U.S. Federal and State Government rules for hiring permanent resident green card holders

[sikander]

Dear Friends:

SITUATION:

I had a question about hunting for jobs in the U.S. Federal government, as well as State, County, and Municipality government departments and agencies. I am a green card holder scheduled to become a citizen next year in June 2010. I just graduated with my MBA and have an interest in working in the U.S. public sector/government.

At the federal government level, my understanding based on the law I've read on the web is that for the excepted service and Senior Executive Service, U.S. citizens must always be hired except for U.S. government installations overseas where non-citizens can be hired. And for the competitive service, non-U.S. citizens cannot be hired except where citizen candidates are available.

QUESTIONS:

1. What I have excerpted above is the letter of the law. Practically speaking, however, does the Federal government and agencies enforce such rules to hire only citizens. Do permanent residents stand a chance at getting hired into the government (this of course does not include high-confidence security-oriented agencies related to national security and intelligence).

2. I have been unable to obtain info on the hiring rules of State/County/Municipal governments. Does anyone know about their hiring rules for permanent residents or can anyone direct me to info on local government hiring rules?

Thanks in advance

 

[Jackolantern]

2. I have been unable to obtain info on the hiring rules of State/County/Municipal governments.

That is specific to each state/county/city. Look up their requirements individually based on where you want to work.

But in general, except for police and fire departments and judges and political offices, there are plenty of government jobs at the state, county, and city level that don't require US citizenship, although some will require that you apply for citizenship or sign a statement that you intend to apply for citizenship when you become eligible.