Government jobs for felons are an option and it may surprise you to know that being an ex-felon does not automatically disqualify you for federal employment. According to the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM), there is no general prohibition against hiring felons. Just as with many other jobs out there, you just have to prove you are worthy of federal employment for felons.
Although there is no general ban on hiring felons, there are specific regulations that may apply depending on the type of job and the type of felony. To give an example, people who have been convicted of domestic violence crimes may be prohibited from “employment in any position requiring the individual: to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunition.”
When you are applying for a job, the OPM will determine your eligibility on a case to case basis. The factors that are relevant to getting a government job are the:
• duties of the position you applied for
• nature of the felony
• how recent the crime
• evidence of rehabilitation
Employers, the OPM among them, believe that the best way to predict future job performance is to look at past work performance. Assuming that you are not barred by law from the particular job that you want, having a good resume with a solid work history is the key to getting a government job.
Don’t be afraid of getting rejected right away when you apply for a job and be honest about your record. The Office of Personal Management always does background checks so it is best to be upfront about your past. Try to emphasize your skills and strengths instead of your criminal history.
For many, federal jobs offer benefits and job security that are unrivaled by any other employer in the US. Federal employees enjoy the following:
• job security
• annual pay increase
• 10 paid holidays a year
• health insurance
• life insurance
• retirement benefits
• paid vacation & sick days
• family-friendly policies
Government jobs for felons are available. It may be tough to compete with applicants who have a clean record but tough is not the same as impossible. If there is a federal job opening that you think you are qualified to fill, go ahead and apply as soon as you can. You won’t lose anything but time and you might be able to land secure employment in government jobs for felons.