GROUP QUALIFICATION STANDARD
Administrative and Management Positions
Excerpted from OPM's web site

The text below is extracted verbatim from Section IV-A (pp.13-17) of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions [MANUAL], but contains minor edits to conform to web-page requirements.

This standard contains common patterns of creditable experience and education to be used in making qualifications determinations. Related individual occupational requirements are contained in Section IV-B of the [MANUAL]. Section V of the same manual identifies the occupations that have test requirements. This same information is available through the index on OPM's web site.

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A list of the occupational series covered by this standard is provided below.

This standard may also be used for two-grade interval positions other than those listed if the education and experience pattern is determined to be appropriate.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

The following table shows the amounts of education and/or experience required to qualify for positions covered by this standard.

Some of the occupational series covered by this standard include both one- and two-grade interval work. The qualification requirements described in this standard apply only to those positions that typically follow a two-grade interval pattern. While the levels of experience shown for most positions covered by this standard follow the grade level progression pattern outlined in the table, users of the standard should refer to E.3.(p) in the "General Policies and Instructions" (Section II of the [MANUAL]) for guidance on crediting experience for positions with different lines of progression.

Undergraduate Education: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a bachelor's degree, in an accredited college or university, meets the GS-5 level requirements for many positions covered by this standard. Others have individual occupational requirements in Section IV-B that specify that applicants must, in general, (1) have specific course work that meets the requirements for a major in a particular field(s), or (2) have at least 24 semester hours of course work in the field(s) identified. Course work in fields closely related to those specified may be accepted if it clearly provides applicants with the background of knowledge and skills necessary for successful job performance. One year of full-time undergraduate study is defined as 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours.

Superior Academic Achievement: The superior academic achievement provision is applicable to all occupations covered by this standard. See the "General Policies and Instructions" for specific guidance on applying the superior academic achievement provision.

Graduate Education: Education at the graduate level in an accredited college or university in the amounts shown in the table meets the requirements for positions at GS-7 through GS-11. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

One year of full-time graduate education is considered to be the number of credit hours that the school attended has determined to represent 1 year of full-time study. If that information cannot be obtained from the school, 18 semester hours should be considered as satisfying the 1 year of full-time study requirement.

Part-time graduate education is creditable in accordance with its relationship to a year of full-time study at the school attended.

For certain positions covered by this standard, the work may be recognized as sufficiently technical or specialized that graduate study alone may not provide the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work. In such cases, agencies may use selective factors to screen out applicants without actual work experience.

General Experience: For positions for which individual occupational requirements do not specify otherwise, general experience is 3 years of progressively responsible experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4, that demonstrates the ability to:

1. Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions;
2. Plan and organize work; and
3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Such experience may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work. Experience in substantive and relevant secretarial, clerical, or other responsible work may be qualifying as long as it provided evidence of the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) necessary to perform the duties of the position to be filled. Experience of a general clerical nature (typing, filing, routine procedural processing, maintaining records, or other nonspecialized tasks) is not creditable. Trades or crafts experience appropriate to the position to be filled may be creditable for some positions.

For some occupations or positions, applicants must have had work experience that demonstrated KSA's in addition to those identified above. Positions with more specific general experience requirements than those described here are shown in the appropriate individual occupational requirements.

Specialized Experience: Experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Applicants who have the 1 year of appropriate specialized experience, as indicated in the table, are not required by this standard to have general experience, education above the high school level, or any additional specialized experience to meet the minimum qualification requirements.

Combining Education and Experience: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements for the grade levels specified in the table, and may be computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-9 and GS-11. (When crediting education that requires specific course work, prorate the number of hours of related courses required as a proportion of the total education to be used.)

The following are examples of how education and experience may be combined. They are examples only, and are not all-inclusive.

• The position to be filled is a Quality Assurance Specialist, GS-1910-5. An applicant has 2 years of general experience and 45 semester hours of college that included 9 semester hours in related course work as described in the individual occupational requirements in Section IV-B. The applicant meets 67 percent of the required experience and 38 percent of the required education. Therefore, the applicant exceeds 100 percent of the total requirement and is qualified for the position.
   
• The position to be filled is a Management Analyst, GS-343-9. An applicant has 6 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7 and 1 year of graduate level education. The applicant meets 50 percent of the required experience but none of the required education, since he or she does not have any graduate study beyond that which is required for GS-7. Therefore, the applicant meets only 50 percent of the total requirement and is not qualified for the position. (The applicant's first year of graduate study is not qualifying for GS-9.)
   
• The position to be filled is a Music Specialist, GS-1051-11. An applicant has 9 months of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 and 2 1/2 years of creditable graduate level education in music. The applicant meets 75 percent of the required experience and 50 percent of the required education, i.e., the applicant has 1/2 year of graduate study beyond that required for GS-9. Therefore, the applicant exceeds the total requirement and is qualified for the position. (The applicant's first 2 years of graduate study are not qualifying for GS-11.)

USING SELECTIVE FACTORS FOR POSITIONS COVERED BY THIS STANDARD

Selective factors must represent knowledge, skills, or abilities that are essential for successful job performance and cannot reasonably be acquired on the job during the period of orientation/training customary for the position being filled. For example, while the individual occupational requirements for Recreation Specialist provide for applicants to meet minimum qualifications on the basis of education or experience in any one of a number of recreational fields, a requirement for knowledge of therapeutic recreation may be needed to perform the duties of a position providing recreation services to persons with physical disabilities. If that is the case, such knowledge could be justified as a selective factor in filling the position.

A list of the occupational series covered by this qualification standard is provided below. The occupational series marked with an asterisk have individual occupational requirements in Section IV-B of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions.

GS-006 Correctional Institution Administration*
GS-011 Bond Sales Promotion*
GS-018 Safety and Occupational Health Management*
GS-023 Outdoor Recreation Planning*
GS-028 Environmental Protection Specialist
GS-030 Sports Specialist*
GS-062 Clothing Design*
GS-080 Security Administration
GS-105 Social Insurance Administration
GS-106 Unemployment Insurance*
GS-107 Health Insurance Administration
GS-132 Intelligence
GS-142 Manpower Development
GS-160 Civil Rights Analysis
GS-188 Recreation Specialist*
GS-201 Human Resources Management
GS-244 Labor Management Relations Examining*
GS-249 Wage and Hour Compliance*
GS-260 Equal Employment Opportunity
GS-301 Miscellaneous Administration and Program
GS-334 Computer Specialist* (Replaced by GS-2210)
GS-340 Program Management
GS-341 Administrative Officer
GS-343 Management and Program Analysis
GS-346 Logistics Management
GS-360 Equal Opportunity Compliance
GS-362 Electric Accounting Machine Project Planning
GS-391 Telecommunications*
GS-501 Financial Administration and Program
GS-505 Financial Management*
GS-526 Tax Specialist*
GS-560 Budget Analysis
GS-570 Financial Institution Examining*
GS-669 Medical Records Administration*
GS-670 Health System Administration*
GS-671 Health System Specialist*
GS-672 Prosthetic Representative
GS-673 Hospital Housekeeping Management*
GS-685 Public Health Program Specialist*
GS-828 Construction Analyst*
GS-901 General Legal and Kindred Administration
GS-920 Estate Tax Examining
GS-930 Hearings and Appeals
GS-950 Paralegal Specialist
GS-958 Pension Law Specialist*
GS-965 Land Law Examining*
GS-967 Passport and Visa Examining*
GS-991 Workers' Compensation Claims Examining
GS-993 Railroad Retirement Claims Examining
GS-996 Veterans Claims Examining
GS-1001 General Arts and Information*
GS-1008 Interior Design*
GS-1010 Exhibits Specialist*
GS-1020 Illustrating*
GS-1035 Public Affairs
GS-1040 Language Specialist*
GS-1051 Music Specialist*
GS-1054 Theater Specialist*
GS-1056 Art Specialist*
GS-1071 Audiovisual Production*
GS-1082 Writing and Editing
GS-1083 Technical Writing and Editing*
GS-1084 Visual Information*
GS-1101 General Business and Industry*
GS-1103 Industrial Property Management*
GS-1104 Property Disposal
GS-1130 Public Utilities Specialist
GS-1140 Trade Specialist*
GS-1144 Commissary Store Management*
GS-1145 Agricultural Program Specialist*
GS-1146 Agricultural Marketing*
GS-1147 Agricultural Market Reporting
GS-1150 Industrial Specialist*
GS-1160 Financial Analysis*
GS-1161 Crop Insurance Administration*
GS-1162 Crop Insurance Underwriting*
GS-1163 Insurance Examining*
GS-1165 Loan Specialist*
GS-1169 Internal Revenue Officer*
GS-1170 Realty
GS-1171 Appraising
GS-1173 Housing Management
GS-1176 Building Management
GS-1361 Navigational Information*
GS-1397 Document Analysis*
GS-1421 Archives Specialist
GS-1630 Cemetery Administration
GS-1640 Facility Management*
GS-1654 Printing Management*
GS-1670 Equipment Specialist*
GS-1702 Education and Training Technician
GS-1712 Training Instruction*
GS-1715 Vocational Rehabilitation*
GS-1801 General Inspection, Investigation, and Compliance*
GS-1810 General Investigating
GS-1811 Criminal Investigating*
GS-1812 Game Law Enforcement
GS-1816 Immigration Inspection
GS-1831 Securities Compliance Examining*
GS-1850 Agricultural Commodity Warehousing Examining*
GS-1854 Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Inspection*
GS-1864 Public Health Quarantine Inspection*
GS-1889 Import Specialist*
GS-1890 Customs Inspection*
GS-1894 Customs Entry and Liquidating*
GS-1910 Quality Assurance*
GS-1980 Agricultural Commodity Grading*
GS-2001 General Supply
GS-2003 Supply Program Management
GS-2010 Inventory Management
GS-2030 Distribution Facilities and Storage Management
GS-2032 Packaging
GS-2050 Supply Cataloging
GS-2101 Transportation Specialist*
GS-2110 Transportation Industry Analysis*
GS-2123 Motor Carrier Safety*
GS-2125 Highway Safety*
GS-2130 Traffic Management*
GS-2150 Transportation Operations*
GS-2161 Marine Cargo*
GS-2210 Information Technology Management

---

GS-018 Safety and Occupational Health Management

Use these individual occupational requirements in conjunction with the "Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions."

EDUCATION
Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study--safety or occupational health fields (safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene), or degree in other related fields that included or was supplemented by at least 24 semester hours of study from among the following (or closely related) disciplines: safety, occupational health, industrial hygiene, occupational medicine, toxicology, public health, mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological sciences, engineering, and industrial psychology.

OR

EXPERIENCE
General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience in scientific or technical work that provided an understanding of the basic principles and concepts of the safety and occupational health field. Creditable general experience must have demonstrated the achievement of knowledge equivalent to the education described above.

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience in or related to safety and occupational health that provided the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include:

• Managing safety or occupational health program elements.
• Developing and recommending safety and occupational health policy to higher levels of management.
• Applying safety and occupational health laws, regulations, principles, theories, practices, and procedures to advise on or resolve technical matters dealing with occupational safety and health requirements.
• Developing safety and occupational health standards, regulations, practices, and procedures to eliminate or control potential hazards.
• Developing or implementing programs to reduce the frequency, severity, and cost of accidents and occupational illnesses.
• Analyzing or evaluating new and existing jobs, processes, products, or other systems to determine the existence, severity, probability, and outcome of hazards.
• Designing or modifying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems to control or eliminate hazards.
• Inspecting or surveying workplaces, processes, products, or other systems for compliance with established safety and occupational health policies or standards and to identify potential new hazards.
• Training of workers, supervisors, managers, or other safety and occupational health personnel in safety or occupational health subjects.
• Work in occupational fields such as industrial hygienist, safety engineer, fire prevention engineer, health physicist, and occupational health nurse.

OR

CERTIFICATES
Certification as a Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), or Certified Health Physicist (CHP), or similar certification that included successful completion of a written examination meets the requirements for GS-5. Applicants may also qualify for higher grade levels based on their education and/or experience.

GS-1811: Criminal Investigating Series

The text below is extracted verbatim from Section IV-B of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions (p.IV-B-229), but contains minor edits to conform to web-page requirements.

Use these individual occupational requirements in conjunction with the "Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Administrative and Management Positions." Individual occupational requirements for Treasury Enforcement Agent positions are identified separately.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

The duties of positions in this series require moderate to arduous physical exertion involving walking and standing, use of firearms, and exposure to inclement weather. Manual dexterity with comparatively free motion of finger, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, and knee joints is required. Arms, hands, legs, and feet must be sufficiently intact and functioning in order that applicants may perform the duties satisfactorily. Sufficiently good vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required to perform the duties satisfactorily. Near vision, corrective lenses permitted, must be sufficient to read printed material the size of typewritten characters. Hearing loss, as measured by an audiometer, must not exceed 35 decibels at 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz levels. Since the duties of these positions are exacting and responsible, and involve activities under trying conditions, applicants must possess emotional and mental stability. Any physical condition that would cause the applicant to be a hazard to himself/herself, or others is disqualifying.

GS 1881: Customs and Border Protection Interdiction Series

This standard covers positions the duties of which primarily involve performing aviation law enforcement operations to detect, interdict, apprehend, and prevent terrorists and other persons, weapons and contraband, from illegally entering or attacking the United States. All positions have in common dual paramount requirements for knowledge and skills necessary to pilot aircraft and knowledge of the customs and border protection activities that forms the basis for the flying assignments.

Minimum eligibility requirements for positions in this occupation are based on possession of the appropriate Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pilot certificates and/or appropriate military ratings, meeting the applicable flight hour requirements, successful completion of relevant Federal law enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), and possession of the knowledge and skills required for the positions.

FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS

Certificates and Ratings: For all grade levels and specializations, individuals must possess a current Commercial Pilot Certificate or the appropriate military rating; both meet the intent of the requirement. Flight instructor positions the FAA Flight Instructor Certificate or the military equivalent rating. The pilot certificate must include the rating(s) appropriate to the work of the position to be filled. For example, a position that involves flying a multi-engine airplane to various destinations under instrument flight rules would require the Commercial Pilot Certificate with the airplane, multi-engine, and instrument ratings or appropriate U.S. military ratings. Positions that require flying or instructing in flying both airplanes and helicopters require a rating in both categories. Only those ratings necessary to perform the work are required.

Note: Individuals establishing eligibility based on military flight experience must provide official orders, forms, or logbooks showing their status as a rated military pilot, flight instructor, or flight examiner, as appropriate. Other certificates that meet or exceed the requirements of the Commercial Pilot Certificate are also acceptable, e.g., an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate.

Flight Experience: Individuals must demonstrate possession of the knowledge and skills required for the work by meeting certain minimum flight hour requirements, including recency of flight experience. The categories in which individuals are required to demonstrate proficiency relate to: (1) the general knowledge and skills to pilot the aircraft, and (2) the specific knowledge and skills related to the particular position being filled. Only that flight experience that is directly related to the work of the position is required for purposes of establishing minimum eligibility.

MINIMUM FLIGHT HOUR REQUIREMENTS

The following flight hour requirements apply to all applicants:

1. Total Flight Time--Flight time as a pilot-in-command or copilot in aircraft of any weight or category is creditable for this requirement. For inservice placement actions, up to one-fourth of the total flight hours may by waived for individuals who have demonstrated possession of the knowledge and skills needed to perform the work, provided:
* They hold the certificates and ratings required;
* They have acquired the pilot-in-command hours and flight hours in other categories essential to performance of the work;
* They meet the requirements in terms of level and quality of experience; and
* Their flying history indicates they are qualified for the position.
2. Pilot-In-Command--Only flight hours acquired as pilot-in-command are creditable.
3. Night Flying--For inservice placement actions at the 11 level and above, 25 hours may be waived if the individual demonstrates the ability to perform the work.
4. Flying Time, Last 12 Months--Required only for positions that involve flying. The flight hours specified apply to competitive appointments. For inservice placement actions, up to one-half of the flight hours may be waived provided the individual's total background reflects the ability to perform the duties of the position safely. For positions flying both helicopters and airplanes, at least one-fourth of the total hours must be in either category of aircraft.

The following flight hour requirements apply only when the position requires the particular specialty.

1. Multi-engine Airplane--When the position requires operation of heavy multi-engine airplanes (gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds), at least 50 percent of the flight hours must have been in such heavy airplanes, except as indicated below. Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in heavy helicopters (gross takeoff weight in excess of 12,500 pounds) may be substituted.
2. Heavy Helicopter--Up to 250 hours flying time acquired in heavy multi-engine airplanes may be substituted.
3. Instrument--At the 11 level and above, at least 10 of the required hours must have been logged in actual instrument weather. The balance may have been acquired in a flight simulator or as other types of instrument flight time, e.g., hood instrument.
4. Instructor Time--Must be related to the nature of the instruction work and the category of aircraft operated (i.e., airplane or helicopter) in the position to be filled. If the purpose of the position is to provide instruction in instrument flight techniques, one-half of the flight time must have involved instrument instruction in either airplanes or helicopters.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

The medical and physical requirements under 5 CFR 339, “Medical Qualification Determinations,” for law enforcement officers, such as criminal investigators, border patrol agents and detention officers, and the Aircraft Operation Series, 2181, must be met by individuals subsequent to appointment and for inservice placement actions, including reinstatement of former employees and transfers from positions not covered by this standard.

Incumbents perform job tasks in a variety of environmental conditions. These conditions include working: (1) in hot or cold outdoor temperatures (i.e., below 32 degrees or above 90 degrees), (2) at high elevations (i.e., 15 feet or greater above ground level), (3) near moving vehicles and aircraft, (4) in dusty conditions, (5) near fumes, (6) in stressful conditions, (7) for extended and irregular hours, (8) under variable lighting conditions, and (9) under high noise conditions. The possibility of exposure to various types of harmful chemical and/or biological agents by terrorists is real.

The duties of this position are of a strenuous and hazardous nature. Additionally, the position requires a high degree of interaction and responsibility to the public. Therefore, any medical condition resulting from an injury or disease or any psychiatric condition may result in disqualification for appointment either: (1) if the condition(s) would affect the ability of the individual to perform the essential functions of the position or (2) if recurrence of the condition(s) cannot be medically ruled out, and the duties of the position are such that a recurrence would pose a reasonable probability of substantial harm to the individual or to others, if the individual were appointed to the position.

A direct relationship exists between specific medical requirements and the condition and the duties of the position. Any chronic disease or condition affecting the auditory, cardiovascular, endocrine and metabolic, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neurological, psychological, respiratory, and visual systems that would impair full performance of the duties of the position is disqualifying.

These are interim physical and medical standards which should be used only until a medical and physical study can be conducted by the agency in cooperation with OPM, and OPM issues a new qualification standard.

FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER (FLETC) REQUIREMENT

Successful completion of relevant Federal law enforcement training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) is mandatory as a condition of employment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

Individuals must be willing and able to engage effectively in contacts with hostile persons, and to work independently under conditions of high accountability. Applicants and incumbents must demonstrate the traits and characteristics important to Agent work. These include judgment, problem solving, emotional stability, and interpersonal skills. A background investigation will be employed in assessing applicants' suitability.

USE OF FIREARMS

All positions require incumbents to carry a firearm in the performance of their duties. Therefore, all individuals must, after appointment, qualify and maintain qualification and proficiency in the use of firearms.

DRIVER'S LICENSE

Applicants are required to have, or must obtain before appointment, an automobile driver's license currently valid in the State in which they are domiciled or principally employed. They must qualify to operate motor vehicles in accordance with applicable Government regulations after they are hired.

MAXIMUM ENTRY AGE REQUIREMENT

Under the authority of Public Law 100-238, the U. S. Department of Homeland Security has established the date immediately preceding one's 37th birthday as the maximum age for original entry into positions covered by this standard.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

As a condition of employment, incumbents must successfully complete all required training and continue to meet all medical, physical, licensure, and other requirements in this standard throughout the duration of their employment.

These are interim physical and medical standards which should be used only until a medical and physical study can be conducted by the agency in cooperation with OPM, and OPM issues a new qualification standard.

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