Im lookin to work for the gov't as a wildlife biologist, technician or some other equivalent


I'll be graduating in December (if all goes well).



My question is, should I apply for jobs now and indicate that my degree is "In progress, graduating dec 07" or do they require that you apply only once you actually have the degree.


I've heard these apps can take many months to get through so I wanna get the ball rolling

7/11/2007 4:18:45 PM

i'd go ahead and do it

7/11/2007 4:21:25 PM

Call the agency with which you are applying. Some for instance allow you to apply within 9 months of graduation, others make you have your degree in hand.

7/11/2007 4:23:55 PM

Do it now. I currently work for the government. I sent in my application (through USAjobs.com) in September and got a call in January. I graduated in May. Just make sure that on your resume that you put your degree(s) and the expected date. I actually started my job hunt in August and started getting a few backs towards the end of October, so they are definitely looking to get people hired and ready to go before they actually graduate.

7/11/2007 4:29:09 PM

I don't know about the federal gov't, but with the stae, you pretty much have to have the degree in hand to be considered a qualifed Engineer/Chemist/Biologist/whatever candidate. Sometimes there are trainee positions however, which you can get into while finishing your degree. There are only a few of those however, such as Trans. Eng. Trainee. If that isn't available in your field, you can probably be qualified as a technician candidate instead. You obviously would start out lower, but you would quickly move up to your desired position.

7/11/2007 4:32:29 PM

^ yeah that's why i got concerned because i hear state jobs can be a bit picky as to whether or not you actually have the degree

7/11/2007 4:41:59 PM

You have to have the degree in hand, but don't worry about it.
Apply anyway.
It'll take the agency 5 months to push it through the central bureaucracy anyway.

Seriously though, call the agency.
If it's with the wildlife resources commission then find the number of the field office where the job's at and ask them.

7/11/2007 7:32:12 PM

I did a Co-op with the EPA. Go ahead and apply. Your paperwork will take a couple of months

7/11/2007 8:38:07 PM

Ya I used to work for the gov't and just to get hired it takes sometimes forever. And if you don't apply now and get it started and try applying after you graduate you might have to wait a few months or more after you graduate till they hire you on. Anything can happen too such as job freezes, departmental shifts where jobs get phased out or transfered, and other stuff.

If there is a question about your not graduating yet they may ask you and you can say you are about to finish up and most companies, including the gov't, will still hire you on.

7/12/2007 8:49:06 AM

It should not be a problem applying before you have the degree, especially if they aren't in a big hurry to fill the position. They deal with these situations all the time. Just indicate on your application and resume your anticipated completion date. If they select you, most likely there will be some flexibility as to start date, and they will start you whenever works best soon after graduation. In some cases, there may be some flexibility, as I started my job (which called for a masters) after I finished my coursework but didn't technically get my masters for another year. Networking always helps as well.

Really, they are always looking for good people and it usually won't bother them to wait a couple months for the right person.

7/12/2007 9:16:48 AM

should you even apply for a gov job if you have a drinking ticket on your record?

7/12/2007 10:30:51 AM

Your best bet is to match WORD-FOR-WORD exactly what the job posting lists under necessary requirements. Government HR departments are notorious for being completely inept and generally clueless as to what the requirements actually mean. Thus, some desk-monkey simply will go through and match how many of your words match the words they're looking for.

As for the degree question, I would go ahead and list it with the expected completion date. There's always a chance they'll discard you for "not being qualified" -- but if the reviewer has any clue then they'll consider you. (Just remember that these are typically reviewed by the desk-monkey with no institutional knowledge before ever getting to the supervisor.)

I'm a former state employee in NC and have seen a lot of BS happen b/c of shitty HR practices.

Best of luck..

7/12/2007 1:05:16 PM

^Absolutely good advice.

In the NCFS the HR dept has thrown out applications that listed "Microsoft Word" because the people did not mention that they had experience with "word processing programs."
A lot of people also got thrown out when they listed "ArcMap" or "ArcView" instead of "GIS."

7/12/2007 1:11:02 PM

Unless your EX mil, or know sombody your gonna have a helluva time getting hired.

7/12/2007 1:19:42 PM

After living with you, I now know why you want to play with furry little creatures for a living. Robo=furry little creature?!?!?

7/12/2007 1:46:05 PM

Quote :

"should you even apply for a gov job if you have a drinking ticket on your record?"

Be more specific I can probably answer your question.

7/12/2007 1:47:46 PM

Quote :

"I'm a former state employee in NC and have seen a lot of BS happen b/c of shitty HR practices. "

State HR is very very very retarded

7/12/2007 1:48:48 PM

Quote :

"In the NCFS the HR dept has thrown out applications that listed "Microsoft Word" because the people did not mention that they had experience with "word processing programs." A lot of people also got thrown out when they listed "ArcMap" or "ArcView" instead of "GIS." "

yeah when i was sending out my resume (seems like such a long time ago!) i made sure to put things like:

Word Processing Programs (MS Word, Wordperfect, Wordstar)

7/12/2007 1:51:18 PM

Quote :

"Be more specific I can probably answer your question."

i have a possesion of wine ticket from 2 almost 3 years ago on my record and i know that most jobs do background checks for gov positions so does that usually automatically disqualify you?

7/12/2007 3:33:24 PM

No...but it can put a kink in you getting a gov vehicle from the dept of administration.

7/12/2007 4:02:28 PM

^^Probably not, unless you are untruthful on your application about it.

7/12/2007 4:18:28 PM