Special Hiring Paths

Federal jobs like those at NIH offer unique application routes for different groups, such as the general public, veterans, students, and people with disabilities. These are known as “Hiring Paths.” Each job might use a different path, so it's important to check which one applies to you.

• Applicants with Disabilities

  Federal guidelines allow individuals with documented disabilities, whether intellectual, severe physical, or psychiatric, to apply for Federal Government jobs.

  Learn more about disability hiring eligibility

• Veterans

  If you're a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans' preference, as well as other veteran specific hiring options.

  Learn more about veteran hiring eligibility

• Military Spouses

  Military spouses can apply or be appointed directly for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public.

  Learn more about military spouse hiring eligibility

• Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA

  Federal regulations allow Peace Corps and AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers, as well as former or current Peace Corps staff, to apply for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public.

  Learn more about Peace Corp and Americorp hiring eligibility

• Commissioned Corps

  Commissioned Corps officers of the Public Health Service, including those who are professionally boarded, can apply for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public. However, this doesn't guarantee a job.

  Learn more about Commissioned Corps hiring eligibility

• Family Members of Overseas Employees

  Federal rules (5 CFR 315.608) allow some family members of federal employees or uniformed service members who've worked abroad to apply for and get Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public.

  Learn more about family members of overseas employees hiring eligibility

• Foreign Service Employees

  Federal rules (5 CFR 315.606) allow certain current and former Foreign Service officers and employees to apply for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public.

  Learn more about foreign service employee hiring eligibility

• Career Transition Assistance Program

  If you're an HHS employee with a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice or a Certification of Expected Separation (CES), you might get priority under the HHS Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP).

  Learn more about CTAP hiring eligibility

• Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan

  The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) gives employees who've been involuntarily let go from a job in one agency priority when applying for jobs in a different agency.

  Learn more about the ICTAP assistance plan

• Land Management Workforce

  The Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) lets individuals with temporary roles in land management agencies apply for permanent government positions.

  Learn more about the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act

• Base Facilities Management Employees

  If you're a current or former time-limited employee of a Base Management agency, you may be eligible for a permanent appointment in the competitive service.

  Learn more about the base facility management employee hiring eligibility

• OPM Interchange Agreement and Other Special Authorities

  Some individuals who are eligible for an Interchange Agreement or through another authority (e.g., Executive Order, Statute) can apply for Federal Government jobs without competing with the general public.

  Learn more about the OPM interchange agreement