Washington, DC Job Openings

• Our Location
• Training
• Awards
• Work Hours
• Paid Time Off
• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement

Our Location

BLS national headquarters is in the Historic Postal Square Building (PSB) in Washington, DC. This is an area that serves as home to the U.S. Capitol and several Federal buildings, including the Senate and House office buildings, the Library of Congress, and the Supreme Court. BLS also maintains seven regional offices throughout the U.S

Training

As a permanent employee, you will have the opportunity to improve your skills in areas that are critical to the BLS mission. You could take advantage of advanced training programs at accredited colleges or universities. The Bureau also provides excellent opportunities for job-related and career development courses through the BLS training center, other government agencies, and the BLS Sabbatical Program. We offer continuous training throughout the year.

Awards

BLS seeks to attract top talent, and gives special recognition to those who perform at above average levels. Awards are granted for:

• Work performance that is above the acceptable level
• Career service marked by superior quality and efficiency over an extended period of time
• Noteworthy achievement by an employee or a group of employees
• Outstanding efforts to promote equal employment opportunities
• Suggestions that improve efficiency

Work Hours

The standard BLS workweek is 40 hours—8 hours a day and 5 days a week, Monday through Friday. However, to help meet the special needs of its employees, BLS has a flexible work plan that allows employees flexibility in their work hours to meet personal or family obligations.

Paid Time Off

Annual Leave is an authorized absence with pay from a regularly scheduled workday. You can use annual leave for vacations, personal, or emergency purposes. For full-time employees, annual leave is accrued at the following:

Years of service    Hours per pay period     Days per year     
 
Less than 3                4                     13
3 to 14                    6                     20
15 or more                 8                     26

 

In most cases, up to 30 days (240 hours) of Annual Leave may be accrued and carried over to the next year.

Full-time employees accrue four hours of Sick Leave each pay period, regardless of length of service. There is no limit on the amount of Sick Leave that may be accrued. Sick Leave can be used for personal illness, medical, optical, and dental appointments, care of a family member who is ill or for his/her doctor's appointments, bereavement purposes, adoption of a child.

BLS observes and is closed on 10 Federal holidays

Health and Life Insurance

Federal Employee's Health Benefits (FEHB) Program

Most BLS employees are eligible to enroll in one of several Federal employee health plans. Enrollment in a health plan is voluntary and is paid for by contributions from you and the Federal government. Your biweekly share of the premium depends on the plan you select. For more information about FEHB, visit www.opm.gov/insure

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are a new employee benefit. These accounts allow you to set aside money, on a pretax basis, for certain common expenses. With an FSA, you can reduce your taxes while paying for services you would ordinarily pay for out-of-pocket. For more information, please visit www.fsafeds.gov

Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

Most BLS employees are eligible for life insurance coverage under FEGLI from the day you begin duty. The Basic Life coverage under FEGLI equals the actual rate of your annual basic pay (rounded to the next $1,000) plus $2,000. In addition to Basic Life Insurance, you may also elect additional life insurance coverage options to fit your individual needs. For more information, please visit: www.opm.gov/insure

Retirement

Federal Employees Retirement System

The Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) is the retirement plan for those entering Federal service under a permanent appointment. FERS benefits are portable and allow employees to take an active role in securing their futures.

FERS is a three-tiered plan composed of the following components:

• Basic Benefit Plan: Annuity amounts depend on an employee's age, years of Federal service as of the effective retirement date, and average highest salary attained over a 3-year consecutive period.
   
• Social Security: Benefit payments from the Social Security Fund at retirement are based on an employee's age, type of benefit applied for, and earnings history from social security-covered wages.
   
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): The TSP is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan similar to 401(k) plans offered by private employers. Employees can choose from several investment plans.
   

Thrift Savings Plan

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees.