Commitment to hiring individuals with disabilities

Individuals with disabilities are important members of the diverse culture that makes up our workforce. NOAA is committed to improving employment opportunities for all individuals including disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities and individuals with targeted disabilities. We fully support presidential Executive Order 13548 (July 26, 2010) which ensures that individuals with disabilities are represented throughout our agency, as applicants with disabilities represent an important pool of potential qualified candidates.

 

NOAA partners with colleges, universities, and various recruitment organizations that work directly with individuals with disabilities to increase awareness of our career opportunities. Our business advisors understand federal hiring regulations specific to individuals with disabilities and work to ensure that résumés of qualified Schedule A candidates are received.

 

As a federal agency, NOAA fills position through competitive and non-competitive hiring. Individuals with disabilities may apply for jobs filled either way, however, they must meet the position qualification requirements and be able to perform the essential duties of the position. Positions within NOAA that are filled competitively are advertised through www.USAJOBS.gov.

 

To apply for a non-competitive appointment through the Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority, individuals with specific disabilities (deafness, blindness, missing extremities, partial paralysis, complete paralysis, epilepsy, severe intellectual disability, psychiatric disability, and/or dwarfism) must have documentation from a licensed medical professional (a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (state or private); or any federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits. Applicants with documentation may apply directly to the NOAA’s Selective Placement Coordinator at ScheduleA@NOAA.GOV and should include both a résumé and pertinent eligibility documentation.

 

NOAA offers reasonable accommodations to applicants for employment and employees< with disabilities who may require an accommodation. Under the Reasonable Accommodation Program, an accommodation is considered an adjustment or alteration< that enables a qualified person with a disability to apply for a job, perform job duties, or enjoy the benefits and privileges of employment. For reasonable accommodation assistance during the application phase applicants are encouraged to email the agency’s Selective Placement Coordinator at schedulea@noaa.gov.

Applying for federal jobs can be confusing. Online resources from the federal government, including the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to help you through the process include: