What is the Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP)?

The Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) is a vital initiative designed to support federal employees navigating job displacement. Specifically, ICTAP is an interagency program tailored to assist surplus or displaced federal workers in enhancing their prospects of securing new employment within a different federal agency. This program offers eligible individuals priority selection for job opportunities over external candidates, provided they meet the necessary qualifications for the position.

To be eligible for ICTAP, you must meet specific criteria:

1. Surplus or Displaced Employee Status: You should be a current federal employee officially designated as surplus or displaced. This typically means you have received formal notification that your position is being eliminated or that you will be separated due to a Reduction in Force (RIF).
2. External Recruitment: The agency you are applying to must be open to accepting applications from outside their existing workforce to consider ICTAP candidates.
3. Local Commuting Area: Generally, the position you are applying for should be within the local commuting area to your current location.
4. Job Qualifications: Crucially, you must fully meet the qualification standards and any other specific requirements outlined for the job you are seeking.

For instance, if you are employed by the Department of Justice and receive a RIF notice, ICTAP enables you to apply for a competitive service position at, for example, the Environmental Protection Agency within the local commuting area, leveraging your priority selection status.

It’s important to distinguish ICTAP from the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP). While CTAP is an intra-agency program focusing on job transitions within your current agency, ICTAP is designed for transitions between different federal agencies. Both programs are invaluable resources for federal employees facing job displacement, offering structured pathways to continue their public service careers. For detailed guidance specific to your situation, consulting your Human Resources department or exploring resources from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is highly recommended.