Section VII
TECHNICAL NOTES AND UPDATES
This section of the Manual is included to highlight special staffing requirements or provisions, and to offer
a central location for filing periodic updates of qualifications information prior to the U.S. Government
Printing Office's issuing the printed Manual transmittals. Regular users of the Manual may also want to
retain their own notes here for ready reference when questions arise about recurring issues.
Special Staffing Situations
Attorney Positions (GS-905 and GS-1222): The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is
prohibited by law from examining for attorney positions or establishing qualification requirements for
them. Therefore, Federal agencies that employ attorneys set their own requirements.
Air Force and Army Reserve Technician (ART) Positions: These positions require the appropriate
military reserve status. Qualifications criteria for these positions are currently updated in connection with
examining delegation agreements. Installations staffing ART positions should consult the appropriate office
in their chain of command if they need further information.
Aerospace Technology Positions with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA):
The legislation that established NASA permitted special staffing incentives for aerospace technology
positions in a variety of engineering and scientific fields. Information about the requirements for positions
filled through the Aerospace Technology program may be obtained from NASA.
Department of Defense (DOD) Acquisition Positions: The Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement
Act requires that Defense civilian acquisition personnel in the Contracting Series, GS-1102, and other
acquisition-related positions meet specific educational criteria or the equivalent as determined by DOD.
Information about these requirements may be obtained from DOD.
Maximum Entry Age: Under title 5 U.S.C. 3307, agencies are authorized to establish a maximum entry
age for original appointment to law enforcement officer, firefighter, and U.S. Park Police positions. A
maximum entry age has also been established under this statutory provision for original appointment to
air traffic controller positions at terminals and centers. Information about maximum entry age limits will
be provided to applicants by the employing agencies.
Panama Canal Employment System: The legislation that established the Panama Canal Commission
authorized that Commission and other Federal agencies with employees in the Republic of Panama to
establish qualification standards for positions covered by the Panama Canal Employment System. OPM
qualification standards are used for many positions; however, alternate requirements are permissible as
determined by the employing agency.
Department of Veterans Affairs Qualification Standards: Under title 38 U.S.C. 7402, the Secretary of
Veterans Affairs has the authority to establish qualification standards for a variety of occupations,
primarily those involving health care. The list that follows identifies the occupations/positions for which
the Department of Veterans Affairs has approved use of the OPM qualification standards in lieu of
establishing separate standards under its authority. In some cases, approval of the OPM standard is for use
in conjunction with a VA standard. Those occupations or positions are so noted. The list will be updated
periodically as changes occur.
GS-101 |
Social Science Series |
|
GS-181 |
Psychology Aid and Technician Series |
Approved for Psychology Aid positions only |
GS-184 |
Sociology Series |
|
GS-186 |
Social Services Aid and Assistant Series |
|
GS-189 |
Recreation Aid and Assistant Series |
|
GS-301 |
Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series |
Approved for positions other than Rehabilitation Medicine Coordinator |
GS-340 |
Program Management Series |
|
GS-401 |
General Biological Science Series |
|
GS-404 |
Biological Technician Series |
|
GS-405 |
Pharmacology Series |
|
GS-413 |
Physiology Series |
|
GS-415 |
Toxicology Series |
|
GS-437 |
Horticulture Series |
|
GS-440 |
Genetics Series |
|
GS-601 |
General Health Science Series |
Approved for positions other than Nuclear Medicine Technologist |
GS-621 |
Nursing Assistant Series |
|
GS-622 |
Medical Supply Aide and Technician Series |
|
GS-625 |
Autopsy Assistant Series |
|
GS-630 |
Dietitian and Nutritionist Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-636 |
Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant Series |
|
GS-637 |
Manual Arts Therapist Series |
|
GS-638 |
Recreation/Creative Arts Therapist Series |
|
GS-639 |
Educational Therapist Series |
|
GS-640 |
Health Aid and Technician Series |
|
GS-642 |
Nuclear Medicine Technician Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-644 |
Medical Technologist Series |
|
GS-645 |
Medical Technician Series |
|
GS-646 |
Pathology Technician Series |
|
GS-647 |
Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-648 |
Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-649 |
Medical Instrument Technician Series |
|
GS-651 |
Respiratory Therapist Series |
|
GS-661 |
Pharmacy Technician Series |
|
GS-664 |
Restoration Technician Series |
|
GS-665 |
Speech Pathology and Audiology Series |
|
GS-667 |
Orthotist and Prosthetist Series |
|
GS-669 |
Medical Records Administration Series |
|
GS-670 |
Health System Administration Series |
|
GS-671 |
Health System Specialist Series |
|
GS-672 |
Prosthetic Representative Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-673 |
Hospital Housekeeping Management Series |
|
GS-679 |
Medical Clerk Series |
|
GS-681 |
Dental Assistant Series |
Approved for use in conjunction with VA standard |
GS-682 |
Dental Hygiene Series |
|
GS-683 |
Dental Laboratory Aid and Technician Series |
|
GS-690 |
Industrial Hygiene Series |
|
GS-1020 |
Illustrating Series |
|
GS-1101 |
General Business and Industry Series |
|
GS-1301 |
General Physical Science Series |
|
GS-1306 |
Health Physics Series |
|
GS-1310 |
Physics Series |
|
GS-1320 |
Chemistry Series |
|
GS-1411 |
Library Technician Series |
|
GS-1701 |
General Education and Training Series |
|
GS-1715 |
Vocational Rehabilitation Series |
|
OPM's Student Trainee qualification standard has also been approved for use under the Department of
Veterans Affairs' title 38 authority.
|