Recruitment and Applicant Processing

Q.    If I pass everything (written test, P.E.B., medical, psychological evaluation, and oral interview), will I be hired?

 A. Not necessarily, applicants that pass everything are still reviewed by a selection committee.  Selections are made according to Office of Personnel Management standards Rule- of –Three. That means that three candidates are considered at a time and only one is selected. A candidate is given three opportunities to be considered with two other candidates during selections. If a candidate is not selected, he or she must apply again.

 Q. If I’m not selected for a class, will I be considered for the next class?

 A. No. If you are not selected, you must start the applicant process again when the next vacancy announcement is advertised.

 Q.  How long are my test scores good for?

 A. Your test scores are good as long as the certificate of eligibles is current.

 Q.  What would keep me from taking the P.E.B.?

 A. If you are not cleared by your doctor, or if you don’t have your Physician’s Consent Form signed by a doctor, you will not be allowed to take the P.E.B.  No exceptions!

 Q. Can I decide which geographic location, (Wash., D.C., NY, or San Fran, Ca.) I want to be assigned?

 A. You can request a geographic location; however, assignments are filled according to the needs of the Force. Class standing may also be a determining factor when it comes to work assignments.

Applicant Background Questions

 Q. What will happen if I proceed to the Forms Screening/Initial interview process without my various forms being already completed? (For example, my Personal History Statement is not notarized as required.)

A. If your various forms are not completed or are lacking a substantive amount of information, you will be given back the material and arrangements will have to be made to review your material at later date. This may slow or delay the background investigation process.

Q. Prior to the background investigation process beginning, what if I have concerns about an incident or incidents that occurred in my life, such as previous arrest or use of drugs?

 A. Currently, various areas of concern (s) in an applicant’s background of life experiences are reviewed on a case by case basis. However, each and every area of concern related to various subject areas, for example, prior drug use, is required to be answered truthfully and completely, providing all relative information to the U.S. Park Police. Failure to disclose all related information or attempting to be deceptive may result in disqualification or removal from the selection process.

Medical and Psychological

 Q. What do I need to do if I had a previous injury or surgery? 

A. On the medical history form that will be completed by the applicant, anything that the applicant answers “yes” to in that section, will require a response from a medical professional.

 Q. What should I wear to the medical examination?

 A. For the medical exam, you should wear something comfortable.  The staff at the clinic would prefer that you do not wear any cologne or lotion, but deodorant is a must.  For the psychological evaluation, it is recommended that you dress professionally, because it is an interview and your first impression is very important, especially to the psychologist.

 Q. Can I eat or drink anything the day of my physical?

 A. No.  Please do not eat any solid food for eight (8) hours prior to your physical.  During those eight hours, however, you can drink as much plain water as you desire.  You can also eat up until the eight hours before your physical.

Q. When do I get the medical history form to fill out for my physical?

 A. The medical history form and other medical forms will be given to after you complete the psychological test.  You may also receive your medical exam date at that time if available.

 Q. What do I do if I had or am planning to have LASIK surgery?

 A. The first thing to do is to bring it to the attention of the Medical Liaison Officer who will be at the PEB test site.  He will then provide you with a packet of information and advise you of what is expected from you by the Park Police concerning this matter.