Understanding WRP and Pathways. ● Background ● How the WRP Works ● Pathways ● WRP and...
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Transcript of Understanding WRP and Pathways. ● Background ● How the WRP Works ● Pathways ● WRP and...
Understanding WRP and Pathways
● Background
● How the WRP Works
● Pathways
● WRP and Pathways
● Schedule A Appointing Authority
● Best Practices
● WRP Website
● Conclusion
Webinar Topics
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● Started in the 1970s by the Department of Navy.
● Expanded in 1995 by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.
● Now managed jointly by DoD’s Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) and the Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP).
● The WRP:– Is a free recruitment and referral program
– Connects employers with highly motivated postsecondary students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities
– Is a great tool to address low participation rate
– May be utilized to fill temporary and permanent needs
WRP Background
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● October/November: 100+ federal recruiters interview candidates at over 270 college campuses
● Recruiters rate applicants on a scale of 1-5 in four areas:– Communication
– Direction
– Maturity
– Experience
● Each candidate also receives an “overall” rating
– Must receive a 3 or higher to be included in the WRP database
● In addition to ratings, the WRP database contains contact info, degree, major, GPA, location preference, interview notes, resume, transcripts, and potential accommodation needs
How the Program Works
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● Pool of candidates available nationwide and in a wide variety of career fields (100+ majors)
● College Disability Services Office/Career Center confirms and helps recruit and prepare candidates
● Database is opened to all registered employers nationwide in early December and is active for one year
● Employers use the site to hire candidates for summer/temp or permanent positions throughout the year
● Support from Computer/Electronic Accommodations Program (CAP) for summer hires
How the Program Works
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For WRP 2013:
●Over 115 recruiters from 20 Federal agencies
●More than 270 college campuses
●2,900 candidates, including undergrad, graduate and law were accepted into database
●Over 600 total hiring actions for 2012 (as of February 11, 2013) in more than 20 agencies world-wide, mostly summer positions, with over 42 permanent hires
Valuable Information on the WRP
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● Streamlined programs for students and recent graduates to get started in the Federal workforce and for Federal agencies to recruit, hire, develop and retain these individuals
● Executive Order 13562– Establishes a Pathways framework with three clear program
paths:• Internship Program
• Recent Graduates Program
• Presidential Management Fellows Program
Pathways Programs
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● Pathways should not prevent you from hiring WRP candidates.
● Hiring diverse candidates should be part of your agency’s strategic hiring plan.
● Generally speaking, when a hiring manager wants to hire an intern or recent graduate, they have two options for hiring authorities- Schedule A for People with Disabilities or the Schedule D Pathways Program. In both cases, they can use the WRP database to identify qualified candidates for their applicant pools. Here is how!
WRP and Pathways
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SCHEDULE A
If hiring managers want to use the Schedule A hiring authority to hire a person with a disability, they can recruit directly from the WRP database without having to publically post the position. The agency or hiring manager would: A.Search the WRP database for qualified candidates and contact them directly with job opportunities. B.Once an eligible candidate is identified, follow the Schedule A regulations (5 CFR 213.3102(u) and provision in 5 CRF part 302).C.Approximately 70% of WRP candidates currently self-identify as Schedule A eligible.
SCHEDULE D
If hiring managers use the Schedule D hiring authority, they can still use the WRP database to recruit qualified candidates. The agency or hiring manger would: A.Publically post the position and follow all Schedule D regulations (5 CFR 213.3402 and provision in 5 CRF part 302). B.Search the WRP database as a means of targeted outreach and contact qualified candidates, encouraging them to apply via USAJOBS for the publically posted position.
WRP and Pathways
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● Eligible applicants with a disability who meet the qualification requirements for the position may be hired under a special hiring authority, Schedule A
● Noncompetitively appoint and convert
– “persons with intellectual disabilities, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities”
● [5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u). For conversion, see 5 C.F.R. 315.709]
● Permanent, temporary, or time limited appointments
● Excepted Service
● Posting not required
● Must meet qualifications
Schedule A Appointing Authority
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● Statement of Job Readiness is NOT required
● Schedule A is not limited to individuals who have targeted disabilities
● Not all candidates with disabilities choose to self-identify as Schedule A eligible
● Expectations of work performance same
● Must accommodate, if necessary
● Documentation to support placement
● Tips:
– The authority is written broadly, don’t limit yourself
– You can search for candidates who self-identify as Schedule A eligible in the WRP database
Schedule A Appointing Authority
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● The Schedule A documentation comes from:
– A licensed medical professional (including
psychologists),
– A vocational rehabilitation specialist, or
– Any Federal or state agency that issues or provides
disability benefits
● Schedule A letters should not include specific details
about a candidate’s disability.
Schedule A Documentation
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● Search the WRP website for Schedule A appointments first, then move to Pathways
● Strong support from upper management helps
● Consider central funding for WRP hires in keeping with your agency’s strategy for other summer student programs
– DoD, State Dept, FDIC, and the VA have central funding
● Promote the WRP along with other employment programs
● Plan for summer hires well in advance, keeping in mind the December release date; set aside slots if necessary
Best Practices
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● Seek out managers who would benefit from staff support in the summer or those who you know will be filling permanent positions
● Plan participants strategically
● Search the database EARLY - the good ones will go fast!
● Communicate success stories throughout the agency
● Treat all interns as interns, esp. when it comes to development opportunities you agency is putting together for Pathways (or other program) interns
Best Practices
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● Register as an employer user by going to www.wrp.gov and click on “Register Now” in the top left-hand corner of the page
● Login to the WRP website using the username and temporary password that comes from [email protected]
● Go to the Employers’ Tool page and select “Search Student Database.”
● * New feature- You can now search for keywords in the candidates’ resumes as well as in the interview notes section
Getting Started
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● WRP websites: https://wrp.gov and www.dol.gov/odep/wrp
● ODEP website: www.dol.gov/odep
● ODMEO website: http://diversity.defense.gov/
● ODMEO is also on Facebook and Twitter:– https://www.facebook.com/#!/Diversitydefense
– https://twitter.com/#!/ODMEO
● Information about Pathways: – www.opm.gov/hiringreform/pathways
● Email WRP questions at: [email protected]
For More Information…
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Thank you for your attention and good luck searching!
Closing
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