Summary
Connects Claude to the official USAJobs API to help tech professionals transition from private sector to federal careers. Exposes tools for searching federal job openings with filters like location, salary, and clearance level, plus specialized operations for CV analysis, KSA extraction, and federal concept translation. Your CV stays local while Claude uses it to compare qualifications against postings or find matching opportunities. Particularly useful if you've ever looked at a federal job description and wondered what "GS-13 Step 5" means or whether "Competitive Service" applies to you. Requires a free USAJobs API key.
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federal-compass-mcp
Your AI compass from private sector to federal career
Federal job descriptions are 5 pages of legal language. GS grades, clearance levels, hiring paths — none of this is explained anywhere. federal-compass-mcp connects Claude to the official USAJobs API and turns it into an AI advisor that speaks plain English.
Built for tech professionals transitioning from private sector to federal/government careers.
What it does
- Searches federal job openings with optional filters — keyword, location, salary, clearance level
- Translates federal job descriptions into plain language — what they actually want, without the jargon
- Analyzes your CV against specific job postings and tells you if you qualify
- Explains federal concepts — GS grades, pay plans, security clearances, hiring paths
- Saves your CV locally so Claude can reference it automatically
Getting started
1. Get your free USAJobs API key
Register at developer.usajobs.gov — takes about 3 minutes. Verify your email and you'll receive an API token.
2. Add to your MCP client
Claude Desktop (~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json):
{
"mcpServers": {
"federal-compass": {
"command": "npx",
"args": ["-y", "federal-compass-mcp@latest"],
"env": {
"USAJOBS_API_KEY": "your_api_key",
"USAJOBS_EMAIL": "your@email.com"
}
}
}
}
VS Code / Cursor / Windsurf — same config, different config file path. See your client's MCP documentation.
3. Try it
Find me senior software developer jobs in Raleigh, NC
What is a GS-13 and how much does it pay?
Save my CV [attach file]
Look at this job posting — am I qualified?
Tools
| Tool | Description |
|---|---|
search_jobs | Search federal job openings. All filters optional — keyword, location, salary, grade, agency, remote |
get_job_details | Get full details for a specific job posting |
compare_jobs | Compare 2-5 job postings side by side |
save_cv | Save your CV locally for automatic use in analysis |
get_cv | Read your saved CV |
explain_federal_concept | Explain GS grades, clearances, hiring paths, pay plans |
calculate_salary | Calculate GS salary with locality pay for any grade, step, and location |
find_matching_jobs | Find jobs matching your CV — extracts skills and searches USAJobs |
check_qualification | Compare your CV against a specific job posting |
extract_ksa | Extract KSA requirements from a job posting, optionally match against your CV |
CV storage
Your CV is stored locally on your machine — never sent to any server:
~/.federal-compass/
cv.json
config.json
codelists/ <- cached USAJobs reference data
Why federal jobs are confusing (and how this helps)
Coming from private sector, federal job postings feel like a different language:
- GS-13 Step 1-10 — what grade am I? what does step mean?
- TS/SCI with polygraph — do I need this? how long does it take?
- Competitive vs Excepted Service — which one can I apply to?
- HiringPath: fed-transition — what is this and why does it matter?
federal-compass-mcp answers all of these through natural conversation with Claude.
Requirements
- Node.js v22+
- Free USAJobs API key
- Any MCP-compatible client (Claude Desktop, VS Code, Cursor, etc.)
Contributing
Issues and PRs welcome. See CONTRIBUTING.md.
License
MIT — see LICENSE
Built by @skivuha — a Senior Frontend Engineer navigating the private-to-federal transition firsthand.
Featured
Keep your Mac awake while Claude Code and 40+ AI agents run. Sleeps when they're idle.
One time payment $9 →Integrate web data into your AI product. One API to scrape website & brand data.
Get API Key Now →Agent, run crypto. Access onchain data & trade routes via 1inch.
Install now →On Capafy, your Skill runs online 24/7 as an agent product, and you get paid every time someone uses it.
Start earning →Configuration
USAJOBS_API_KEYAPI key from developer.usajobs.gov
USAJOBS_EMAILEmail used when requesting the API key
Categories
Registryactive
Packagefederal-compass-mcp
TransportSTDIO
UpdatedApr 15, 2026
