GETTING STARTED: Review. Gather. Prepare.
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO FEDERAL POLITICAL APPOINTMENTS
Working with our expert subject matter task forces, the Coalition will present a list of recommended candidates to the Biden-Harris Transition Team and meet with members of the Team and new administration to advocate for women appointees.
The Coalition supports President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris and their administration’s commitment to gender parity.
We believe at least 50% of key federal political appointments should be awarded to women with a focus on diversity and inclusion of historically underrepresented groups including women of color, LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities.
We are seeking women with a mix of the following qualifications:
- Recognized specialized skills in a particular area (e.g. economics, health, foreign affairs)
- Senior-level professional experience
- Currently in a senior position in government, the non-profit or private sector, or a university
- Publicly recognized as a leader in the field of consideration
- Demonstrated leadership in promoting an agenda for women’s advancement and rights
- Requisite overseas experience and language skills for foreign affairs positions
While it is not required that a candidate has been active in the political party which assumes control of the White House, history has shown that such involvement is a significant factor for candidates. We believe that it is in the nation’s interest for women to participate in greater numbers in our government, and invite women from any political party who supports our values and criteria to apply.
Women who are interested should prepare the Biographical and Political Sketch and submit their resume to our digital registry.
Candidates are encouraged to limit their submissions to four pages and emphasize their political work.
Our undertaking will operate with the cooperation of the list of participating organizations, each working with issue-specific Task Forces. In an effort to be both fair and consistent, each issue Task Force will begin by reviewing the four page candidate submissions. Full resumes may be requested later.
Candidates should be aware that the Project does not guarantee that all submissions will be forwarded.
By joining our effort, you will be connecting qualified women with a Project that is working to ensure that women have opportunities to affect the policies and priorities of this new administration.
CRITERIA & VALUES
To be considered for recommendation through the Coalition for Women's Appointments, all applicants must show a demonstrated commitment to the equality of women, including but not limited to:
Support the Biden-Harris administration's goals of gender parity with least 50% of key federal political appointments awarded to women with a focus on diversity and inclusion of historically underrepresented groups including women of color, LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities.
Support for women’s advancement as leaders in every sector, representing the diversity of the American population.
Support for the Equal Rights Amendment and pay equity.
Support for the advancement of women in all professions.
Support for women and girls’ educational opportunity.
Support for women’s access to health care including reproductive health care and support of a woman’s right to choose.
Commitment to the elimination of sexual harassment and violence against women, and advocating for social justice and human rights for all.
STEP ONE: IDENTIFY YOUR SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
QUESTIONS TO ASK
Researching and understanding how you could best serve in an appointed political position is the best place to start. According to Ed Moy with the Center for Presidential Transition, the key questions to first ask yourself are:
- What substantive (e.g. education, agriculture, diplomacy, energy) and functional (e.g. public affairs, legal, running programs, budget) expertise do you have?
- How does that translate into specific departments, agencies and positions?
- What level (Schedule C, Senior Executive Service, presidential appointment, presidential appointment with Senate confirmation) is appropriate for you?
LIST OF APPOINTMENT TYPES:
PAS: Position subject to presidential appointment with Senate confirmation
PA: Positions subject to presidential appointment without Senate confirmation
GEN: Positions designated as Senior Executive Service “general” (These positions can be used to select either career or noncareer individuals.)
NA: Senior Executive Service general positions filled by noncareer appointment (General SES positions which were used by the Obama Administration to appoint noncareer individuals.)
TA: Senior Executive Service positions filled by limited emergency or limited term appointment
SC: Positions filled by Schedule C excepted appointment
XS: Positions subject to statutory excepted appointment
Below are online databases for researching potential positions within various departments and agencies and a downloadable PDF of the 2020 PLUM BOOK published by the Government Publishing Office, to help you with your research.
FUNCTIONAL AREAS:
- Chief Scientists
- Financial Management and Budget
- Human Capital/Human Resources Information Technology
- Legal Affairs
- Legislative Affairs Management & Administrative Positions
- Policy/Regulatory
- Public Affairs/Communications
POLICY AREAS:
- Agriculture
- Alternative Energy
- Banking/Financial Regulation
- Budget
- Civil Rights & Liberties
- Commerce
- Consumer Protection
- Criminal Justice/Justice
- Defense
- Disability Rights
- Economy
- Education
- Energy/Natural Resources
- Environment
- Ethics and Lobbying Reform
- Foreign Policy
- Gender Equity
- Government Operations/Innovation
- Health Care
- Homeland Security
- Housing
- Immigration
- Indian Affairs
- Infrastructure
- International Aid and Development
- Labor
- National Security
- Pensions
- Poverty
- Science
- Small Business
- Social Entrepreneurship
- Social Security
- Taxes
- Technology
- Trade
- Transportation
- Urban Affairs
- Veterans Affairs
- Women's Rights
STEP TWO: USING THE PLUM BOOK TO IDENTIFY POSITIONS
For descriptions and types of Political Appointments, please review the PLUM BOOK (2020) to find the appointment being sought and the detailed description.
ONLINE LINK: PLUM BOOK (2020)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Review the Plum Book Legend for title, type of position and pay grade.
REVIEW: LEGEND FOR TYPE OF APPOINTMENT - PDF
2. Find the Department or Agency you are interested in
RESOURCE: FULL INDEX LISTING TABLE OF CONTENTS
3. Review the list of positions by Department or Agency
STEP TWO: SEARCH FEDERAL RESOURCES
FINDING YOUR FEDERAL JOB LEVEL, POSITION & DESCRIPTION
Approximately 1,200 positions require Senate confirmation
Top-level senior positions such as agency heads and top deputies, general counsels, U.S. attorneys, and most U.S. ambassadors.
Approximately 2300 positions not requiring Senate confirmation.
A wide range of positions such as senior-level agency managers, White House advisors, legislative and public affairs staff, special assistants and some part-time members of boards and commissions.
United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions (Plum Book), 2020
Every four years, just after the Presidential election, the United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions, commonly known as the Plum Book, is published, alternately, by the Senate and the House. The Plum Book is used to identify presidentially appointed positions within the Federal Government.
FEDERAL POSITIONS: CENTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
The federal position descriptions provide important information such as the primary responsibility of the Senate confirmed positions across government agencies. See a full listing and description at the Center for Presidential Transition
A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies
Below is a link to USA.GOV's A-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies. Find contact information for U.S. federal government departments and agencies including websites, emails, phone numbers, addresses, and more.
JOBS: U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM.gov)
Although the Coalition for Women's Appointments doesn't make recommendations for federal job seekers, those interested can research general Federal Job listings. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) serves as the chief human resources agency and personnel policy manager for the Federal Government. OPM provides human resources leadership and support to Federal agencies and helps the Federal workforce achieve their aspirations as they serve the American people. OPM directs human resources and employee management services, administers retirement benefits, manages healthcare and insurance programs, oversees merit-based and inclusive hiring into the civil service, and provides a secure employment process. http://www.opm.gov
STEP THREE: TAKE THE READINESS ASSESSMENT
READY TO SERVE? REVIEW OF CRITERIA DEVELOPED BY THE CENTER FOR PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
The following criteria was developed by Ready to Serve and the Presidential Transition project:
"Serving as a presidential appointee is an honor. You will have the opportunity to serve your country and work on some of the most important issues of the day. You will also gain experience working with career public servants, talented and committed people in the administration, Congress and others. However, it is also a major life decision and comes with responsibilities. Here are questions to help you assess if this is a good fit for you at this time in your career."
READINESS
- Am I committed to public service?
- Am I prepared to take an oath to uphold the Constitution and put the interests of the American people above my own?
- Am I ready to represent the values, vision and policies of the president?
- Am I comfortable being in a position serving at the pleasure of the president?
- Am I prepared to persist through a rigorous selection process?
PERSONAL
- Do I have the level of integrity needed to become a steward of the public trust?
- Am I qualified for the role?
- Am I committed to handling the workload?
- Am I prepared to deal with the scrutiny of being a public official, with elements of my private life shared with the public?
FAMILY
- How can my family support me during my service?
- Will my family be subjected to unwanted scrutiny?
- Am I prepared to disclose financial and employment information about my spouse and dependent children?
- Will my spouse’s current job pose a conflict of interest with my government role?
- What issues should I consider regarding relocation? (costs, temporary separation from family)
PRE AND POST SERVICE OBLIGATIONS
- Am I prepared to commit to the ethics restrictions that will apply to my government role?
- How will these restrictions impact my future employment opportunities? Will they temporarily preclude me for a time from advising clients in my area of expertise, lobbying, working for a contractor or being employed overseas?
- How will these restrictions impact my future earning potential?
TEAM
- Who will I work for? Who else will I have the opportunity to work with?
- What happens if my boss leaves?
- Can I bring my own team to the organization, such as a chief of staff or public affairs person?
FINANCIAL
- Am I satisfied with the compensation of a federal employee?
- Would I be comfortable divesting any of my assets to avoid a conflicts of interest?
- If I have complicated financial holdings, can I afford or am I willing to pay for the costs of serving, such as hiring an attorney or an accountant to navigate the vetting process?
BENEFIT
- What will serving my country mean to me personally?
- What skills and experience will I gain by serving in the administration?
- What do people in my position typically do after their public service?
- What will I learn through this experience?
