Policies and Instructions
Technical Notes and Updates
This section of the Manual is included to highlight special staffing requirements or provisions . 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.
Series Number |
Series Title | Limitation |
---|---|---|
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.