FEDERAl CAREERS •J.'i. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Pamphlcf 35 October 1967 WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A GOVERNMENT CAREER 1. Because you'll have an interesting job and work with stimulating people. — As a Government worker, you'll do significant work in support of Federal programs that affect the life of every citizen. 2. Because appointment and advancement depend on ability. — All qualified applicants receive consideration for appointment without regard to sex, race, religion, color, national origin, politics, or any other nonmerit factor. The same principles of equal employment op- portunity apply after appointment. 3. Because skilled women are given a better chance to prove themselves. — Women have the chance to work in practically every occupation open to men in the Federal service. Their skills in particular fields and their aptitude for certain work mean that more women than men are hired to fill some jobs. 4. Because there's room to grow. — The Government is the largest employer in the United States. Its work requires hundreds of different skills. The large number of jobs and the opportunity to transfer from one agency to another assure maximum opportunity for advancement. 5. Because the Government is a good boss. — Federal career workers receive excellent "fringe" benefits, sick leave, life insurance, health insurance and retirement benefits, and opportunities for career advancement through training. 6. Because the Federal merit system lets you enjoy "the best of both worlds." — After 3 years of satisfactory Government service, the Government worker has career status. Should a woman find it necessary to leave her job and devote herself to her home, her career status will help her if she later decides to return to Government work. She may usually qualify for a Fed- eral assignment without competing again in an examination. FEDERAL CAREERS FOR WOMEN .!.»>• .n ^,.,0.«T.T„ , 'T:i'H. \A U 1 v^ ' - ' ' " (^ Anyone who still thinks that all Government career women are girl-Friday types in Washington offices is in for a big surprise. Women in Federal service have rung the bell in every occupation from astrophysics to zoology. From tropical shores to arctic snows, in all parts of our country and in virtually all parts of the world, women are distinguishing themselves — some providing indis- pensable support to leaders of vital Government pro- grams, others as experts in their own right. Some of them work in occupations traditionally thought of as woman's special fields, but a great many are in fields still generally regarded as man's exclusive province. About 674,000 women are employed by the Federal Government. In 1966, women in full-time white-collar occupations numbered 612,874. This represented a gain of approximately 89,000 over 1964. More than 13,000 women were in jobs graded at GS-12 (entrance salary approximately $11,000) and above. Women outnumber men in four broad white-collar occupational groups: general administration, clerical, and office services; personnel administration and industrial relations; mathematics and statistics; and library and archives. A CENTURY OF PROGRESS The history of women's progress in Government em- ployment is a story of slow but steady advancement. Al- though there were a few women postmasters appointed before 1800, the employment of women by the Govern- ment was generally looked upon with great disfavor until after the Civil War. Not only was it rather widely as- sumed that office work was beyond Delicate Woman's physical or mental capacities, the mere presence of women in public offices was regarded by many as a gross affront to propriety. Beginning in 1862 the Treasury Department pioneered in the employment of women. "Female clerks," declared their supervisor emphatically, "are more diligent and efficient than males!" Following the success of the Treas- ury experiment, a small number of "lady clerks" gained a foothold in other departments. For a long time, how- ever, women were hired primarily as an economy meas- ure — they were usually paid about half as much as men doing the same work. The Civil Service Act of 1883 marked the real turning point in Government careers for women. The merit system established by that Act made it possible for them to compete for appointment on equal terms with men — and they did. A young woman, a graduate of Vassar, was the second person to be appointed from a civil-serv- ice examination. Prejudice against them was broken down little by little, not by any theoretical considerations of abstract justice but by the performance of the women themselves on the job. World War I greatly increased their numbers and gave them a chance to prove their ability in a variety of occupa- tions, although postwar reduction of the Government work force showed that their permanent gains were largely in clerical fields. With the Classification Act of 1923, which established the principle of equal pay for equal work, women at last gained equality with men on the payroll. The manpower demands of World War II finally opened the doors of all professional, technical, and ad- ministrative fields to women — and they have kept those doors open ever since by their own efforts and achieve- ments. They are now found in nine-tenths of all the white- collar occupations in the Federal Government. NEW GAINS IN THE SIXTIES The 1960's have brought about a significant change of climate in the United States with respect to women's rights, including rights of employment. The change be- gan in 1961 with President John F. Kennedy's appoint- ment of the President's Commission on the Status of Women, and has moved forward under the stimulus of later organizations: The Interdepartmental Committee, the Citizens' Advisory Council, the State or Governors' Commissions on the Status of Women, and the Federal Woman's Award Study Group. In 1962, the Civil Service Commission, acting under new authority, put an end to the traditional practice of barring women from consideration for many positions. In a new rule it directed that no training opportunity or position shall be denied any person on the basis of sex, except in unusual situations found Justified by the Com- mission. Evaluation of a person's experience, skills, and physical requirements is recognized as the only valid yard- stick in determining a person's fitness for appointment and advancement. In December 1966 an Assistant to the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission for Federal Women's Programs was appointed. She will coordinate activities to improve employment, training, and advancement opportunities for women throughout the Government and will identify areas and activities needing special attention to ensure equal opportunity for women. Upon recommendation of the Federal Woman's Award Study Group, President Johnson issued an Executive order in October 1967 reinforcing prevention of discrimination because of sex. The President has also approved Study Group recommendations for compilation of data for full appraisal of the position of women in Government, possible changes in examination and qualification requirements, recruitment of women for part-time work, and an annual assessment of each agency's program for the more effective use of qualified women. In approving the recommendations, the President said: "As a nation we cannot continue to afford through out- moded custom or attitude the senseless waste of the capa- bility potential of American women. It is my firm intent, and I have expressed this many times since I became Pres- ident, to have the Federal service truly exemplify equal opportunity for all in employment and advancement re- gardless of race, color, creed, national origin, or sex." President Johnson has also said, "I am insisting that women play a larger role in this Government's plans and programs." With this long-range goal of having women participate more in the important work of the Government, the Fed- eral Government is engaged in an intensive talent search for womanpower. It is urging women to make their quali- fications known so that they may be considered when filling Government positions of all kinds. Because of the distinguished work of the President's Commission, the stimulus of later organizations, and active leadership in the executive branch, there are signs that the customs preventing women from realizing their full potential are gradually disappearing. Above all, women themselves are proving by their day-to-day achieve- ments that equal ability must be rewarded by equal op- portunity to succeed — ". . . because it is sound." Progress has been made in the higher levels of the Federal service. President Johnson has given the talent search a tremendous lift by his appointment of women to important top-level positions; he made 120 such ap- pointments between January 1964 and October 1965. THE FEDERAL WOMAN'S AWARD The achievements of women in Government have helped to make the Federal career service what it is to- day — a fine example of people working together for the Nation's progress. Their contributions have been felt since those first "lady clerks" appeared on the Federal scene in the 1800's. The distinction with which they have served has made possible many of the advances by which modern America defends itself and guards its welfare. Yet, public recognition has been slow in developing, and the tributes due women in Government have frequently failed to materialize. To spotlight the accomplishments of top-caliber career women in the Federal service, a special award for them was established in 1960. The Federal Woman's Award has three major pur- poses: To provide well-deserved public recognition to the recipients and new incentive to others, to highlight the important work that women are doing in executive, pro- fessional, scientific, and technical positions, and to stimu- late the recruitment of talented and ambitious young women who might not otherwise know of the many fine career opportunities offered by the Federal service throughout the United States and abroad. From the thousands of women in professional, admin- istrative, and technical positions who serve with distinc- tion, Federal administrators each year make up to three nominations, from their agencies, for the Federal Woman's Award. From those nominated, a panel of distinguished citi- zens, on behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Award, selects six outstanding women to receive the award at public ceremonies. Among the women named by agencies for considera- tion for the award have been representatives from an impressive range of occupational fields. They include doc- tors, lawyers, scientists, and engineers; high-ranking executives, foreign service officers, commercial and in- dustrial experts; and distinguished specialists in aviation, space research, and nuclear-age weapons. Also well repre- sented are the traditional women's occupations such as social welfare, nursing, nutrition, and library science. The 1967 awards went to women in six different career fields — foreign service, medicine, housing and urban de- velopment, research chemistry, education, and pathology. THE WAY TO A FEDERAL CAREER Ninety percent of Federal positions in the United States today are filled through the competitive merit system established by the Civil Service Act of 1883. Nine-tenths of Federal positions are outside Washington, D.C. — in towns and cities all over the country — so it is often pos- sible for a woman to secure a Government job near home. People without experience usually take a written test. The examination for people with experience or with some kind of technical training may simply require submitting applications, which are all rated under the same stand- ards on the basis of the information in them, subject to verification. Applicants with the highest ratings are given first consideration in filling positions. Gateway to career opportunities in Government for college-caliber people is the Federal-Service Entrance Examination. Open to college seniors and graduates re- gardless of major, as well as to persons with experience comparable to college graduation, the FSEE is used to fill trainee-level positions in all but a few highly technical occupations. The objective of the examination, given throughout the year, is to bring into Government highly qualified, career-minded men and women who have the potential to grow and develop and become the Government's career managers, technicians, and profes- sional leaders of tomorrow. Annually the Government makes more than 10,000 appointments from this examina- tion to fill its requirements for a continuing supply of able men and women interested in challenging and respon- sible positions with a future. Appointments of women from this examination have been increasing. They ac- counted for 17 percent of the appointments in 1963. By 1966, the percentage had increased to 33. More than 50 agencies fill positions from this examination. Thus one application can open the way for consideration in many agencies. Scientists and engineers entering the Federal service have unprecedented opportunity to participate in research and development work of vital importance. Appointments to these positions are usually made, not from the FSEE, but from separate examinations. For most of them, no written test is required. Other examinations for specific professions, such as ac- counting, auditing, dietetics, illustration, library science, medical technology, nursing, and teaching, are also an- nounced from time to time. The two-year college graduate can enter the Federal service through the Junior Federal Assistant Examina- tion or the Junior Engineer and Science Assistant Exam- ination. Persons appointed to these positions will provide support and technical assistance in the economics, admin- istrative, writing, data processing, finance, accounting, law, contracts, library science, statistics, supply, transpor- tation, biological, medical, engineering, and physical science fields. Less education and experience are required for many positions such as stenographer, typist, office machine op- erator, technical aid in the physical and biological sciences, post office clerk, telephone operator, nursing assistant, and library assistant. Most of them call for a written or per- formance test. The positions of typist and stenographer provide an open door for women with those skills. Many women 10 enter Federal service in these positions, complete their education after hours, and progress to more responsible, specialized positions. No competitive examinations are required for Federal jobs not under civil service, which are scattered through the various agencies. All positions in a few agencies — the Foreign Service of the Department of State, the Fed- eral Bureau of Investigation, the Atomic Energy Commis- sion, and the Tennessee Valley Authority — and physi- cians, dentists, and nurses in the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans Administration — are not under civil service. For information about such jobs, you should get in touch with the employing agency. I A ROAD MAP TO THE JOB YOU WANT • Prepare yourself well for the occupation of your choice. • Get in touch with a nearby Federal Job Information Center, or one of the offices listed on the back of this pamphlet, to find out whether the Government is cur- rendy accepting applications for your occupation. Some examinations are open all the time, others periodically, according to the vacancies Federal agencies anticipate. • If you are a college student, get in touch with your col- lege placement officer. He has information about open examinations and a reference copy of the Federal Carea- Directory — A Guide for College Students, which matches college majors with different kinds of Federal jobs. • Apply for the examination that interests you and for which you believe you are qualified. 11 Men and women should remember that civil service examinations are open to every American citizen regard- less of sex, race, creed, or politics. Appointments are made on merit, and advancement is on the same basis. Thousands of employees — men and women alike — are making successful careers in the Federal service. They work in programs of national and even worldwide im- portance. Many of them feel that sharing in work that is of such vital importance to so many millions of people is the most attractive and exciting feature of Government employment. FEDERAL JOB INFORMATION CENTERS Information about Federal civil service examinations can be obtained from any of the following Federal Job Information Centers. Address the Executive Officer, Inter- agency Board of U.S. Civil Service Examiners at: Sutherland Building Room 1802 806 Governors Drive SW. Huntsville, Ala. 35801 167 St. Louis Street Mobile, Ala. 36602 Hill Building 632 Sixth Avenue Anchorage, Alaska 99501 Baike Building 44 West Adams Street Phoenix, Ariz. 85003 923 West Fourth Street Little Rock, Ark. 72201 851 South Broadway Los Angeles, Calif. 90014 Suite 125 425 Capitol Mall Sacramento, Calif. 95814 12 380 West Court Street San Bernardino, Calif. 92401 1400 Fifth Street Suite 100 San Diego, Calif. 92101 450 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, Calif. 94102 Main U.S. Post Office Building, Room 203 18th and Stout Streets Denver, Colo. 80202 Room 716, Federal Building 450 Main Street Hartford, Conn. 06103 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 11th and King Streets Wilmington, Del. 19801 123 South Court Avenue Orlando, Fla. 32801 230 Peachtree Street NE. Atlanta, Ga. 30303 Federal Building 451 College Street Macon, Ga. 31201 Federal Building Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Room 107, Federal Building Boise, Idaho 83702 Room 1322 219 S. Dearborn Street Chicago, III. 60604 Room 102 36 South Pennsylvania St. Indianapolis, Ind. 46204 Old Federal Office Building Fifth and Court Streets Des Moines, Iowa 50309 Beacon Building 114 South Main Street Wichita, Kans. 67202 Heyburn Building 721 South Fourth Street Louisville, Ky. 40202 Federal Building South 600 South Street New Orleans, La. 70130 Federal Building Augusta, Maine 04330 Federal Office Building Lombard Street and Hopkins Place Baltimore, Md. 21201 P.O. and Courthouse BIdg. Boston, Mass. 02109 144 West Lafayette Street First Floor Lobby Detroit, Mich. 48226 Building 57 Ft. Snelling Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn. 55111 802 North State Street Jackson, Miss. 39201 Federal Building 601 East 12th Street Kansas City, Mo. 64106 Federal Building 1520 Market Street St. Louis, Mo. 63103 I.B.M. Building 130 Neill Avenue Helena, Mont. 59601 Courthouse and P.O. Building 215 North 17th Street Omaha, Nebr. 68102 Federal Building 300 Booth Street Reno, Nev. 89502 Fed. BIdg.-U.S. Post Office Daniel and Penhallow Sts. Portsmouth, N.H. 03803 13 Post Office Building Federal Square Newark, N.J. 07102 Federal Building 421 Gold Avenue SW. Albuquerque, N. Mex. 87101 News Building 220 East 42d Street New York, N.Y. 10017 O'Donnell Building 301 Erie Boulevard West Syracuse, N.Y. 13202 415 W. Hillsborough Street Raleigh, N.C. 27603 Room 206, Manchester Building 112 University Drive Fargo, N. Dak. 58102 1240 East 9th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44199 Knott Building 21 East Fourth Street Dayton, Ohio 45402 American General Building 210 NW. Sixth Street Oklahoma City, Okla. 73102 319 SW. Pine Street Portland, Oreg. 97204 128 North Broad Street Philadelphia, Pa. 19102 Federal Building 1000 Liberty Avenue Pittsburgh, Pa. 15222 Federal Building and Post Office Kennedy Plaza Providence, R.I. 02903 Federal Office Building 334 Meeting Street Charleston, S.C. 29403 Dusek Building 919 Main Street Rapid City, S. Dak. 57701 Federal Office Building 167 North Main Street Memphis, Tenn. 38103 1114 Commerce Street Dallas, Tex. 75202 El Paso National Bank Building 41 1 North Stanton Street El Paso, Tex. 79901 702 Caroline Street Houston, Tex. 77002 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse 615 East Houston Street San Antonio, Tex. 78205 Federal Building Annex 135 South State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84111 Federal Building Elmwood Avenue and Pearl Street Burlington, Vt. 05401 Rotunda Building 415 St. Paul Boulevard Norfolk, Va. 23510 Federal Office Building First Avenue and Madison Street Seattle, Wash. 98104 Federal Building 500 Quarrier Street Charleston, W. Va. 25301 161 West Wisconsin Avenue Room 215 Milwaukee, Wis 53203 2005 Warren Avenue Cheyenne, Wyo. 82001 255 Ponce de Leon Avenue San Juan, P.R. 00917 Civil Service Commission Building 1900 E Street NW. Washington, D. C. 20415 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price 10 cents 14 •U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1967 O — 267-063 UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 081 35 064 6