Most selective federal agency to get hired at: DOJ, State, or CIA

[CrunchoMunch]

Out of curiosity, which agency is the most selective to get hired? People say that legal and non-legal jobs at the State Department and the CIA are unicorn jobs, but AUSA positions at the DOJ are hard to come by, and I don't see them mentioned as unicorn jobs. They arguably receive just as many apps for each position as do the State Department and CIA. Why is this so?

[CptHolt]

The answer isn't black and white in this situation.  It depends on a lot of factors. 

Timing: some agencies don't hire on a consistent basis and mainly hire new people during selective periods or when numbers are down, like what the FBI is currently doing.  Their numbers are down due to the agents hired during the 90s are coming up for retirement.  Right now they're taking on large numbers and once that is done, expect things to be quiet for a long time.  

Agency size: Some agencies are smaller than other so they have a degree of selectiveness that cannot afford.  Prime example is the US Marshals.  They don't hired many and the process takes an extremely long time.  The small numbers, waiting time and processing period of the marshals, in my opinion, make them the most selective. 

Grade: Those grades you see next to a position, "GS-X", indicate one's leadership position and many positions will not allow people to jump straight into the highest grade. There's a general rule that GS07 is a bachelor's degree, GS09 is an MA and a GS10/11 is a PhD, but ultimately its up to the hiring agency to grant it. Some positions provide a "ladder promotion" like GS07-12 that allows the applicant to increase grade each year before increasing their step.

And then there are some agencies than not only due their own hiring process, but are not going to discuss their numbers, fail rate or disclose any of their employee information such as the intel agencies like the CIA, FBI, NSA.  They conduct their own hiring process and it is illegal to provide details about the process, even if you fail out. Whereas others are simply not as straight forward like the FO with State. You can take that test as many times as you wish and if you fail, they will not tell you why only that you may attempt again later. Those agencies that hiring internally or conduct their own process have the luxury of being selective, waiting and leaving those slots open.

Also keep in mind clearances.  If you have a clearance from a previous job, that takes a lot of risk from the hiring agency. Since the agency has to pay for the background investigation, they'll want or sure bet or that's wasting time and money.  People with prior clearances have a leg up simply because they have that clearance. 

[CrunchoMunch]

So in other words, the U.S. Attorney's Office is probably easier? 

[CptHolt]

That can be a good gig.  Depends on the job.  Investigator and attorneys have do some great, interesting work.  The support staff is basic clerical work no one with solid education background should even touch.  The work is useless outside of a paycheck and getting a job.