Leadership, professional integrity, a broad perspective, and a commitment to the highest ideals of public service are hallmarks of the Senior Executive Service (SES). These qualities also serve as the foundation for the executive core qualifications (ECQs) that are the primary selection criteria for entry into the SES. These qualifications represent the critical skills senior executives need to lead the Federal government today and in the future. While technical job-specific qualifications are important, the keystone of the SES is executive leadership.
Qualifications Review Boards (QRBs) are OPM-administered independent boards consisting of senior executive service members who assess the executive core qualifications of SES candidates. All SES candidates must have their executive qualifications certified by an independent QRB before being appointed as career members of the SES. The QRB review and certification is the last critical step in the SES selection process. QRBs certify that an SES candidate possesses broad leadership skills.
This independent and objective review is intended to ensure that the Government is hiring executives with the qualifications needed in today's environment, especially the ability to lead in times of change, and that technical expertise does not outweigh leadership skill in the selection of new senior executives.
Membership
QRBs are composed of three members of the SES, each from a different agency. At least two Board members must be career appointees, and, whenever possible, one of the three executives will have previously served as a QRB member.
QRB members are volunteers, and we urge all Senior Executives to participate -- especially women and minorities. QRB service gives SES members the opportunity to monitor the appointment of new career executives and shape the future of the corps. Board members report that the experience broadens their view of Government programs, gives them invaluable insight into the importance of the Executive Core Qualifications, and renews their pride in the quality of the Government's executive corps.
Experience as a QRB member is one way to help build an SES corps of strong leaders who reflect the great diversity of America. After the QRB experience, SES members are an excellent resource to agency management and Executive Resources Boards for advice on improving evaluation and selection criteria as well as to SES candidates for guidance on developing executive skills and suggestions on documenting executive core qualifications.
We routinely schedule QRB members through agency human resources offices. If you're interested in serving on a QRB or learning more, you may contact your agency Executive Resources office, or conatct us directly at 202-606-2246 or email our general mail box at SERS@opm.gov. To play a role in shaping the future of the SES - VOLUNTEER TO BE A QRB MEMBER.
Role of the QRB Members
The QRB is responsible for the fair and objective assessment of all case documents in the candidate's QRB case to determine if the candidate possesses the required executive core qualifications. Board members do not limit their assessment of executive qualifications to the candidate's ECQ documentation statement; they consider all of the information included in the application package. The candidate's qualifications taken as a whole must demonstrate that the individual has the leadership qualities needed in today's SES.
Specifically, the QRB judges the overall scope, quality, and depth of a candidate's executive qualifications within the context of the five executive core qualifications and determines whether the ECQs are present in any portion of the provided documentation. Candidates do not need to possess all of the competencies underlying the five ECQs but must have demonstrated executive level expertise, possess a broad perspective of government, and possess leadership qualifications needed for entry and success in the SES.
QRB Administration
OPM staff review each case to ensure that appropriate merit staffing procedures were followed; that the documentation of executive core qualifications is adequate; and that the required documents are included. After reviewing and resolving any discrepancies, the case is forwarded to the QRB for action.
Qualifications Review Boards are convened weekly to certify cases on the basis of Criterion A, Criterion B or Criterion C. Depending on the case load, additional Boards may be convened on an ad hoc basis. Boards usually meet in Washington, DC, and in some instances, virtually, to give field executives an opportunity to participate in the selection of SES members.
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QRB Operations
An OPM staff member serves as the QRB Administrator for each Board, conducts a briefing about the hiring selection methods used by agencies, gives instructions about the certification process, answers questions from QRB members, and provides any other guidance and staff support as appropriate.
Board members independently review one QRB case at a time. If a case involves a QRB member's employing agency or if a member otherwise believes he/she cannot provide an impartial review, the concerned QRB member will be excused from that case. If there is no longer a career majority as a result, the case will be held over and submitted to the next QRB.
After review, board members discuss each case. The Administrator facilitates this discussion to reach consensus. The QRB does not rate, rank, or compare one candidate's qualifications against those of other candidates, nor does it discuss merit staffing, technical qualifications, or SES position designation issues. Rather, board members judge the overall scope, quality, and depth of a candidate's executive qualifications within the context of the five Executive Core Qualifications. The final decision to approve or disapprove is by majority vote.
The QRB either approves or disapproves a case based on the package information submitted by the agency. If board consensus is to approve, the Administrator records the decision and recommendations (if any), acquires the signature of each board member, and notifies the submitting agency. The agency may then appoint the individual to the SES.
If one or more of the members wants to disapprove the case, the Administrator will facilitate a general discussion of the candidate's qualifications to determine if the Board can arrive at a consensus. If the consensus is to disapprove, the Administrator will note specific reasons, comments, and/or guidance, record the decision, and acquire the signature of each board member. The administrator then provides a report detailing board disapproval reasons and recommendations to the submitting agency. The agency will be advised that it has the option of submitting the same case to the next scheduled QRB or having the case returned for revision or alternative action. If the disapproval was based on inadequacy of the case presentation, OPM staff will advise the agency on ways to improve the case to enhance its chances for approval if resubmitted.
Note:
If a QRB case is disapproved a second time, a new case on the same individual for the same position may not be submitted until the candidate has acquired additional qualifying experience in those areas where deficiencies were noted by the QRB. OPM generally requires that the agency hold a new merit staffing competition to credit the additional experience - the closing date of the new announcement should be at least 12 months later than the closing date of the original announcement.
QRB deliberations are privileged. While the names of those who have served as QRB members may be made public, the names of members of individual Boards are not released.
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Case Documentation
The agency determines the criteria type of a QRB case to be submitted to OPM for review by the Qualifications Review Board. The criteria are:
Criterion "A" - Demonstrated executive experience; SES candidates are considered under Criterion "A" when their overall record (professional and volunteer work experience, education and training, accomplishments and awards) demonstrates application of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform at the SES level. Candidates must demonstrate executive experience in each of the five Executive Core Qualifications
Key Documents Provided for an "A" Case
Documents | Traditional Method | Resume-Based Method | Accomplishment Record Method |
SES Vacancy Announcement |
X |
X |
X |
ECQ Statement (not to exceed 10 pages) |
X |
|
|
Resume |
X |
X |
X |
QRB Template |
|
X |
X |
Criterion "B" - Successful completion and graduation from an OPM-approved SES Candidate Development Program activities; Special OPM Internal Qualifications Review Boards are convened to certify cases on the basis of Criterion B. The agency's Executive Resources Board first certifies that the candidate has successfully completed all SES Candidate Development Program activities.Key documents provided for a "B" case:
- Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) Presentation
- Resume
- Mentor Evaluation
- SES Development Plan (Signed)
Criterion "C" - Possession of special or unique qualities that indicate a likelihood of executive success; this type of case involves a candidate whose professional/technical background makes him/her particularly well-suited for the SES vacancy, but who lacks demonstrated experience in one or more of the executive core qualifications. However, they must have the potential for quickly acquiring full competence in all of the core qualifications (e.g., an attorney may have outstanding legal skills and in-depth knowledge of the specialized field for which the SES position is responsible, but he/she may not have had the opportunity to manage human, financial, material, and information resources).
Key documents provided for a "C" case:
All document listed above for Criterion A;
Also required:
A written description of the candidate's unique and special qualifications that make him or her a superior choice for the SES position for which selected and the SES;
A written, ECQ based reference by someone familiar with the candidate's executive qualifications and;
An Individual Development Plan that outlines how the agency plans to strengthen the candidate's executive qualifications in the areas in which the candidate had little or minimal demonstrated executive experience. This Individual Development Plan (IDP) should include developmental assignments and/or formal training that are focused on the specific executive core qualifications that need to be enhanced.
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