Instructions for Optional Application for Federal Employment - OF 612
You may apply for most Federal jobs with a resume, an Optional Application for Federal Employment (OF 612), or other written format. If your resume or
application does not provide all the information requested on this form and in the job vacancy announcement, you may lose consideration for a job. Type or
print clearly in black ink. Help speed the selection process by keeping your application brief and sending only the requested information. If essential to
attach additional pages, include your name and Social Security Number on each page.
• For information on Federal employment, including alternative formats for persons with disabilities and veterans’ preference, contact the U.S. Office of
Personnel Management at 478-757-3000, TDD 478-744-2299, or via the Internet at www.USAJOBS.opm.gov.
• If you served on active duty in the United States Military and were separated under honorable conditions, you may be eligible for veterans’ preference. To
receive preference, if your service began after October 15, 1976, you must have a Campaign Badge, Expeditionary Medal, or a service-connected disability.
Veterans’ preference is not a factor for Senior Executive Service jobs or when competition is limited to status candidates (current or former career or
career-conditional Federal employees).
• Most Federal jobs require United States citizenship and also that males over age 18 born after December 31, 1959, have registered with the Selective
Service System or have an exemption.
• The law prohibits public officials from appointing, promoting, or recommending their relatives.
• Federal annuitants (military and civilian) may have their salaries or annuities reduced. Every employee must pay any valid delinquent debt or the agency
may garnish their salary.
• Send your application to the office announcing the vacancy. If you have questions, contact the office identified in the announcement.
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Privacy Act Statement
The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and other Federal agencies rate applicants for Federal jobs under the authority of sections 1104, 1302, 3301,
3304, 3320, 3361, 3393, and 3394 of title 5 of the United States Code. We need the information requested in this form and in the associated vacancy
announcements to evaluate your qualifications. Other laws require us to ask about citizenship, military service, etc. In order to keep your records in order,
we request your Social Security Number (SSN) under the authority of Public Law 104-134 (April 26, 1996). This law requires that any person doing business
with the Federal government furnish an SSN or tax identification number. This is an amendment to title 31, Section 7701. Failure to furnish the requested
information may delay or prevent action on your application. We use your SSN to seek information about you from employers, schools, banks, and others
who know you. We may use your SSN in studies and computer matching with other Government files. If you do not give us your SSN or any other
information requested, we cannot process your application. Also, incomplete addresses and ZIP Codes will slow processing. We may confirm information
from your records with prospective nonfederal employers concerning tenure of employment, civil service status, length of service, and date and nature of
action for separation as shown on personnel action forms of specifically identified individuals.
Public Burden Statement
We estimate the public reporting burden for this collection will vary from 20 to 240 minutes with an average of 40 minutes per response, including time for
reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering data, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding the burden
statement or any other aspect of the collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management
(OPM), OPM Forms Officer, Washington, DC 20415-7900. The OMB number, 3206-0219, is currently valid. OPM may not collect this information and you
are not required to respond, unless this number is displayed. Do not send completed application forms to this address. Follow directions provided in the
vacancy announcement(s).
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER