Subpart D—Qualifications Standards

(a) The head of each agency is responsible for establishing qualifications standards for Senior Executive Service (SES) positions in accordance with the procedures described in this subpart.

(b) A written qualification standard must be established for a position before any appointment is made to the position. If a position is being filled competitively, the standard must be established before the position is announced.

[54 FR 9758, Mar. 8, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 6385, Feb. 2, 1995]

(a) The qualifications standard must be in writing and identify the breadth and depth of the professional/technical and executive/managerial knowledges, skills, and abilities, or other qualifications, required for successful performance in the position.

(b) The standard must be specific enough to enable applicants to be rated and ranked according to their degree of qualifications when the position is being filled on a competitive basis.

(c) Each qualifications criterion in the standard must be job related. The standard may not emphasize agency-related experience, however, to the extent that it precludes otherwise well-qualified candidates from outside the agency from appointment consideration.

(d) The standard may not include—

(1) A minimum length of experience requirement beyond that authorized for similar positions in the General Schedule;

(2) A minimum education requirement beyond that authorized for similar positions in the General Schedule; or

(3) Any criterion prohibited by law or regulation.

An agency may apply the criteria in § 317.402 when developing qualifications standards for general positions. If it does not, OPM must be consulted before the agency develops the standard.

If a qualifications standard is changed, or a position is cancelled, the former standard shall be retained for 2 years.