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 public. However, this does not guarantee a job. You still need to meet job qualifications, go through the selection process, and satisfy other requirements like background checks. 

If applying to an announcement directly, the announcement must be accepting applications from outside of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In other words, the announcement should be available to individuals from outside of HHS.

You may be eligible if you meet one of the following:

• You work at a specific federal agency that has a valid interchange agreement with the Office of Personnel Management (e.g., Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Nonappropriated Fund employees of the Department of Defense)

• You are at certain agency in a role not overseen by OPM:
  • Postal Career Service
  • Postal Rate Commission
  • Government Accountability Office
  • Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
     
• You are eligible for a non-competitive appointment or other special hiring authority:
  • Alumni from certain educational programs:
    • Fulbright 
    • Benjamin A. Gilman
    • Critical Language Scholarship Programs
       
  • And other various authorities

Documentation you must submit:

To verify your eligibility, you must submit the following if applicable:

• A copy of your Notification of Personnel Action, Standard Form 50 (SF-50) or equivalent employment record reflecting your status.
• A copy of your non-competitive eligibility letter or equivalent. 
• Any other documentation you have demonstrating your eligibility status. 

You must submit all required documents by the closing date of the announcement with your application package.

Visit OPM’s Competitive Hiring webpage and the USAJOBS Special authorities webpage for additional information and eligibility requirements.