How to Apply Overview
Those who may be familiar with the program should note that the competition for selection as a PMF completely changed last year. PMF no longer requires the applicant to write their Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Essay, but rather apply online with their Federal Resume on www.USAjobs.gov. The subjective performance evaluation process at the Assessment Center has also been replaced by a written assessment test that is similar to the LSAT. All applicants nominated by their university are invited to complete this assessment. As a result, universities have been asked to develop more rigorous “in-house” nomination procedures making the application stage two-fold. In addition to the USAjobs application, UTK’s Nominating Committee headed up by Shawna Bussell in Career Services must also nominate each applicant based on separate application procedures. Both the official PMF and UTK application processes will be detailed below.
Stage One
OPM's Online Application
You must complete the online PMF application, using information from your federal resume during the PMF’s official application period (November 20, 2007 - December 4, 2007). YOU CANNOT MISS THIS DEADLINE, they take down the application at this time.
- PMFP Application
- Form 1300: Once you complete the applicaiton, you will be asked to print out Form 1300 for the Nominating Official to sign. You will include that form with your UTK application packet.
Stage Two
UTK's Nomination Process(Two Steps)
Due to the changes of last year’s selection process, UTK established a Nominating Committee to review each applicant before making nomination decisions. While there is no limit to the number of applications we approve, we must maintain the integrity of the program by reviewing all applicants based on proven "interest in and commitment to, excellence in the leadership and management of public policies and programs".
- The UTK Application Packet
- Form 1300: Printed after submitting your OPM application
- Federal Resume: Printed copy of your USAJOBS or other federal-style resume
- Personal Statement/Essay: This is your opportunity to talk about your motivation to become a PMF and to illustrate your written communication skills. Please be specific. You may submit a limit of five pages, but keep in mind that your written communication skills will be partially evaluated by your ability to be succinct.
- Why do you want to work in the federal government? What positive role do you believe the fedral government plays in our society?
- What particular skills, knowledge and abilities do you have that you thinks will enable you to be an effective employee in the federal service?
- What is or should be your code of ethics for service in the federal government? What do you think are the most critical ethical challenges that confront public servants?
- Deadline: All application materials must be hand-delivered to the front desk receptionist at the Career Services Office, 100 Dunford Hall (December 6, 2007 by 5pm). The complete application packets are necessary for the committee to consider applicants for nomination, but more importantly, the Form 1300 must be faxed to OPM to officially nominate a candidate. If it is not personally handed in, we cannot guarantee its successful transmission to OPM. If that form is not faxed to OPM, your application is rejected. Be sure to get your receipt when you turn in your materials!
- Committe Interviews - CANCELLED due to new time contstraints
- The Nomination Committee will select applicants to participate in a brief interview (20-30 minutes) with the committee based on the resume and personal statement. Applicants will be contacted to sign up for available time slots. Again, there is no nomination cap. We will interview and nominate all applicants that meet the qualifications identified by the PMFP mission.