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Federal Compass MCP Server

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AI compass from private sector to federal career — USAJobs search, salary, KSA

About

AI compass from private sector to federal career — USAJobs search, salary, KSA

Security Report

4.2
Use Caution4.2High Risk

This MCP server is well-structured and implements proper authentication through environment variables (USAJOBS_API_KEY and USAJOBS_EMAIL). The codebase demonstrates good security hygiene with no evidence of malicious patterns, hardcoded credentials, or dangerous operations. Minor code quality observations around error handling and input validation do not significantly impact the score. Permissions are appropriate for the stated purpose of searching federal jobs and managing user CVs locally. Supply chain analysis found 13 known vulnerabilities in dependencies (0 critical, 6 high severity). Package verification found 1 issue.

7 files analyzed · 18 issues found

Security scores are indicators to help you make informed decisions, not guarantees. Always review permissions before connecting any MCP server.

Permissions Required

This plugin requests these system permissions. Most are normal for its category.

HTTP Network Access

Connects to external APIs or services over the internet.

env_vars

Check that this permission is expected for this type of plugin.

File System Read

Reads files on your machine. Normal for tools that analyze or process local data.

File System Write

Writes or modifies files on your machine. Check that this is expected for the tool.

What You'll Need

Set these up before or after installing:

API key from developer.usajobs.govOptional

Environment variable: USAJOBS_API_KEY

Email used when requesting the API keyOptional

Environment variable: USAJOBS_EMAIL

How to Install

Add this to your MCP configuration file:

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "io-github-skivuha-federal-compass-mcp": {
      "env": {
        "USAJOBS_EMAIL": "your-usajobs-email-here",
        "USAJOBS_API_KEY": "your-usajobs-api-key-here"
      },
      "args": [
        "-y",
        "federal-compass-mcp"
      ],
      "command": "npx"
    }
  }
}

Documentation

View on GitHub

From the project's GitHub README.

federal-compass-mcp

Your AI compass from private sector to federal career

npm version CI License: MIT MCP OpenSSF Scorecard

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

ToolDescription
search_jobsSearch federal job openings. All filters optional — keyword, location, salary, grade, agency, remote
get_job_detailsGet full details for a specific job posting
compare_jobsCompare 2-5 job postings side by side
save_cvSave your CV locally for automatic use in analysis
get_cvRead your saved CV
explain_federal_conceptExplain GS grades, clearances, hiring paths, pay plans
calculate_salaryCalculate GS salary with locality pay for any grade, step, and location
find_matching_jobsFind jobs matching your CV — extracts skills and searches USAJobs
check_qualificationCompare your CV against a specific job posting
extract_ksaExtract 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.

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