[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR319.301]

[Page 191-192]
 
                    TITLE 5--ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
 
                CHAPTER I--OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
 
PART 319_EMPLOYMENT IN SENIOR-LEVEL AND SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL 
POSITIONS--Table of Contents
 
                  Subpart C_Qualifications Requirements
 
Sec. 319.301  Qualifications standards.


    (a) General. Agency heads are responsible for establishing 
qualifications standards in accordance with the criteria in this 
section.
    (1) The standard must be in writing and identify the breadth and 
depth of the knowledges, skills, and abilities, or other qualifications, 
required for successful performance in the position.
    (2) Each criterion in the standard must be job related.
    (3) The standard may not include any criterion prohibited by law or 
regulation.
    (b) Standards for senior-level positions. (1) 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.
    (2) The standard may not include a minimum length of experience or 
minimum education requirement beyond that authorized for similar 
positions in the General Schedule.
    (c) Standards for scientific and professional positions. (1) Unless 
the agency obtains the approval of OPM, the

[[Page 192]]

standard must provide that the candidate have at least 3 years of 
specialized experience in, or closely related to, the field in which the 
candidate will work. At least 1 year of this experience must have been 
in planning and executing difficult programs of national significance or 
planning and executing specialized programs that show outstanding 
attainments in the field of research or consultation.
    (2) Agencies may require that at least 1 year of the specialized 
experience must be at least equivalent to experience at GS-15.
    (3) Agencies may require applicants to furnish positive evidence 
that they have performed highly creative or outstanding research where 
similar abilities are required in the ST position.