ARE YOU INTERESTED IN WORKING WITH THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION?
Starting in June 2016, the Joint Center convened 36 African-American organizations (e.g., NAACP, National Urban League, INSIGHT America, National Action Network, National Society of Black Engineers and more) and over 250 policy and communications experts to work on transition policy and appointment issues. This effort transitioned into the Black Talent Initiative (housed at and staffed by the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies), which identifies and counsels top African American talent for agency appointments and congressional staff positions.
If you are interested in working with the next administration, submit your resume and express interest using the BTI Candidate Database: https://forms.gle/eZSpLW5j1617mcVE6
FAQs from the Black Talent Initiative
What happens with my information after I submit the interest form?
We will review candidate responses on a rolling basis. Because this work will continue past Inauguration Day, your application information may be transmitted to the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Office of Presidential Personnel for further consideration at a later date.
When will I hear back?
Candidates under consideration for specific positions will be contacted via email to schedule an interview. Due to the high level of interest and limited timeframe, we will only be able to follow up with candidates who are moving forward in the process for positions we expect to start on or shortly after Inauguration Day.
What happens if I do not hear back?
We greatly appreciate your interest in serving in a Biden-Harris Administration. Please be assured that we have received your response. Due to the high volume of applications, we anticipate receiving, we will only be able to follow up with candidates moving forward for positions we expect to start on or shortly after Inauguration Day. The Transition Team will also share your information with the Biden-Harris Administration’s Office of Presidential Personnel (PPO), which may consider your application on a rolling basis.
How do I know if a political appointment is right for me?
We encourage all potential applicants to consider whether a political appointment is the right fit for their experience, expectations, and goals. The Partnership for Public Service has a helpful checklist of considerations, including
- the vetting process
- ethics restrictions for political appointees
- financial, employment, or other conflicts of interest that might prevent you from serving in certain positions or may require changes to your financial portfolio
- issues that may impact your ability to secure a security clearance, if required
- financial considerations
- post-employment restrictions
What annual salary range can I expect to make as a political appointee in the Federal government?
Please review the Office of Personnel Management website to learn more about salaries in the federal government. Salary levels will vary depending on appointment type and pay scale level. For example:
- Recent college graduates or individuals with a few years of work experience generally enter the Federal government in a GS-7 to GS-9 level
- Mid-to-senior level managers are generally rated at the GS-13 to GS-15 levels
- Executive leaders in senior levels of government are usually in the non-career Senior Executive Service (NC-SES)
Are there other ways I can serve in government?
Political appointments are less than 0.02% of all positions in the federal workforce. There are thousands of career civil service positions across the Executive Branch, on Capitol Hill, and in state and local governments. For additional information, please visit:
If you are a former federal career employee and interested in returning to the career service, you may be eligible for reinstatement. Please review OPM’s guidelines for eligibility and in the interest form you can indicate if you’d like us to share your name with incoming agency leadership.
To learn more about the
structure of the federal government and
Presidential appointments, USA Jobs lists civil service positions and the
Partnership for Public Service’s Center for Presidential Transition has many resources available for you to review at your convenience. Additionally, Leadership Connect has compiled a useful
Federal Government Acronym Guide, which may serve as a useful resource.