Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

If you served with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA, you may qualify for non-competitive eligibility. This means that a federal agency can hire you outside of the formal competitive job announcement process.

Eligibility

You’re eligible if you have at least two years of service with the Peace Corps or one year of service with AmeriCorps VISTA.

Your non-competitive eligibility lasts for one year after completing your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps service. Federal agencies may extend the period for up to three years if, after your completed service, you are:

  • In the military service.
  • Studying at a recognized institution of higher learning.
  • Involved in another activity, which in the agency’s view, warrants an extension.

Your non-competitive eligibility does not entitle you to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.

When applying for a job, include your Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA certification of service documents with your application and make sure to mention your non-competitive eligibility status on your resume.

How do I know a job is open to Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni?

In the job announcement look for the This job is open to section. When a job is open to Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA Alumni you’ll see this icon: There may be other groups listed that can also apply.

You can also select the Peace Corps & AmeriCorps Vista filter in search. Your results will display all jobs open to Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA alumni.

Documents you may need

SF-50
Notification of Personnel Action

Certification of volunteer service
You may use the Peace Corps certification request form to request your certification.

Upload and submit through USAJOBS

You can upload and save documents to your USAJOBS account. Once uploaded, you can submit these forms with your job application as needed. Sign into USAJOBS or learn how to upload documents.