Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement (Self-Paced)
IDSTAF7004

Module 1: History of the Merit System

• Review the evolution of federal hiring from political patronage to a merit-based system.
• Examine the Civil Service Reform Act and its impact on modern federal staffing.
• Understand Merit System Principles and Prohibited Personnel Practices.

Module 2: Researching Legal and Regulatory Sources

• Identify key legal and regulatory authorities governing federal staffing.
• Explain the relationship between Title 5 U.S. Code, Title 5 CFR, and OPM guidance.
• Apply research techniques using the Federal Register, OPM resources, and USAJOBS.

Module 3: Recruitment

• Understand how federal agencies recruit and attract qualified applicants.
• Identify the role of the HR specialist in recruitment activities.
• Review targeted recruitment strategies, including early career, STEM, and veterans’ hiring.

Module 4: Job Analysis

• Define job analysis and its role in federal staffing decisions.
• Apply regulatory requirements for conducting job analysis.
• Identify competencies and KSAs used to support valid hiring decisions.

Module 5: Qualifications

• Apply General Schedule qualification standards.
• Distinguish between general and specialized experience.
• Evaluate education, experience, and combined qualifications.
• Understand objections and passover procedures.

Module 6: Competitive Service – Working for the Federal Government

• Describe competitive service appointment types and hiring authorities.
• Apply veterans’ preference rules in competitive examining.
• Understand category rating and the Rule of Many.
• Determine probationary periods, career tenure, and reinstatement eligibility.

Module 7: Excepted Service and Special Hiring Authorities

• Identify excepted service appointments and schedules.
• Explain Pathways, Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), and special authorities.
• Apply veterans’ preference in excepted service hiring.

Module 8: Temporary and Term Employment

• Distinguish between term, temporary limited, and noncompetitive appointments.
• Match employee benefits and entitlements to appointment types.
• Identify appropriate and inappropriate uses of temporary staffing authorities.

Module 9: Merit Promotion and In-Service Placement Actions

• Explain merit promotion requirements and agency promotion plans.
• Differentiate competitive and noncompetitive in-service actions.
• Apply time-in-grade and time-after-competitive-appointment rules.