Qualification requirements in the vacancy announcements are based on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards Handbook, which contains federal qualification standards. This handbook is available on the Office of Personnel Management's website located at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/
Applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the next lower grade level in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the particular competencies/knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. This experience need not have been in the federal government.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations e.g., professional; philanthropic, religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies; knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
To qualify at the GS-11 level you meet the below specialized experience or education requirement.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS11: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS9 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
- Reviewing or evaluating legal or similar administrative documents; AND
- Using Excel or customized databases or other appropriate software for data entry, tracking, maintenance and record keeping.
-OR-
SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION:
- Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or
- 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related or
- A combination of education and experience.
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To qualify at the GS-12 level you meet the below specialized experience requirement. Education can not be substituted at this level.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
GS12: You must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience equivalent to the GS11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
- Managing, reviewing or evaluating legal or similar administrative documents; AND
- Using Excel or customized databases or other appropriate software to create reports and analyses, for data entry, tracking, maintenance and record keeping; AND
- Presenting and conveying information from a variety of sources, and/or making recommendations