RESOURCES

Justice Connection has compiled resources to help DOJ employees navigate separating from the federal government, unemployment and career transitions. We’re updating this page regularly with new information and guidance. 

What to Know About Separating from the Federal Government

How to Prepare for an Unexpected Separation

• Protect Democracy provides a checklist to help federal employees prepare for an unexpected separation from federal employment.
• The law firm Kalijarvi, Chuzi, Newman & Fitch, P.C. offers Guidance to Federal Employees on Separation from Federal Service.

Learn More About Different Types of Separation

• The Congressional Research Service published a helpful report on the different types of voluntary and involuntary separation from the federal government. 
• The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) offers information about Reductions in Force (RIFs), as well as a document called Reduction in Force (RIF) Basics. 
• Civil Service Strong published A Civil Servant’s Guide to Reductions in Force.

Guidance for Probationary Employees

• FedSmith describes the federal government’s revised approach to probationary employees as a result of Executive Order 14284, OPM’s implementing rule issued in June 2025, and OPM’s updated guidance issued in August 2025. 
• Protect Democracy, Just Security, and The Partnership for Public Service published resources to help terminated probationary employees know their rights.

Access to Healthcare after Separation

• Civil Service Strong identifies options for healthcare coverage after separating from the federal government.

Unemployment Resources

• This fact sheet on Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees, a state-administered program, outlines what’s available for feds who lost their employment.
• This Century Foundation report dives deep into unemployment insurance challenges and benefits for federal employees, including UCFE. 
• Civil Service Strong provides links to unemployment benefits and other resources for former feds residing in 14 states and D.C.

Finding a New Job

Career Coaching

• Grounded Idealist’s Coaching Collaborative, a volunteer project, matches former federal employees with free and reduced-price career coaching. Due to a high volume of requests, finding a match may take time, but sign up here to get in the queue.
• The FedsForward Federal Talent Platform provides free AI-guided support to help federal employees transition outside of government. The platform offers resume conversation, government-to-private skills mapping, targeted coaching, and a variety of career resources.
• The Partnership for Public Service offers Career Pivot Bootcamp, a free online course that helps federal employees pivot to non-federal sectors.
• Montgomery County, MD residents: The Mobilize Montgomery Federal Workforce Career Center offers career coaching, resume and job placement assistance, professional development, and entrepreneurial coaching for federal employees and contractors exploring their next career move.

Job Search Tools

• Civic Match connects experienced federal employees with state and local government employers. It also sponsors career-support webinars, which Justice Connection occasionally co-hosts. 
• Justice Job Bank connects public safety and justice professionals with employers who value their expertise. They offer roles in criminal justice, law enforcement, and security (e.g., police officers, corrections officers); public policy and government affairs (e.g., program managers, evaluation and impact analysts); and intelligence and crime analysis (e.g., intelligence research specialists, GIS and mapping specialists).

• Job listings:

• • LinkedIn Jobs 
  • PSJD – Listings for public service legal careers.
  • Clearance Jobs – Listings for positions in national security for people with active federal government security clearances.
  • Idealist – Listings with social impact and other organizations.
  • Federal court jobs:
    • U.S. Courts’ Search Judiciary Jobs – Lists current openings for positions within the federal courts, probation and pretrial services, public defender organizations, and other judicial branch agencies.
    • OSCAR – If you are seeking federal law clerk or appellate staff attorney positions, you must register with OSCAR. 
  • Jobs on Capitol Hill:
    • U.S. Senate Employment Bulletin
    • U.S. House of Representatives – Subscribe to the House Employment Bulletin
    • Tom Manatos Jobs

• • USAJobs – Lists current openings with the federal government.
  • CareerOneStop’s Veteran and Military Transition Center provides employment assistance for military veterans, including job listings.

Financial Considerations 

• Are you considering taking a pay cut and worried about your finances? Advisers Give Back offers free financial planning to government employees and contractors with annual incomes below $150,000 and non-retirement savings under $250,000. 

Justice Connection is providing these resources to support current and former DOJ employees. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the information on this page, Justice Connection does not guarantee either. None of the information above constitutes legal advice and Justice Connection does not endorse any of the above-referenced organizations.