional information explaining the online assessment, competencies assessed, and the PMF Applicant Handbook, can be found under the Become a PMF\Resources webpage.
13. Are there materials provided to students to prepare them for the application and assessment process?
Yes. Applicants should thoroughly review the Become A PMF webpage (including all the Frequently Asked Questions) and the announcement when the application launches. An Assessment Preparation Guide is also made available under the Become A PMF\Assessment Process webpage shortly before the announcement opens and during the application period.
14. Will OPM provide information about the total number of applicants and names of Finalists?
We will provide this information online. An official list of Finalists is posted on the Become a PMF\Current Finalists webpage which will also include numbers. For a current list of Finalists that can be sorted by name, academic institution, qualifying degree, status, and appointment information, go to: https://apply.pmf.gov/finalists.aspx. NOTE: The public-facing list of Finalists will only show those Applicants selected as Finalists and only if they provided permission to display their name and information. Applicants must provide us permission to publically list them.
15. How do Finalists learn about possible Federal agency PMF appointment opportunities? Where are the positions located?
Participating Federal agencies post available PMF appointment opportunities to an online job bank, part of the PMF TMS (Talent Management System). Finalists will be instructed to log into the Apply Site of the PMF TMS, via their applicant user account, and search for available PMF appointment opportunities.
While PMFs may be placed across the country in regional offices, most PMF appointments are located at agency headquarters in the Washington, DC metro area.
Agencies post available positions throughout the year. Typically, a boost in the number of positions occurs shortly after the beginning of a fiscal year (October) when agencies adjust their staffing and budget forecasts or when funding for the next fiscal year is appropriated.
UPDATED: 07-02-2021