The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) is a strategic initiative designed to support federal employees navigating job displacement. It’s an interagency program that provides eligible surplus or displaced federal workers with a significant advantage in their job search across different federal agencies. ICTAP offers these individuals selection priority when applying for positions in other agencies, substantially boosting their prospects of securing new employment within the federal government. This priority consideration applies as long as they meet the basic qualifications for the position they are seeking.
You are likely eligible for ICTAP consideration if you meet the following criteria:
- Federal Employee Status and Displacement: You must be a current federal employee who has been formally designated as surplus or displaced. This typically means you’ve received an official notice informing you that your current position is being eliminated, or that you will be separated from service due to a Reduction in Force (RIF).
- Agency Application Acceptance: The federal agency you are applying to must be actively accepting applications from candidates outside of their existing workforce. ICTAP is designed to facilitate movement between agencies, so this external application acceptance is crucial.
- Local Commuting Area Job: The position you are applying for at the new agency must be within the local commuting area of your current or former position. This geographical consideration is often part of ICTAP eligibility to ease the transition for employees.
- Qualification Standards: Critically, you must meet the established qualifications and any other specific requirements for the job you are applying for. ICTAP provides priority, but it does not bypass the need to be fully qualified for the position.
To illustrate, consider a scenario where an employee at the Department of Homeland Security receives a Reduction in Force (RIF) notice. Under ICTAP, this employee can apply for a comparable competitive service position at the Department of Justice within the same local commuting area. ICTAP would grant this applicant selection priority over other external candidates, significantly improving their chance of being selected for the role.
For detailed guidance and agency-specific policies related to ICTAP, it is always recommended to consult your agency’s Human Resources office. They can provide tailored information and support based on your individual circumstances and agency regulations.
