The Office of Personnel Management has approved a change to the Qualifications Standards for Technical and Medical Support Positions. To afford agencies as much flexibility as possible to compete in this tight labor market, effective immediately, we have eliminated the written test requirement for these positions. The test is no longer available for use. Experience and education requirements are unchanged, as are any certification or licensure requirements.
When making appointments under a delegated examining authority, or using outside the register selection procedures under 5 CFR 333, agencies may use any of the following individually or in combination to assess the qualifications of applicants for technical and medical support positions:
· Commercially available written tests,
· Rating schedules and crediting plans,
· Work samples,
· Structured interviews, or
· Examining services provided by the Office of Personnel Management.
We have included a number of attachments that further explain these options and provide information regarding the transition from written test to other assessment tools. Also attached is the revised section of the Operating Manual for Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions summarizing the occupational series for which written and/or performance tests are still required and the appropriate test to be used.
For further information about this policy, please contact Ms. Suzy M. Barker, Director, Qualifications and Examining Policy Division at (202) 606-0830. Address questions about OPM services to Ms. Karen Leydon at (202) 606-1029.
Attachments
-
List of Technical and Medical Support Positions
-
Technical and Medical Assessment Options
-
Occupations/Positions for which Written and/or Performance Tests are Required
Attachment 1
LIST OF TECHNICAL AND MEDICAL SUPPORT POSITIONS
· GS-019 Safety Technician
· GS-181 Psychology Aid and Technician
· GS-186 Social Services Aid and Assistant
· GS-189 Recreation Aid and Assistant
· GS-404 Biological Aid and Technician
· GS-421 Plant Protection Technician
· GS-455 Range Technician
· GS-458 Soil Conservation Technician
· GS-459 Irrigation System Operator
· GS-462 Forestry Aid and Technician
· GS-621 Nursing Assistant
· GS-636 Rehabilitation Therapy Assistant
· GS-640 Health Aid and Technician
· GS-642 Nuclear Medicine Technician
· GS-645 Medical Technician
· GS-646 Pathology Technician
· GS-647 Diagnostic Radiologic Technologist
· GS-648 Therapeutic Radiologic Technologist
· GS-649 Medical Instrument Technician
· GS-651 Respiratory Therapist
· GS-661 Pharmacy Technician
· GS-667 Orthotist & Prosthetist
· GS-681 Dental Assistant
· GS-683 Dental Lab Aid and Technician
· GS-698 Environmental Health Technician
· GS-704 Animal Health Technician
· GS-802 Engineering Technician
· GS-809 Construction Control
· GS-817 Surveying Technician
· GS-818 Engineering Drafting
· GS-856 Electronics Technician
· GS-895 Industrial Engineering Technician
· GS-1021 Office Drafting
· GS-1311 Physical Science Technician
· GS-1316 Hydrologic Technician
· GS-1341 Meteorological Technician
· GS-1371 Cartographic Technician
· GS-1374 Geodetic Technician
· GS-1521 Mathematics Technician
· GS-1541 Cryptanalysis
· GS-1981 Agricultural Commodity Aid
Attachment 2
Technical and Medical Assessment Options
Agencies should review any examining or hiring assessment for compliance with the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures, 29 CFR 1607. (The "Guidelines" are located at the following website:
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/29cfr1607_01.html).
Commercially developed test. Agencies may use any commercially developed test, as long as it is valid and meets the professional standards in the Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection Procedures (29 CFR 1607).
Rating Schedule/Crediting Plan. Raters evaluate a candidate's job-related competencies, knowledge, skills and abilities by reviewing the candidate's experience, education, and accomplishments against a set of pre-determined, job-related benchmarks.
Work Sample. Examiners rate candidates on their performance using exercises that simulate tasks which have been determined (through job analysis) to be important to success in the position to be filled.
Structured Interview. Interviewers ask candidates a set of standardized, job-related questions and rate the candidates' responses based on pre-determined, job-related criteria. These benchmarks provide specific examples of high, medium, and low levels of proficiency.
OPM provides the following examining services:
Case examining uses an automated staffing system. The automated staffing system develops the vacancy announcement, supplemental qualifications statement and rating schedule; posts the announcement on USAJOBS; mails application materials; determines minimum qualifications and rates applicants; conducts quality review, issues applicant notices; produces and audits a list of eligible candidates; and answers applicant inquiries.
Inventory-based examining produces multiple lists of eligible candidates. OPM updates candidate information; opens/closes the inventory based on need of the requesting agency; mails application materials; receives and reviews applications; determines minimum qualifications and rates applicants; conducts quality review; issues applicant notices; produces lists of eligible candidates; and answers inquiries regarding candidate eligibility.
Examination administration covers the administration of a written examination. OPM manages all logistical details relating to test site selection, competitor scheduling, scoring and issuance of competitor results. Upon request, OPM can also issue a referral list.
Structured interview training and question development are available through OPM.
For more information on services available through OPM, please refer to the following web-site: http:\\www.opm.gov/employ/prices/index.htm.
Attachment 3
Operating Manual, Qualifications Standards for General Schedule Positions, Section V, Test Requirements
OCCUPATIONS/POSITIONS FOR WHICH WRITTEN
AND/OR PERFORMANCE TESTS ARE REQUIRED
SERIES/TITLE/POSITIONS |
GRADE |
REMARKS |
0011 Bond Sales Promotion |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0018 Safety and Occupational Health Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0023 Outdoor Recreation Planning |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0025 Park Ranger |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0028 Environmental Protection Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0080 Security Administration |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0082 United States Marshal |
5/7 |
written test |
0083 Police |
2 |
written test |
0083 Capitol Police |
|
written test |
0083 Park Police |
5 |
written test |
0083 Federal Protective Officer |
4/5 |
written test |
0083 Police (Secret Service) |
4/5 |
written test |
0085 Smithsonian Police |
4/5 |
written test |
0085 Security Guard |
2 |
written test |
0105 Social Insurance Administration |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0106 Unemployment Insurance |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0107 Health Insurance Administration |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0132 Intelligence |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0142 Manpower Development |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0187 Social Services |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0201 Human Resources Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0244 Labor Mgmt Relations Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0249 Wage & Hour Compliance |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0301 Misc Administration & Program |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0312 Clerk-Stenographer |
3/4/5 |
performance test or self certification |
0312 Reporting Stenographer |
5/6 |
Performance test mandatory for competitive appointment & inservice placement |
0312 Shorthand Reporter |
6/7/8/9 |
Performance test mandatory for competitive appointment & inservice placement |
0319 Closed Microphone Reporting |
6/7/8/9 |
Performance test mandatory for competitive appointment & in-service placement; also outside certification |
0322 Clerk-Typist |
2/3/4 |
performance test or self certification |
0326 Office Automation Clerical and Assistance |
2/3/4 |
performance test or self certification |
0341 Administrative Officer |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0343 Management and Program Analysis |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0346 Logistics Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0356 Data Transcriber |
2/3/4 |
performance test or self certification |
0391 Telecommunications |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0501 Financial Administration & Program |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0512 Internal Revenue Agent |
5/7 |
written test |
0526 Tax Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0560 Budget Analysis |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0570 Financial Institution Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA, except for FDIC positions |
0673 Hospital Housekeeping Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0685 Public Health Program Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0901 General Legal and Kindred Administration |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0950 Paralegal Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0958 Pension Law Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0965 Land Law Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0967 Passport & Visa Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0987 Tax Law Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0991 Workers' Comp Claims Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0993 Social Insurance Claims Examining* |
4 |
written test |
0993 Railroad Retirement Claims Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0994 Unemployment Comp Claims Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0996 Veterans Claims Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
0998 Claims Assistance and Examining |
4 |
written test |
1001 General Arts & Information |
5/7 |
ACWA, except for fine arts positions |
1016 Museum Specialist & Technician |
2/3 |
written test |
1035 Public Affairs |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1082 Writing & Editing |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1083 Technical Writing & Editing |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1101 General Business and Industry |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1101 International Trade Analyst |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1102 Contracting |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1103 Industrial Property Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1104 Property Disposal |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1130 Public Utilities Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1140 International Trade Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1140 Trade Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1145 Agricultural Program Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1146 Agricultural Marketing |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1146 Grain Marketing Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1147 Agricultural Market Reporting |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1150 Industrial Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1160 Financial Analysis |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1163 Insurance Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1165 Loan Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1169 Internal Revenue Officer |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1170 Realty |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1171 Appraising & Assessing |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1173 Housing Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1176 Building Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1412 Technical Information Services |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1421 Archives Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1715 Vocational Rehabilitation |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1801 Civil Aviation Security Specialist |
5/7 |
FAA only |
1801 Center Adjudications Officer |
5/7 |
written test |
1801 Deportation Officer (INS) |
5/7 |
written test |
1801 District Adjudications Officer |
5/7 |
written test |
1801 Customs Air Enforcement Officer |
5/7 |
written test |
1802 Compliance Inspection & Support |
2/3/4 |
written test |
1802 Detention Enforcement Officer |
2/3/4/5 |
written test |
1810 General Investigating |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1811 Criminal Investigating |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1811 Criminal Investigator (INS) |
5/7 |
written test |
1811 Treasury Enforcement Agent (IRS) |
5/7 |
written test |
1811 Treasury Enforcement Agent (Customs) |
5/7 |
written test |
1811 Treasury Enforcement Agent (Customs) |
13 |
written test |
1811 Treasury Enforcement Agent (Customs) |
14 |
written test |
1811 US Marshal |
5/7 |
written test |
1812 Game Law Enforcement |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1812 Special Agent (Wildlife) |
7 |
written test |
1816 Immigration Inspection |
5/7 |
written test |
1831 Securities Compliance Examining |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1854 Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms Inspection |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1863 Food Inspection |
5/7 |
written test |
1864 Public Health Quarantine Inspection |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1884 Customs Patrol Officer |
5/7 |
written test |
1889 Import Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
1890 Customs Inspector/ Canine Enforcement Officer |
5/7 |
written test |
1890 Customs Inspector (Promotion to Senior 11) |
11 |
written test |
1890 Customs Inspector (Promotion to 12) |
12 |
written test |
1896 Border Patrol Agent |
5/7 |
written |
1910 Quality Assurance |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2001 General Supply |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2003 Supply Program Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2010 Inventory Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2030 Distribution Facilities & Storage Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2032 Packaging |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2050 Supply Cataloging |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2101 Transportation Specialist |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2101 Airway Transportation System Specialist Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration |
5/7 |
written test |
2110 Transportation Industry Analysis |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2125 Highway Safety |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2130 Traffic Management |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2150 Transportation Operations |
5/7 |
ACWA |
2152 Air Traffic Control |
5/7 |
written tests |
2181 Customs Pilot |
|
written test |
2210 Information Technology Management (formerly GS-0334) |
5/7 |
ACWA for Alternative B only, may also use a written test |
* If you currently use the clerical test battery for GS-993, the examination options are applicable, however, if you use Test 650 for these positions at the GS-4 level, these options do not apply, and you must continue to use Test 650.