When you are interested in applying for a Technician Vacancy Announcement, you should carefully review the announcement prior to completing your application. Several items on the announcement that are of particular importance are:

• Application: SF171, OF612, Resume, etc.
• Vacancy Announcement Number: This number is located at the top right of the announcement. It should not be confused with the position description control number (PDCN) listed with the position title.
• Closing Date: The closing date is the date that all applications should be received.  However, applications may be considered if postmarked by the closing date and received prior to issuance of certificate.
• Employment Status: The National Guard Technician Employment Program consists of two types of Federal Civil Service positions.
• Excepted Service positions require military membership in the North Carolina Army/Air National Guard as a condition of employment.
• Excepted service technicians wear the appropriate military uniform.
• Competitive Service positions do not require military membership.
• Competitive technicians serve under a Career or Career-Conditional Appointment.
• Who Can Apply: The area of consideration may be restricted to current NCNG Technicians Only or may be open to State of North Carolina.
• Qualification Requirement: The information you supply on your application is compared against the qualifications required for the technician position.

The most common mistakes made when completing an application could be avoided if applicants would review the vacancy announcement more closely before submitting their application.  Examples of common mistakes are:

• Omitting the Vacancy Announcement Number
• Not complying with the Area of Consideration
• Failure to include military experience (National Guard or prior Active Service)
• Insufficient description of duties and responsibilities
• Failure to submit the required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) Statement

The information on your application can make a difference between you being rated eligible or ineligible for the position.  It is important that your application be accurate, neat and carefully completed.  It takes time and effort to produce a quality application that fully represents your experience and qualifications.  It is recommended that you prepare a quality original to keep for yourself and submit a copy for the announcement for which you wish to apply.  Remember to revise your application as you accumulate additional experience, knowledge and skills.

The most important part of the application is listing your job experience.  The experience you list is used to determine your qualifications.  It is important to give a complete and detailed description of your specific duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments for each position held.  Be thorough and you will avoid problems and delays.  The person evaluating your application cannot assume you performed duties in a particular job.

Before you begin to prepare your description of duties, ask yourself these few simple questions:

• What were my exact duties?
• What were my exact responsibilities?
• Did I perform duties on my own initiative, without guidance?
• What did I accomplish and how did I go about it?
• Did I personally create or establish a procedure that was used or did I improve an old one?

The answers should reflect the actual work you performed in your position and should help in completing your job experience.  Do not copy from past job descriptions.  Use your own words as completely and concisely as possible to describe your work experience.  Do not use abbreviations and acronyms that are not commonly known.  Do not submit letters of recommendation or achievement.  While it is important that you provide as much information about your qualifications as possible, it is equally important to keep your application free of unnecessary materials.

Education and training should be included on your application.  Some positions require a certain level of education or training while others may allow for the substitution of education for experience.  Make sure that all of the information provided regarded your education is accurate, complete, and up-to-date.  A college transcript may be submitted to verify courses.  However, do not include copies of Certificates of Training unless specifically requested in the vacancy announcement.

If additional space is required to complete any item on the application, you may use a blank sheet of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper.  Remember to include all information requested on the application for a particular item. Include you name and the announcement number at the top of each page.

Remember, the overall impression your application makes is very important.  The application represents you. It’s worth your time to complete it properly.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA) Statement

1. A KSA statement is required to be submitted with the application.  Failure to submit a KSA statement will result in your application not being considered for the position.
2. Address each KSA individually in paragraph format.
3. The KSA statement cannot stand alone.  Work experience entered on the KSA statement must match work experience entered on the application.

Example of KSA:

KSA #1:
a. Civilian experience: Enter when, where, job title, Complete description of work experience that provided that KSA.
b. Active duty experience: Enter when, where, job title, complete description of work experience that provided that KSA.
c. National Guard M-Day experience: Enter when, where, job title, complete description of work experience that provided that KSA.

REMAINING KSA’S: (Use the same format)

Point of contact for technician vacancies:
CW2 Melissa Torbert at 919-664-6172 or Lori Silver at 919-664-6431

All applications for technician vacancy announcements should be mailed to:
OTAGNC-HRO \
Attn.: Staffing
4105 Reedy Creek RoadRaleighNC 27607-6410.