Apply for a Career
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) offers a range of career opportunities. Visit the Explore section of this site to learn about the various types of careers available.
How to Apply
The announcement on USAJOBS.gov will provide a description, the required qualifications, and evaluation process for the position. It will also provide unique directions for each position.
- Review the “How To Apply” Section Carefully
Any unique application instructions will be found in this section of the job announcement. Make sure to follow all steps listed here during the application process.
- Gather Required Documents
Some positions may require documents such as transcripts or Veterans’ Preference documentation. Gathering these documents beforehand will help expedite the application process.
- Review the Conditions of Employment
- Submit Your Application on Time
Many positions have firm submission dates. Be sure to submit your materials on time to ensure that your application is eligible for review.
To begin the application process, you will first need to create a USAJOBS account profile.
Your resume should provide enough information to enable an employer to understand who you are, where you can be reached, what kind of work you’ve done, why you’re qualified for the position, and whether you meet the legal requirements of Federal employment.
Include Job-Specific Content
In addition to standard contact information, your federal resume should include:
- The job announcement number, job title, and job grade for the position
- Your full name, mailing address, phone numbers, and email address
- Any special hiring authorities (e.g., Veterans, Persons with Disabilities)
Expound On Your Experience
Unlike private sector resumes, federal resumes may run between two and five pages in length or longer in order to adequately reflect your qualifications for the job.
Your resume will be used to corroborate your responses to the questions and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) presented during the application process.
When applying for a position, carefully review the job announcement before crafting the experience section(s) on your resume.
Use Language Similar to the Job Announcement
When explaining your experience, mirror the language used in the qualifications required section.
For example, if a required qualification is “must be proficient in Microsoft Excel,” don’t write “Experienced using spreadsheet software.”
Federal hiring specialists are required to assess applications fairly. Using language similar to that in the job announcement prevents ambiguity in your responses and increases the likelihood that your application will be considered.
Click the "Apply Online" link in the job announcement.
The OCC application process begins with the vacancy announcement on USAJOBS.gov and then automatically redirects to the OCC’s CareerConnector website to complete the application submission.
If this is your first time on the OCC's CareerConnector website, you will be prompted to create an “Applicant Profile” by providing personal information, military service and veterans’ preference data.
Click "Apply to this Vacancy." You will be prompted to answer questions related to:
- Your eligibility for federal employment
- Series, grade, and location preferences
- Vacancy specific questions
- Demographic information
You must submit applicable documents (e.g., transcripts, veterans' preference documents, etc.) via upload from your computer, USAJOBS, or fax by the closing date.
Document Upload
Once you finish answering the questions in the job announcement, you will be prompted to upload your document(s) to your application.
You may do so in one of two ways:
- Upload the document(s) as part of the application process.
- Upload the document (s) to an existing application.
- Log into your USAJOBS account profile
- Click “Application Status" to display a list of vacancies
- Select the vacancy link and click "Update Application"
- Move through your existing application to the Documents page
- Select the appropriate action to add a document to your application
- Review your completed application for confirmation that the document uploaded
Fax
Print a fax cover sheet in CareerConnector by following the “Fax Instructions.” The fax number will be provided on the cover sheet.
Review Your Application
Once you have answered all questions, click the "Next" button to continue to the Application Review page to review your information and make any necessary changes.
Save a Copy of Your Application
When contacting the agency or if you’re asked to interview, having a completed application to reference is helpful. Make note of the job announcement number and the HR contact information should you need to contact the agency in the future.
Submit Application
Click the "Submit Application" button at the bottom of the page to complete the application process. CareerConnector will automatically display a message confirming your application was submitted successfully.
Conditions of OCC Employment
Please note that there may be additional conditions of OCC employment listed in individual job announcements.
Term-Limited Positions
- Applicants selected for a 10 year term limited position will be required to sign an Agreement for Term-Limited Position that details conditions.
Rotational Agreement for Bargaining Unit Positions
Rotational Agreement for Non-Bargaining Unit Positions
Regarding Ethics and Conflicts of Interest
- Review the applicable ethics laws and regulations prior to applying.
- If you are currently employed by a national bank or a federal savings association or any other private organization, you will be recused for a period of time from matters affecting your former employer once you join the OCC.
- The OCC ethics standards generally prohibit employees, their spouses, and minor children from owning securities, such as stock, of banks or savings associations or their affiliates, such as bank holding companies and savings and loan holding companies. You will be required to divest such securities if you accept an appointment at the OCC. If you have unusual circumstances and cannot readily divest prohibited securities, you should discuss this with an OCC ethics official. Your OCC recruiter can provide you contact information for an OCC ethics official.
Personal Identity Verification (PIV)
- You will be required to go through a Personal Identity Verification (PIV) process that requires two forms of identification from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
- The documentation that you present will be verified through the DHS “E-Verify” System. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires, and as a condition of continued employment obligates the new hire to take affirmative steps to resolve any discrepancies identified by the system. The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency is an E-Verify participant.
Review of Employment History
- It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual.
- Information about an individual's employment experience will be used only to determine the person's qualifications and to assess his or her relative level of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency requires pre-employment reference checks to verify information provided within a candidate’s application and/or interview; gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. To receive further consideration, you will be required to provide at least three professional and/or academic references for the OCC to contact, one of which being your current supervisor.
- If you are selected, the OCC may conduct employment verification via a third-party vendor to confirm current/past employment and the accuracy of your application package. You will be asked to provide contact information for three points of contact spanning the previous 10 years of employment history (or the entirety of your employment history if less than 10 years). If the OCC is unable to verify employment, this may be grounds for not proceeding in the hiring process.
- If you are selected for this position, the OCC may require you to provide financial documents to verify your current salary and/or current place of employment. (W-2, 1099, paystub etc.)
- Although an individual's personal conduct may be relevant in any employment decision, including conduct during periods of unemployment or evidence of dishonesty in handling financial matters, financial difficulty that has arisen through no fault of the individual will generally not itself be the basis of an unfavorable suitability or fitness determination.