This course includes
- 36 hours of project-based training from experts
- Answers from real instructors
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
- Credits: 3.6 CEUs
Learn about the federal hiring process, including current staffing law, regulations, rules, and procedures that must be used to ensure that federal hiring is fair and based on merit, as well as how to select and retain the best-qualified candidates for your agency's jobs. Content is enriched with video and other multimedia.
This course is part of the Human Resources Management Certificate Program, Level I, which can be completed entirely online. Blogs and discussions are designed specifically for students. There is limited instructor assistance.
Boost your skills — earn a certificate and go further.
Tuition
Full Tuition
Full tuition: $1,099Due before the class starts
This course includes
- 36 hours of project-based training from experts
- Answers from real instructors
- Verified digital certificate of completion
- Learn at an accredited institution
- Credits: 3.6 CEUs
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.
Expert Instructors
Our instructors are industry experts and experienced educators, driven to help you succeed.

Dan Kowalski
Instructor

Judy Mintze
Instructor

Natalya H. Bah
Instructor
Richard Rodieck
Instructor

Victoria Cox
Instructor

Adrianna Harden
Instructor

Sarah Gurwitz
Instructor

Sineta Scott Robertson
Instructor
DeShanta Hinton
Instructor
Earn a Certificate of Completion
Upon completion of this course, you’ll receive an official certificate testifying to your mastery of the curriculum. We’ll send you a link where you can download your certificate, share it online with your friends, post it to your professional network on LinkedIn, and view all your earned certificates. Congratulations on your achievement!
Shareable on





Basic Staffing and Placement Course (Self-Paced) Curriculum
What You'll Learn at a Glance
- Understand the basis for the federal merit system.
- Describe staffing processes in the federal government.
- Assess minimum qualifications using OPM's Qualifications Standards.
- Apply requirements for certifying best-qualified candidates in competitive and non-competitive processes.
- Learn how to assist managers and supervisors in recruiting and retaining top talent.
- Ensure interviews are a positive extension of the staffing process.
- Apply the procedures that must be followed for a legal selection.
- Identify pay-setting options for recruitment and salary negotiation.
Course Syllabus
- Module 1 Hiring Federal Employees—Merit Staffing
- Module 2 Receiving the Recruitment Request
- Module 3 Identifying the Staffing Processes
- Module 4 Filling Vacancies
- Module 5 Ranking Candidates
- Module 6 Interviewing Candidates
- Module 7 Selecting Candidates
- Module 8 Pay Issues for Recruitment, Salary Negotiation
Related Courses: Compare to Basic Staffing and Placement Course (Self-Paced)
These related courses share skills and topics with Basic Staffing and Placement Course (Self-Paced). Select up to two and tap Compare selected courses to view a side-by-side comparison.
-
Federal Staffing and Placement Course
5 days $1,849This course provides HR practitioners with the knowledge and tools to navigate federal staffing procedures, covering recruitment, hiring, qualifications, merit promotion, and in-service placement actions.
-
Federal Human Resources Management Course
3 days $1,399This course provides an overview of federal human resources management, covering compensation, hiring, employee engagement, and performance management.
Human Resources 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.
Complete this form and we’ll get back to you within 1 business hour.