For federal employees facing job displacement, understanding available Career Transition Programs is crucial. The U.S. government offers resources like the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) and the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP) to provide priority selection in the hiring process, helping these employees secure new positions within the federal sector. These programs are specifically designed to support surplus or displaced federal workers as they navigate their career transition.
Understanding the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)
The Career Transition Assistance Plan, or CTAP, is an intra-agency program focused on assisting federal employees whose positions are being eliminated or who are facing a Reduction in Force (RIF). If you’ve received official notice that your job is no longer necessary or will be eliminated through RIF, CTAP offers a significant advantage in your job search within your current agency.
To be eligible for CTAP, you must:
- Be a current federal employee meeting the definition of a surplus or displaced employee. This means you have received formal notification that your position is surplus or will be eliminated due to RIF.
- Be applying for a position within your current federal agency that is accepting applications from both internal and external candidates.
- Meet all the required qualifications and standards for the position you are applying for.
Each federal agency administers its own CTAP, which may include specific details about their transition policies. It is essential to contact your agency’s Human Resources department to obtain agency-specific information and guidance on utilizing CTAP during your career transition.
Exploring the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)
The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan, known as ICTAP, expands the support for displaced federal employees to opportunities across different federal agencies. ICTAP is an interagency program that provides selection priority for surplus or displaced federal employees seeking jobs in other federal agencies, outside of their current or former agency. This program significantly broadens the scope of job opportunities available during a career transition.
Eligibility for ICTAP includes the following criteria:
- You must be a current federal employee who qualifies as surplus or displaced, having received official notice of job elimination or impending RIF separation.
- The agency you are applying to must be accepting applications from individuals outside of their existing workforce.
- The position you are applying for must be within the local commuting area of your current location.
- You must meet the necessary qualifications and requirements for the position you seek.
For example, consider a scenario where a Department of Defense employee receives a RIF notice. Under ICTAP, this employee can apply for a competitive service position within the local commuting area at an entirely different agency, such as the Department of Education, leveraging their selection priority.
For detailed information regarding CTAP and ICTAP, and to fully understand how these career transition programs can assist you, it’s recommended to consult your Human Resources office and explore resources provided by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Learn more about CTAP (OPM)
