AG Bell Meets with White House Personnel Staff
On Thursday, January 29, AG Bell Public Affairs Council Chair, John Stanton, and Director of Communications and Public Affairs, Catherine Murphy, attended a White House briefing on the presidential appointments process. Members of the White House staff who attended the meeting include the Director of Priority Placement, Mark Perriello, Deputy Director for Presidential Personnel, Jonathan McBride, and Special Assistant to the President, Kareem Dale. Representatives from other hearing loss advocacy organizations were also present. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss ways to encourage individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing to apply for presidential appointments as well as for other Federal employment opportunities.
White House staff offered the following tips for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing who are interested in presidential appointments:
- Research the types of positions available by checking the official directory of presidentially appointed positions within the Federal government, commonly known as the “Plum Book.” If you want to cross-check specific positions to check the status, click here to visit the White House nominations and appointments update page.
- Submit an application through the White House Web site. Proactively identify yourself as an applicant who is deaf or hard of hearing and provide information that might help “tell your story.” Please note that if you want the consideration of the diversity team of the White House personnel staff, you must identify yourself as being deaf or hard of hearing.
- Include letters of recommendation from elected officials such as members of Congress, Governors or state-level office holders with your resume.
- If you are active in state or national advocacy or nonprofit organizations or coalitions, obtain letters of recommendation from those groups. Demonstrated support from a cross-section of communities will help in the application process.
- For high level appointments, include a thorough and exhaustive description of the scope of experience you have in managing budgets, teams, diversity of experience, etc., to best indicate your ability to meet the qualifications of the position.
- If you know people within the agency you are seeking appointment, let them know you are pursuing an appointment.
White House staff also recommends that individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing and interested in working for the Federal government, but don’t yet have the experience necessary to apply for a presidential appointment, to please visit the http://www.usajobs.gov Web site to learn more about mid-level positions available in various Federal agencies. Again, self-identify as a person who is deaf or hard of hearing.
For college students and young professionals, please check www.usajobs.gov for internship or entry-level opportunities within the Federal government. For information about internship opportunities specifically at the White House, click here. Young professionals can learn more about the White House Fellows program by clicking here.
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