[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 5, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2008]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 5CFR319.301]

[Page 194-195]
 
                    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

[[Page 195]]

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 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.