{"slug": "show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data", "title": "Show HN: OJCP – an open protocol for agent-consumable job data", "summary": "OJCP, an open protocol for agent-consumable job data built on MCP and interoperable with schema.org, defines how AI agents discover, reason over, and act on job opportunities, with governance by an independent steering committee. The protocol includes seven core schemas and six standard MCP tools, requiring providers to implement search_jobs, and supports consent-first privacy, agent-aware ranking, and WebMCP readiness.", "body_md": "# The open standard for\n\n|\n\nOJCP defines how AI agents discover, reason over, and act on job opportunities. Built on MCP. Interoperable with schema.org. Governed by an [independent steering committee](/governance), and designed to compose with the broader agentic web.\n\nWhy OJCP\n\n## Built for the agentic web\n\nA shared protocol so AI agents and job providers speak the same language — structured, discoverable, privacy-respecting.\n\nMCP-Native Tools\n\nOJCP tools are valid MCP tools. Any MCP client can call search_jobs, get_job_detail, and begin_application out of the box.\n\nStructured Discovery\n\nProviders expose a manifest at /.well-known/ojcp.json. Agents discover capabilities, tools, and apply paths automatically.\n\nNormalized Apply Paths\n\nA standard taxonomy of application mechanisms — from ATS-direct to agent-ready flows — so agents know exactly how to apply.\n\nConsent-First Privacy\n\nCandidate data is opt-in and scoped. Resume embeddings enable fit-scoring without transmitting PII. Agents self-declare identity.\n\nAgent-Aware Ranking\n\nPass CandidateContext for personalized results. Providers return fit_score and fit_rationale alongside standard job data.\n\nWebMCP Ready\n\nBrowser-native agents can access OJCP tools via navigator.modelContext. Same schemas, same tools, new surface.\n\nSpecification\n\n## Schemas & Tools\n\nOJCP defines seven core schemas and six standard MCP tools. Providers MUST implement `search_jobs`\n\n; all others are recommended. Custom tools use namespaced names (e.g., `acme:get_referral_link`\n\n).\n\nMCP Tools\n\n[Job Manifest](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#manifest)\n\nDiscovery endpoint at /.well-known/ojcp.json\n\n`ojcp_version`\n\n`provider`\n\n`tools`\n\n`mcp_endpoint`\n\n`auth`\n\n`rate_limits`\n\n[JobPosting](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#schema-job-posting)\n\nExtends schema.org/JobPosting with agent-specific fields\n\n`ojcp_id`\n\n`skills_required`\n\n`experienceLevel`\n\n`apply_paths`\n\n`urgency`\n\n[CandidateContext](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#schema-candidate-context)\n\nConsent-scoped candidate profile for personalized results\n\n`consent_scope`\n\n`skills`\n\n`experience_years`\n\n`employment_type_preference`\n\n[AgentDeclaration](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#schema-agent-declaration)\n\nAgent self-identification for audit trails\n\n`agent_id`\n\n`acting_on_behalf_of`\n\n`interaction_mode`\n\n`user_consent_token`\n\n[VerificationStep](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#identity-session-initiation)\n\nIdentity verification action for human completion\n\n`step_id`\n\n`type`\n\n`verifier_id`\n\n`verification_url`\n\n`human_required`\n\n[VerificationProof](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#identity-proof-format)\n\nJWS proof with required claims: iss, aud, sub, iat, exp, nonce — no PII\n\n`step_id`\n\n`verifier_id`\n\n`proof_token (JWS)`\n\n`subject_hash (SHA-256)`\n\n`issued_at`\n\n`expires_at`\n\n[VerifierManifest](https://spec.ojcp.dev/#identity-discovery)\n\nDiscovery document hosted at /.well-known/ojcp-verifier.json\n\n`verifier_id`\n\n`verification_types`\n\n`proof_delivery_methods`\n\n`proof_format (jws|jws+jwe)`\n\n`signing_algorithms`\n\n`public_keys_url (JWKS)`\n\nHow It Works\n\n## Four steps from discovery to application\n\nDiscover\n\nAgent probes `/.well-known/ojcp.json`\n\nor queries the OJCP Registry to find providers. The manifest declares available tools, apply paths, and authentication requirements.\n\nSearch & Evaluate\n\nAgent calls `search_jobs`\n\nwith optional `candidate_context`\n\nfor personalized ranking. Each result includes `fit_score`\n\n, apply paths, and structured metadata.\n\nApply\n\nAgent calls `begin_application`\n\nwith an `agent_declaration`\n\nand the candidate's consent token. The provider returns required fields and a session for multi-step flows.\n\nTrack\n\nAgent calls `check_application_status`\n\nto monitor progress. Providers emit structured status updates throughout the hiring pipeline.\n\nExamples\n\n## See it in action\n\nFrom discovery to application — real OJCP payloads your agents can use today.\n\nApply Paths\n\n## Normalized application taxonomy\n\nOJCP standardizes the fragmented landscape of application mechanisms into a taxonomy agents can reason over.\n\n| Type | Description | Agent Submission |\n|---|---|---|\n`ats_direct` | Apply directly via ATS (Workday, Greenhouse, Lever, etc.) | Varies |\n`provider_hosted` | Provider controls the apply flow and delivers to ATS | Full Support |\n`platform_native` | Third-party platform owns the flow (e.g., Indeed Apply, Easy Apply) | Limited |\n`email` | Legacy email-based application | Not Supported |\n`external_redirect` | Redirect to opaque external page | Not Supported |\n`custom` | Catch-all for non-standard apply mechanisms (homegrown, conversational, etc.) | Varies |\n\nLive Playground\n\n## Try the OJCP API\n\nThis site is a live OJCP provider. Fire real tool calls against mock data — the same endpoint MCP clients connect to.\n\nGet Started\n\n## Build with OJCP\n\nWhether you're a job board, ATS, or agent developer — the spec is open and contributions are welcome.\n\nRead the Spec\n\nThe full OJCP v0.1 specification covers tools, schemas, apply paths, and security requirements.\n\n[View Specification](https://spec.ojcp.dev/)\n\nExplore Schemas\n\nJSON Schemas for JobPosting, CandidateContext, AgentDeclaration, and the Manifest.\n\n[Browse Schemas](https://github.com/ojcp-org/ojcp/tree/main/schemas)\n\nContribute\n\nOJCP is open. File issues, propose changes, or build a reference implementation.\n\n[Open an Issue](https://github.com/ojcp-org/ojcp/issues)\n\nJoin the Discussion\n\nShape the future of agent-ready hiring. We welcome ATS vendors, job boards, and agent developers.\n\n[Get Involved](https://github.com/ojcp-org/ojcp/discussions)", "url": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data", "canonical_source": "https://ojcp.dev/", "published_at": "2026-08-12 15:27:14+00:00", "updated_at": "2026-08-12 15:41:54.090493+00:00", "lang": "en", "topics": ["ai-agents", "ai-infrastructure", "developer-tools", "artificial-intelligence"], "entities": ["OJCP", "MCP", "schema.org", "WebMCP"], "alternates": {"html": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data", "markdown": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data.md", "text": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data.txt", "jsonld": "https://wpnews.pro/news/show-hn-ojcp-an-open-protocol-for-agent-consumable-job-data.jsonld"}}