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( - 'A 'ftt A O i . l ryL 1 WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDER A GOVERNMENT CAREER 1. Because appointment and advancement depend on ability.-All qualified applicants receive considera- tion for appointment without regard to sex, race, re- ligion, color, national origin, politics, or any other nonmerit factor. The same principles of equal em- ployment opportunity apply after appointment. 2. Because skilled women are given a better chance to prove themselves.-Women have the chance to work in practically every occupation open to men in the Federal service. Their skills in particular fields and their aptitude for certain work mean that more women than men are hired to fill some jobs. 3. Because there's room to grow.-The Government is the largest employer in the United States. Its work requires hundreds of different skills. The large number of jobs, and the opportunity to transfer from one agency to another, assures maximum oppor- tunity for advancement. 4. Because the Government is a good boss.-Federal career workers receive excellent "fringe" benefits, sick leave, life insurance, health insurance and retire- ment benefits, and opportunities for career advance- ment through training. 5. Because you'll work with stimulating people.-The issues of today are the reason for Government's need of so many intelligent and responsible people. As a Government worker you'll have a part in many of this country's achievements and be associated with men and women as interesting as their jobs. 6. Because the Federal merit system lets you enjoy "the best of both worlds."-After 3 years of satis- factory Government service, the Government worker has "career status." Should a woman find it neces- sary to leave her job and devote herself to her home, her career status will help her if she later decides to return to Government work. She may qualify for a Federal assignment without competing in an examination. FEDERAL : /- CAREERS FOR WOMEN s 1 Anyone who still thinks that all Government career women are girl-Friday types in Washington offices is in for a big surprise. Women in Federal service have rung the bell in every occupation from astrophysics to zoology. From tropical shores to arctic snows, in all parts of our country and in virtually all parts of the world, women are distinguishing themselves-some providing indis- pensable support to leaders of vital Government pro- grams, others as experts in their own right. Some of them work in occupations traditionally thought of as woman's special fields, but a great many are in fields still generally regarded as man's exclusive province. About 605,000 women are employed by the Federal Government. Between 1959 and 1962, women in Fed- eral white-collar jobs increased by about 41,000, notably in the fields of general office work, supply, law, educa- tion, personnel, and accounting and fiscal positions. Women predominate today in several occupations, and in some bureaus of Federal agencies. They outnumber men in four broad occupational groups: general office work, personnel administration, mathematics and statis- tics, and library and archives. There are also more women than men working as nurses, dietitians, and social workers. Sizable numbers are employed in accounting and budget, and postal work. In the Children's Bureau of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, in the Women's Bureau of the Department of Labor, and in two divisions of the Department of Agriculture- Human Nutrition Research and Household Economics Research-many women workers are concentrated. A CENTURY OF PROGRESS The history of women's progress in Government em- ployment is a story of slow but steady advancement. Al- though there were a few women postmasters appointed before 1800, the employment of women by the Govern- ment was generally looked upon with great disfavor until after the Civil War. Not only was it rather widely as- sumed that office work was beyond Delicate Woman's physical or mental capacities, the mere presence of women in public offices was regarded by many as a gross affront to propriety. Beginning in 1862 the Treasury Department pioneered in the employment of women. "Female clerks," de- clared their supervisor emphatically, "are more diligent and efficient than males!" Following the success of the Treasury experiment, a small number of "lady clerks" gained a foothold in other departments. For a long time, however, women were hired primarily as an econ- omy measure-they were usually paid about half as much as men doing the same work. The Civil Service Act of 1883 marked the real turning point in Government careers for women. The merit system established by that Act made it possible for them to compete for appointment on equal terms with men- and they did. A young woman, a' graduate of Vassar, was the second person to be appointed from a civil-serv- ice examination. Prejudice against them was broken down little by little, not by any theoretical considerations of abstract justice but by the performance of the women themselves on the job. P'` r /5- World War I greatly increased their numbers and gave them a chance to prove their ability in a variety of occupa- tions, although postwar reduction of the Government work force showed that their permanent gains were largely in clerical fields. With the Classification Act of 1923, which established the principle of equal pay for equal work, women at last gained equality with men on the payroll. The manpower demands of World War II finally opened the doors of all professional, technical, and ad- ministrative fields to women-and they have kept those doors open ever since by their own efforts and achieve- ments. They are now found in four-fifths of all the occupations in the Federal Government. NEW GAINS IN SIGHT z President John F. Kennedy established the President's Commission on the Status of Women with the issuance of Executive Order 10980 on December 14, 1961. He assigned it the task of developing recommendations to assure nondiscrimination on the basis of sex and to en- hance constructive employment opportunities for women in Government and private employment. It was also asked for recommendations for services which would al- low women to continue their roles as wives and mothers while making a maximum contribution to the world around them. The Civil Service Commission worked closely with the President's Commission on the Status of Women to identify employment practices that work against women in their attempts to be appointed to Federal positions and to advance on the basis of merit alone. In 1962, acting under new authority, the Civil Service Commission put an end to the traditional practice of barring women from consideration for many positions. The new rules direct that no training opportunity or position shall be denied any person on the basis of sex, except in unusual situations found justified by the Commission. Evaluation of a person's experience, skills, and physical requirements is recognized as the only valid yardstick in determining a person's fitness for appointment and advancement. Both Commissions have had common goals: to provide equality of opportunity for appointment and advance- ment and to identify inequitable and discriminatory prac- tices in employment. The President's Commission made its final report to the President in October 1963, stating that the Federal Government can become a showcase for equal employ- ment opportunity without discrimination of any kind and noting that action on its recommendations took place so rapidly that the report became "an account of progress made." Soon after the President's Commission on the Status of Women submitted its report, the President established an Interdepartmental Committee on the Status of Women and a Citizens' Advisory Council on the Status of Women to assure the full participation of women in American life. The Committee is to transmit annually to the President a consolidated report on the activities of the two groups. President Johnson has made it clear that he is deter- mined to enlist women in his administration. He has said, "I am insisting that women play a larger role in this Government's plans and programs." The President also said, "It will be a continuing aim not because it is politic, but because it is sound." With this long-range goal of having women participate more in the important work of the Government, the Federal Government is engaged in an intensive talent search for womanpower. It is urging women to make their qualifi- cations known so that they may be considered when filling Government positions of all kinds. Because of the distinguished work of the President's Commission and active leadership in the executive branch, there are signs that the customs preventing women from realizing their full potential are gradually disappearing. Above all, women themselves are prov- ing by their day-to-day achievements that equal ability must be rewarded by equal opportunity to succeed- ".. because it is sound." THEIR FEDERAL WOMAN'S r : AWARD - The achievements of women in Government have helped to make the Federal career service what it is today-a fine example of people working together for the Nation's progress. Their contributions have been felt since those first "lady clerks" appeared on the Fed- eral scene in the 1800's. The distinction with which they have served has made possible many of the advances by which modern America defends itself and guards its welfare. Yet, public recognition has been slow in de- veloping, and the tributes due women in Government have frequently failed to materialize. To spotlight the accomplishments of top-caliber career women in the Federal service, a special award for them was established in 1960. The Federal Woman's Award has three major pur- poses: to provide well-deserved public recognition to the recipients and new incentive to others, to highlight the important work that women are doing in executive, pro- fessional, scientific, and technical positions, and to stimu- late the recruitment of talented and ambitious young women who might not otherwise know of the many fine career opportunities offered by the Federal service throughout the United States and abroad. From the thousands of women in professional, ad- ministrative, and technical positions who serve with dis- tinction, Federal administrators each year make up to three nominations, from their agencies, for the Federal Woman's Award. From those nominated, a panel of distinguished citi- zens, on behalf of the Board of Trustees for the Award, selects six outstanding women to receive the award at public ceremonies. Among the women named by agencies for considera- tion for the award have been representatives from an im- pressive range of occupational fields. They include doctors, lawyers, scientists, and engineers; high-ranking executives, foreign service officers, commercial and in- dustrial experts; and distinguished specialists in aviation, space research, and nuclear-age weapons. Also well represented are the traditional women's occupations such as social welfare, nursing, nutrition, and library science. The 1964 awards went to women in six different career fields-commerce, foreign service, mathematics, medicine, personnel training, and social welfare. FEDERAL CAREER Over 90 percent of Federal positions. in the United States today are filled through the competitive merit sys- tem established by the Civil Service Act of 1883. Nine- tenths of Federal positions are outside Washington, D.C.-in towns and cities all over the country-so it is often possible for a woman to secure a Government job near home. People without experience usually take a written test. The examination for people with experience or with some kinds of technical training may simply require sub- mitting applications, which are all rated under the same standards on the basis of the information in them, subject to verification. Applicants with the highest ratings are given first consideration in filling positions. Gateway to career opportunities in Government for college-caliber people is the Federal-Service Entrance Examination. Open to college seniors and graduates regardless of major, as well as to persons with experience comparable to college graduation, the FSEE is used to fill trainee-level positions in all but a few highly technical occupations. The objective of the examination, given throughout the college year, is to bring into Government highly qualified, career-minded men and women who have the potential to grow and develop and become the Government's career managers, technicians, and profes- sional leaders of tomorrow. Annually the Government makes about 8,000 appointments from this examination to fill its requirements for a continuing supply of able men and women interested in challenging and respon- sible positions with a future. Nearly 50 agencies fill positions from this examination. Thus one application can open the way for consideration in many agencies. Scientists and engineers entering the Federal service have unprecedented opportunity to participate in re- search and development work of vital importance. Ap- pointments to these positions are usually made, not from the FSEE, but from separate examinations. For most of them, no written test is required. Other examinations for specific professions, such as ac- counting, are also announced from time to time. Less education and experience are required for many positions such as stenographer, typist, office machine operator, technical aid in the physical and biological sci- ences, and post office clerk. Most of them call for a written or performance test. The positions of typist and stenographer provide an open door for women with a high school education. Many women enter Federal service in these positions, complete their education after hours, and progress to more responsible, specialized positions. No competitive examinations are required for Federal jobs not under civil service, which are scattered through the various agencies. All positions in a few agencies- the Foreign Service of the Department of State, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Atomic Energy Commission, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Department of Medicine and Surgery of the Veterans Administration-are not under civil service. For infor- mation about such jobs, you should get in touch with the employing agency. A ROAD MAP TO THE JOB YOU WANT * Prepare yourself well for the occupation of your choice. A college education will help. * Get in touch with a nearby Federal establishment, or one of the offices listed on the back of this pamphlet, to find out whether the Government is currently ac- cepting applications for your occupation. Some ex- aminations are open all the time, others periodically, according to the vacancies Federal agencies anticipate. * If you are a college student, get in touch with your col- lege placement officer. He has information about open examinations and a reference copy of the Fed- eral Career Directory-A Guide for College Students, which matches college majors with different kinds of Federal jobs. * Apply for the examination that interests you and for which you believe you are qualified. Men and women should remember that civil service examinations are open to every American citizen regard- less of sex, race, creed, or politics. Appointments are made on merit, and advancement is on the same basis. Thousands of employees-men and women alike-are making successful careers in the Federal service. They work in programs of national and even worldwide im- portance. Many of them feel that sharing in work that is of such vital importance to so many millions of people is the most attractive and exciting feature of Government employment. UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA 3 1262 08135 069 5 CIVIL SERVICE REGIONAL OFFICES For local employment information, contact the U.S. Civil Service Regional Office for your State. Address Director, ............................................ Region, U.S. Civil Service Commission. Atlanta Region.-Atlanta Merchandise Mart, 240 Peachtree Street NW., Atlanta, Ga., 30303: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Ten- nessee, and Virgin Islands. Boston Region.-Post Office and Courthouse Building, Bos- ton, Mass., 02109: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Chicago Region.-Main Post Office Building, Chicago, Ill., 60607: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Dallas Region.-1114 Commerce Street, Dallas, Tex., 75202: Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Denver Region.-Building 41, Denver Federal Center, Den- ver, Colo., 80225: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. New York Region.-News Building, 220 E. 42d Street, New York, N.Y., 10017: New Jersey and New York. Philadelphia Region.-Customhouse, Second and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia, Pa., 19106: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsyl- vania, Virginia, and West Virginia. San Francisco Region.-Box 36010, 450 Golden Gate Ave- nue, San Francisco, Calif., 94102: California, Hawaii, and Nevada. Seattle Region.-302 Federal Office Building, First Avenue and Madison Street, Seattle, Wash., 98104: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington. St. Louis Region.-Federal Building, 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, Mo., 63103: Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota. U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE :1964-0-628-S84 For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office Washington, D.C., 20402 Price 10 cents |