Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
In order to qualify, applicants must be eligible for appointment under Schedule A.
To qualify at the GS-11 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
- Conducts studies of work processes and procedures, making tentative recommendations for problem resolution; and
- Reviews reports and studies to ensure that appropriate rules and regulations are utilized; and
- Assists in the development of reports and/or procedures to supplement established program guidance.
-OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION: A Ph.D. degree or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree that demonstrates the knowledge skills and abilities necessary to do the work.
-OR-
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Possess equivalent combinations of higher-level graduate education and experience to meet the total qualification requirements.
To qualify at the GS-12 level:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
- Applies analytical and evaluative methods and techniques in developing new procedures and approaches to identify and resolve issues and problems; and
- Provides qualitative and quantitative techniques for measuring effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of assigned programs; and
- Counsels and advises program managers on methods and procedures and making recommendations in reports.