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Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

If you served with the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps VISTA, or are willing to serve, you may qualify for non-competitive eligibility. Federal agencies could hire you outside of the usual competitive process.

Eligibility

Your service is valued by federal agencies. Once you successfully complete your Peace Corps service or AmeriCorps VISTA program, you can apply for federal jobs available to current government employees.

You qualify to apply for these jobs for one year after completing your service. Federal agencies may extend the period up to two additional years if, after your completed service, you are:

  • In military service.
  • Studying at an accredited university or college.
  • Involved in another activity that the agency decides warrants an extension.

You are not entitled to a job within the federal government. You must still apply and meet qualification standards and additional requirements, such as a background investigation.

Learn more about this benefit for Peace Corps service or AmeriCorps VISTA service.

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

Agencies that accept non-competitive eligibility applicants will put this information on the job announcement. Look for the This job is open to section. When a job is open to former Peace Corps staff and volunteers and AmeriCorps VISTA alumni, you'll see this icon .

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

Documents you may need

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.

How to join the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps

The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps meet critical community needs. Whatever stage of your career, both agencies offer service opportunities that allow you to create lasting change. The Peace Corps sends more than 5,000 U.S. citizens to more than 60 countries annually and AmeriCorps has more than 200,000 opportunities to serve domestically. Service opportunities range from part- to full-time and from a few months to a few years. You may work in education, environment, disaster response and community development. Both agencies offer benefits during your service time.

Pathway to FEMA employment

Another option is to serve with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) FEMA Corps program. This program provides a direct pathway to federal employment with FEMA. After you graduate from the program, you may participate in a fast-track hiring process for entry-level FEMA positions. Approximately 70 percent of recent FEMA Corps alums received federal job offers in 2022.

Learn more about FEMA Corps.

Benefits of service with Peace Corps or AmeriCorps

Serving in the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps is not easy, but the challenges are rewarding. During your service, you will:

  • Earn a living stipend.
  • Receive student loans and higher education benefits.
  • Receive career benefits.
  • Become part of a Peace Corps or AmeriCorps network that lasts a lifetime.

Learn more about Peace Corps or AmeriCorps benefits.

Employment at the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps

You can also work for the Peace Corps and AmeriCorps as an employee in addition to volunteer service. Both agencies are part of the excepted service, not the competitive civil service.

After working at the Peace Corps for three years, you will earn non-competitive eligibility status, whether you were a volunteer or staff. Non-competitive eligibility can help you get a job at other federal government agencies.

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Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA

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