What is Public Land Corps (PLC)?
- PLC is an act that expands youth service opportunities that also benefit the public through conservation efforts that meet societal objectives.
- PLC is also a hiring authority available to the NPS, USFWS, BLM, USFS, and a couple other agencies.
- PLC guidelines and applications vary from agency to agency, so make sure that you are using the most up-to-date information from the agency that you are serving with, and check in with your ACE point of contact if you have any questions.
- In most instances, PLC allows you to apply for positions that are called “Merit Promotion” – meaning that you are selected/promoted based on the merits of your application and prior government service.
- Although you currently may not have any government service (working with ACE you have not been on the government payroll), your PLC eligibility appreciates the time you have given to public service through your internship and grants you the ability to apply as if you had already “earned” merit promotion status.
- PLC guidelines vary from agency to agency, so make sure that you are using the most up-to-date information from the agency that you are serving with and please check with your ACE point of contact if you have any questions!
- The PLC is considered a “non-competitive” hiring authority. You cannot just be “directly hired” – which may be how some supervisors understand it. It is “non-competitive” because you do not have to apply through those “Open to the Public” announcements.
Am I eligible?
- You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. Some agencies also interpret these guidelines to include veterans up to age 35.
- You need to accumulate a minimum of 640 hours of service through a PLC eligible organization. At least 120 of these hours must take place on federal lands on a PLC eligible project.
- Many ACE EPIC projects are PLC Eligible. PLC Eligible projects may include fieldwork, trail work, interpretation, research that has an end product that will benefit the public, and so forth.
- If you are on a USFS PLC track, those 120 hours must be done on National Forest land in a single term.
- What if I don’t complete all 640 required hours during my internship?
- If you are on a shorter project which is still PLC eligible, the hours that you accumulate will count towards the 640 needed to be eligible for PLC- keep track and document these hours!
- You can re-apply for another term with ACE or another corps program to reach the required 640 hours.
- If you have questions about your PLC eligibility or if your specific project is PLC eligible, please reach out to your ACE point of contact!
How do I apply for the PLC Hiring Authority?
- The first step to receiving your PLC certificate is to complete a PLC hours verification form. This form must be signed by you, your specific project site lead, and your ACE supervisor.
- Once the hours verification form has been signed it needs to be sent to the agency's designated official, which can be obtained from your ACE point of contact. Your ACE point of contact will either send this completed form to the appropriate agency’s designated official or give you the contact information of the official to send the form yourself. The agency official will verify your hours and issue your official PLC Certificate!
- Once the certificate is issued you can use your completed PLC Hours Verification form and PLC Certificate to apply to certain “Merit Promotion” federal job openings.
How do I use PLC?
- Your PLC Certificate Does Expire! Your certificate expires and your eligibility ends two years from the date on your certificate. However, you can re-apply for PLC if you complete an additional 640 eligible hours.
- When using PLC in USAjobs.gov it is important to always upload BOTH your PLC Certificate AND your PLC Hours Verification Form.
- You can use your PLC status for as many applications as you want until it expires
- The advantage you have with the PLC eligibility is – you can apply for positions as if you were already “in” the system as a government employee. You do NOT have to go through the Open to the Public announcements.
- When searching in USAjobs, look for positions that are listed as open Competitive Service with the Special Authorities applicable.
- Always make sure that you meet the minimum qualifications! Even with your PLC status, you will not be considered unless you meet the OPM minimum qualifications for the position
- PLC Eligibility can only be applied to permanent appointments.
- Aim for entry level work at the GS-4, 5, or 7 or WG-2, 3, or 4 (Park Guide, Visitor Use Assistant, BioTechnician, Laborer).
- While you may certainly still apply to Open to the Public positions, your PLC eligibility will not “apply” for these types of announcements.
- You can upload your PLC paperwork anytime you apply for a job but it doesn’t mean anything unless you are applying for a merit promotion position.
Additional Resources for obtaining and using PLC:
General Information
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National Park Service
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Forest ServiceGuidance available here.
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Bureau of Land Management
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