Information for Job Seekers with Disabilities

Job seekers with mental retardation, severe physical disabilities, or psychiatric disabilities may be eligible to apply for non-competitive appointment under the Schedule A authority.  If this does not apply to you, please return to NASAJOBS for information about other employment opportunities.

What is the Schedule A Authority?
The Schedule A authority may be used to hire a person with mental retardation or a severe physical or psychiatric disability to fill a position for which the person is qualified and able to perform the essential duties of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.  The Schedule A authority may be used to hire an individual on a permanent or temporary appointment.  An agency may hire an individual on a temporary appointment when the individual has proof of disability and it is necessary to observe the individual on the job to determine if he/she is able or ready to perform the job duties.  An individual hired on a temporary basis may be converted to a permanent appointment whenever the agency determines that the individual is able to successfully perform the job duties.

Am I eligible for appointment under Schedule A?
Eligibility for appointment under Schedule A consists of two parts:

1. Proof of Disability: If you wish to be considered for appointment under the Schedule A authority, you must provide proof that you are an individual with mental retardation, a severe physical disability, or a psychiatric disability.  This proof must be provided to the hiring agency before you can be hired.  The proof may be documented in one of the following ways:
   • By a counselor at either a State Vocational Rehabilitation Agency or the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service of the Department of Veterans Affairs; OR
   • By a statement or letter on a physician’s or medical professional’s letterhead from a licensed physician or medical professional certified by a State, the District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory to practice medicine; OR
   • By a statement, records, or letters from a Federal Government agency that issues or provides disability benefits, such as the Social Security Administration.
2. Certification of Job Readiness:  If you wish to be considered for an appointment under the Schedule A authority, you must provide proof that you are ready to perform the job for which you are being considered.  This certification is a statement that you are likely to succeed in performing the duties of the position for which you are applying.  It should also describe any needed reasonable accommodation.  The certification of job readiness may be obtained from the same entity that provided the proof of disability.  The certification may be on the same documentation as the proof of disability or it may be a separate document.    

How do I apply for appointment under the Schedule A authority?

Click HERE to apply for Schedule A appointments at NASA.  This announcement does not guarantee vacancies in specific jobs, grades, or locations.  To maximize your employment opportunities, we strongly encourage you to apply for specific NASA vacancies as they are posted on USAJOBS.

Where can I get more information about Federal employment of people with disabilities?
For more information, visit USAJOBS’s general information webpage on Job Seekers With Disabilities.

You may also contact a NASA Selective Placement Program Coordinator. For a list of NASA Selective Placement Program Coordinators, go to: Selective Placement Program Coordinators.