Exhibit 3. Sample Vacancy Announcement Language - CTAP

Below are two sets of vacancy announcement language, supplied by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to explain CTAP and ICTAP: a longer version and a shorter version.

I. Longer Version

SPECIAL SELECTION PRIORITY PROVISIONS FOR SURPLUS OR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES UNDER A CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (CTAP)

A. CTAP (for Non - DoD Agencies Only)

If you are currently an employee who has received a Reduction in Force (RIF) separation notice, a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), or notice of proposed separation for declining a direct reassignment or transfer of function outside of the local commuting area, you may be entitled to special selection priority under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). To receive this priority consideration you must:

1. Be a current (Insert Bureau Name) career or career-conditional (tenure group I or 11) competitive service employee who has received a RIF separation notice, a Certificate of Expected Separation (CES), or notice of proposed separation for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside of the local commuting area, and you are still on the rolls of [insert Bureau Name]. You must submit a copy of the RIF notice, CES, or notice of proposed separation with your application.

2. Be applying for a position that is at or below the grade level of the position from which you are being separated. The position must not have a greater promotion potential than the position from which you are being separated.

3. Have a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or equivalent. This must be submitted with your application package.

4. Be currently employed by (Insert Bureau Name) in the same commuting area of the position for which you are requesting selection priority.

5. File your application by the closing date of the vacancy announcement and meet all the application criteria (e.g., submit all required documentation, etc.).

6. Be rated well-qualified for the position. To be rated "well- qualified," CTAP applicants must attain an eligibility rating on this examination of (Insert Score) or higher, not including points for veteran's preference.

B. ICTAP (for all Federal Agencies)

SPECIAL SELECTION PRIORITY PROVISIONS FOR DISPLACED FEDERAL EMPLOYEES UNDER THE INTERAGENCY CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE PLAN (ICTAP)

If you are a displaced Federal employee, you may be entitled to receive special selection priority under the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP). To receive this priority you must:

1. Be a displaced Federal employee. You must submit with your application a copy of the appropriate documentation, such as a RIF separation notice, a Standard Form 50 reflecting your RIF separation, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function to another commuting area. The following categories of persons are considered displaced employees:

   a. Current or former career or career-conditional (Tenure group I or 11) competitive service employees who:

   1) Received a specific RIF separation notice; or

   2) Separated because of a compensable injury or illness, whose compensation has been terminated, and whose former agency certifies that it is unable to place; or

   3) Retired with a disability and whose disability annuity has been, or is being, terminated; or

   4) Upon receipt of a RIF separation notice, retired on the effective date of the RIF and submits a Standard Form 50 that indicates "Retirement in lieu of RIF," or retired under the discontinued service retirement option; or

   5) Received a notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area.

   b. Former Military Reserve or National Guard Technicians who are receiving a special OPM disability retirement annuity under Section §8337(H) or § 8456 of Title 5 United States Code.

2. Be applying for a position at or below the grade level of the position from which you have been separated. The position must not have a greater promotion potential than the position from which you were separated.

3. Have a current (or last) performance rating of record of at least fully successful or the equivalent. You must submit a copy of this performance rating with your application package. (This requirement does not apply to candidates who are eligible due to compensable injury or disability retirement)

4. Occupy or be displaced from a position in the same local commuting area of the position for which you are requesting selection priority.
5. File your application by the closing date of the vacancy announcement and meet all of the application criteria (e.g., submit all required documentation, etc.)

6. Be rated well-qualified for the position. To be rated "well-qualified," ICTAP applicants must attain an eligibility rating on this examination of (insert Score) or higher, not including points for veteran's preference.

II. Shorter Version

Individuals who have special priority selection rights under the Agency Career Transition Assistance Program (CTAP) or the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) must be well qualified for the position to receive consideration for special priority selection. CTAP and ICTAP eligibles will be considered well qualified if (insert definition of well qualified).

Federal employees seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility must submit proof that they meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605 (a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330.704 for ICTAP. This includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of their most recent Performance Rating and a copy of their most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. Please annotate your application to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

Revised: 6-16-99
U.S. Department of the Interior - Office of Personnel Policy