# Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement

Canonical URL: <https://www.graduateschool.edu/courses/introduction-to-federal-staffing-and-placement>

## Overview

Introduction to Federal Staffing and Placement is designed to equip new and developing federal human resources professionals with the knowledge and practical skills needed to operate effectively in today’s federal staffing environment. Participants gain a strong grounding in the merit system, legal and regulatory authorities, and the end-to-end hiring lifecycle within the federal government.

The course explores competitive and excepted service appointments, job analysis, qualifications determinations, veterans’ preference, temporary and term employment, and merit promotion procedures. Through real-world scenarios and regulatory application, participants learn how to apply staffing rules consistently, support agency hiring needs, and ensure compliance with merit system principles while navigating complex federal employment requirements.

## What you'll learn

- Explain the foundations of the federal merit system, including Merit System Principles and Prohibited Personnel Practices.
- Research and apply federal staffing laws, regulations, and guidance using Title 5 U.S. Code, Title 5 CFR, OPM resources, and the Federal Register.
- Apply federal recruitment strategies and understand the role of HR specialists in attracting and assessing qualified candidates.
- Conduct and apply job analysis to identify duties, competencies, and qualification requirements.
- Evaluate applicant qualifications using General Schedule qualification standards, including education and experience requirements.
- Apply competitive service hiring procedures, veterans’ preference rules, and category rating principles.
- Distinguish between competitive service, excepted service, and special hiring authorities.
- Identify appropriate uses of temporary, term, and nonpermanent employment authorities.
- Apply merit promotion and in-service placement rules in accordance with federal regulations.

## Curriculum

#### 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: Working for the Federal Government — Excepted Service

- 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.

## Schedule
- Jun 22, 2026 – Jun 24, 2026 — Live Online
- Jul 13, 2026 – Jul 15, 2026 — Live Online
- Aug 4, 2026 – Aug 6, 2026 — Live Online
- Sep 14, 2026 – Sep 16, 2026 — Live Online
- Oct 7, 2026 – Oct 9, 2026 — Live Online
- Nov 18, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026 — Live Online
- Dec 14, 2026 – Dec 16, 2026 — Live Online

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1849