This program includes
- Project-based training from experts
- 34 training videos
- Answers from real instructors
- Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
- Proprietary workbooks included
- Retake for free within 1 year
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
This certification program is a customized learning path designed in partnership with GSUSA to meet the immediate training needs of HR professionals working under the Federal Merit Hiring Plan, Presidential mandates, and OPM federal guidance. This certification equips HR specialists with the critical skills needed to support federal staffing, job analysis, qualification determinations, and pay setting processes. With practical, applied learning, participants will be prepared to implement knowledge directly into their HR practices. This program builds upon recent classification training to provide a comprehensive foundation in federal HR policies and procedures, ensuring alignment with current government standards and best practices.
Courses & Videos in This Certificate Program
Unit 1 18 Hours
Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement (Self-Paced)
Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement (Self-Paced)
Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement provides federal HR professionals with a practical foundation in federal staffing laws, regulations, and procedures. Participants gain an understanding of the merit system, recruitment, job analysis, qualifications, competitive and excepted service hiring, veterans’ preference, temporary and term employment, and merit promotion. This course supports consistent, compliant staffing decisions across the federal employment lifecycle.
- Explain the foundations of the federal merit system and prohibited personnel practices.
- Research and apply federal staffing laws, regulations, and OPM guidance.
- Apply recruitment principles and federal hiring strategies.
- Conduct job analysis and identify required competencies and qualifications.
- Evaluate applicant qualifications using General Schedule standards.
- Apply competitive and excepted service hiring authorities.
- Understand veterans’ preference and category rating requirements.
- Identify appropriate use of temporary and term employment authorities.
- Apply merit promotion and in-service placement rules.
Lesson 1: History of the Merit System
Lesson 2: Researching Legal and Regulatory Sources
Lesson 3: Recruitment
Lesson 4: Job Analysis
Lesson 5: Qualifications
Lesson 6: Competitive Service: Working for the Federal Government
Lesson 7: Working for the Federal Government: Excepted Service and Special Authorities
Lesson 8: Temporary/Term Employment
Lesson 9: Merit Promotion and In-Service Placement Actions
Unit 2 12 Hours
Job Analysis for Federal Hiring Course (Self-Paced)
Job Analysis for Federal Hiring Course (Self-Paced)
Gain the skills to create job-related selection practices that comply with federal regulations and result in higher-quality candidates. This course focuses on job analysis techniques, assessment tool development, and documentation to support hiring decisions.
- Conducting job analyses that meet OPM and UGESP regulatory requirements.
- Defining and differentiating knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies.
- Developing effective applicant assessment tools to improve candidate quality.
- Identifying and addressing issues in existing assessment tools.
- Creating documentation to justify rating criteria and support hiring decisions.
Unit 3 18 Hours
Qualifications Analysis Course (Self-Paced)
Qualifications Analysis Course (Self-Paced)
- Describe the staffing process and the role of qualifications analysis within it.
- Understand the purpose of the qualifications process and its historical evolution.
- Describe the structure and content of OPM’s General Schedule Operating Manual and Qualification Standards.
- Evaluate experience and education using the General Policies.
- Combine experience and education through proper analytic procedures to determine minimum qualifications.
- Understand the purpose and requirements for selective placement factors and quality ranking factors.
- Explain in-service placement provisions as they are similar to and differ from outplacement provisions.
Unit 4 36 Hours
Pay Setting for GS Positions Course (Self-Paced)
Pay Setting for GS Positions Course (Self-Paced)
- Set pay for employees under the General Schedule.
- Set pay for non-GS pay system employees who move to GS positions.
- Set pay using allowances, differentials, incentives, and back pay.
Unit 5 18 Hours
Federal Human Resources Management Course (Self-Paced)
Federal Human Resources Management Course (Self-Paced)
- Identify the principles upon which the federal human resources management (HRM) system is based and outline how they affect federal HRM decisions.
- Explore the compensation process, including classification, pay, and benefits.
- Describe how equal pay for equal work is accomplished.
- Explain the hiring process and how it is implemented in the federal government.
- Explain how agencies can improve employee engagement to ensure a satisfied, productive workforce.
- Discuss performance management in the federal government, including employee development and performance appraisal processes.
- Describe Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), employee relations, and labor relations programs, including EEO complaint processing, agency administrative grievance systems, and union/management relations.
Tuition
Full Tuition
Price before discounts: $6,945Full tuition: $6,399
Due before the class starts
This program includes
- Project-based training from experts
- 34 training videos
- Answers from real instructors
- Additional 1-on-1 mentoring outside of class
- Proprietary workbooks included
- Retake for free within 1 year
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
Learning Experience Highlights
Training from government‑experienced instructors
Receive instruction from subject‑matter experts who bring proven government experience.
Specialized for government & DoD
Courses that are regularly updated based on feedback and industry developments, ensuring versions are mapped to federal competencies.
The instructor was wonderful and so knowledgeable. The course materials were extremely relevant to what my job is. I feel like I can be better because of this class.
— 2025 student
Real-world solutions
Directly addressing the day-to-day challenges of federal employees.
125+ departments & agencies served
Your trusted training partner, equipping public service professionals with the skills and knowledge to excel in their roles and drive meaningful impact.
100% Online. Start Anytime
- 24/7 access to our premium course videos and projects.
- Industry experts are assigned as your course instructor. Message your instructor with any questions.
- Participate in GSUSA online discussion forums — share ideas and receive additional support.
- Hands-on quizzes and mini projects to test and reinforce concepts.
- Receive additional 1-on-1 mentoring to assist with your newly-learned skills and job search. Work with career services to polish your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, and apply to jobs.
- Earn a GSUSA Certificate of Completion that demonstrates your expertise and supports your professional development.
1-on-1 Mentoring Sessions Included
We want you to succeed in your career goals. In addition to of hands-on, self-paced training, you’ll also receive ten live 1-on-1 mentoring sessions where you can:
- Review your portfolio work with an expert
- Drill down on challenging concepts
- Polish your resume and LinkedIn profile
- Receive professional advice for applying to jobs
- Ensure you’re on track with your learning goals
Group Training
Since 1921, Graduate School USA has partnered with over 125 federal agencies and trained more than one million federal employees. Led by instructors with deep, real-world knowledge of federal regulations, policies, and practices, our private group programs are practical, mission-driven, and tailored to your agency’s objectives. We offer expertise across key federal domains—including human resources, financial management, acquisition and contracting, leadership, and more—to deliver training where and how your team needs it.
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