BASIC REQUIREMENTS for all grade levels in this series include:
A) Bachelor's degree in computer science; OR
B) Bachelor's degree with 30 semester hours in a combination of mathematics, statistics, and computer science. At least 15 of the 30 semester hours must have been any combination of statistics and mathematics that included differential and integral calculus. All academic degrees and coursework must be from accredited or pre-accredited institutions.
Applicants must also meet the additional requirements listed below.
Applicants for the GS-7 position have many ways to qualify. In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants mayhave A, B, C, or D listed below to qualify:
(A) One year of graduate-level education from an accredited college and/or university in an engineering field of study.
(B) Superior Academic Achievement. This can be defined by one of the following:
- Class standing--Upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision, such as the "School of Engineering and Applied Science" or "College of Science and Technology" based on completed courses.
- Grade point average (GPA) as recorded on the final transcript--3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on the official transcript, or as computed based on four years of education, or as computed based on courses completed during the final two years of the curriculum; or 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required courses completed in the major field or the required courses in the major field completed during the final two years of the curriculum. The GPA is rounded to one decimal place (2.95 = 3.0 and 2.94 = 2.9). The final transcript must cover the period being used to determine the GPA.
- Honor society membership--Election to membership in a national scholastic honor society. Please review the list of qualified honor societies.
(C) One year of specialized experience applying basic engineering, biological science, physics, or scientific principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies used in the evaluation of technology; assisting in the collection of and recognizing discrepancies in data. Examples of work include taking measurements and collecting information, learning to take proper samples, conducting routine calculations, checking of numerical data, preparing graphs and data profiles, and/or accomplishing routine analyses.
(D) A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education, that is beyond the first year of progressive graduate study and professional engineering experience.
Applicants for the GS-9 position have many ways to qualify. In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants may have A, B, C, D or E listed below to qualify:
(A) Two years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college and/or university in an engineering field of study.
(B) One year of specialized experience, interpreting and applying engineering, biological science, physics, scientific principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies used in the evaluation of technology; participating in planning and conducting research; applying appropriate references to the claimed invention; etc. Work experience would have involved following established methods and procedures, or detailed instructions; using some judgment in applying basic principles and procedures; and independently completing recurring assignments, but referring deviations, problems, and unfamiliar situations to a designated person for decision or help.
(C) A combination of education and experience in college-level education, training, and/or technical experience.
(D) A combination of successfully completed progressive graduate-level education, as described above, that is beyond the first year of graduate study and professional experience.
(E) A combination of superior academic achievement and 1 year of appropriate specialized experience.
Applicants for the GS-11 position have many ways to qualify.
In addition to the basic requirements as stated above, applicants mayhave A, B, or C listed below to qualify:
(A) Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college and/or university in the fields of study as described.
(B) At least one year of specialized experience: (1) interpreting and applying advanced engineering and/or scientific principles, theories, concepts, and methodologies used in the evaluation of technology; or (2) planning and conducting technical research to draft technical papers; or (3) applying appropriate references and case law to claimed inventions. Experience may include independent responsibility for a well-defined study or for a phase of a larger study that required the planning and carrying out of routine (physics, engineer, biological, etc.) work (such as those who have PhDs).
(C) A combination of successfully completed graduate-level education that is beyond the second year of progressive graduate study and professional experience, as described above.