Workforce Recruitment Program

NOTE: Applications for the Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP) are closed for this year. The deadline was October 13, 2017. Please check back again later for next year's applications.

"The Workforce Recruitment Program for College Students with Disabilities (WRP) is a recruitment and referral program that connects federal and private sector employers nationwide with highly motivated college students and recent graduates with disabilities who are eager to prove their abilities in the workplace through summer or permanent jobs.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP) and the U.S. Department of Defense's Office of Diversity Management & Equal Opportunity (ODMEO) manage the program, which continues to be successful with the participation of many other federal agencies and sub-agencies. Since the program's expansion in 1995, over 7,000 students and recent graduates have received temporary and permanent employment opportunities through the WRP."

Source: United States Department of Labor's Workforce Recruitment Program website

All application materials must be uploaded to the WRP site by October 13, 2017 by 12:00 am PST. No late applications will be accepted. You will need time to get your registration approved by your coordinator, gather your resume and transcript, and complete your application, so please don't delay!

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What is Schedule A, who is eligible, and where do the candidates get a Schedule A Letter?

"Schedule A is an excepted appointing authority for people with disabilities. Go to www.opm.gov/disability to learn more.

Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regulations state that, 'people with Intellectual Disabilities, Severe Physical Disabilities, or Psychiatric Disabilities who have documentation from a licensed medical professional or other entity may apply for noncompetitive appointment through the Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.' OPM does not go into further description of the term 'severe', but does encourage federal agencies to interpret that to be as broad and as inclusive as possible.

OPM details a licensed medical professional or other entity as: 'licensed medical professional (e.g., a physician or other medical professional certified by a state, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine); a licensed vocational rehabilitation specialist (i.e., state or private); or any Federal agency, state agency, or agency of the District of Columbia or a U.S. territory that issues or provides disability benefits.'"

Eligibility for appointment under this Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) authority

"Proof of Disability: An individual wishing to be hired under this Schedule A (5 C.F.R. 213.3102(u)) authority must provide proof he or she is indeed an individual with mental retardation, severe physical disability, or psychiatric disability. This proof must be provided to the hiring agency before an individual can be hired. This proof may be in the form of documentation obtained from licensed medical professionals, state or private vocational rehabilitation specialists, or any Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits. One of the types of people who can sign Schedule A Letters are Licensed Medical Officials. This could include registered nurses or doctors at campus health centers."

Source: WRP's Frequently Asked Questions for Students document

For a sample Schedule A Documentation letter, view page 6 of the WRP Frequently Asked Questions document.

Register with WRP

Helpful Links

• WRP Success Stories
• Workforce Recruitment Program website
• Navigating the Job Search Process for Applicants video series

Contact Your WRP Campus Coordinator

Nicole Noble, PhD, LPC
Associate Director, Employer Relations & Marketing
Texas Tech University Career Center
(806) 742-2210
nicole.noble@ttu.edu

Student Disability Services WRP Liaison

If you are registered with Student Disability Services and have any questions, including about your Schedule A letter, please contact:

James Whitfield
(806) 742-2405
james.whitfield@ttu.edu