Line pilot to FAA job.   

I went through the process about 8 years ago.  It was a pain in the butt!  You have to fill out the job application, and submit a resume formatted, EXACTLY the way the feds want it or it gets kick out of the line and you'll never know why, so be careful and pay attention to detail.  I was a Training Manager at the time and dealt with an ASI a lot who I asked to help me through that process.  He was a great asset and I'll always be grateful for his help! 

The other thing is it took me close to a year to go through the entire process, which included; a couple of phone interviews, an in person interview and check ride with the FAA's Helicopter Chief Pilot in Texas and a background check with couple of interviews with (I believe but don't quote me on this) a TSA Inspector.  Unfortunately, by the time the HR folks called me and said I was their guy, I had accepted an OCONUS IP position for about 3 times the $$. 

Man, were they POed!  The FAA HR Rep was pretty upset and told me I had "screwed everything up" for them.  I told her they had no one to blame but themselves.  That had the process not taken almost a year I'd probably be at the FSDO that very moment and wouldn't have ever considered another offer!

The funny part for me is the next two times I flew commercially in the USA I was selected for "enhanced screening."  That had never happened before.  After the second time I asked the TSA guy if this "happened to everyone who turned down a job with the FAA?"  He asked what I meant, so I explained things to him.  He assured me it was "just coincidence."  All I know is it hasn't happened since!!!