U.S. Department of Energy Functional Area Qualification Standard -1.1752E+11

DOE-STD-1175-2006

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD

Senior Technical Safety Manager

A Senior Technical Safety Manager (STSM) is usually at the GS/GM-15, Excepted Service IV or

V or Senior Executive Service level and assigned the direct responsibility to manage technical

programs, resources, and/or Department personnel who provide assistance, direction,

guidance, oversight, or evaluation of contractor technical activities impacting the safe operation

of defense nuclear facilities.

PURPOSE

DOE Manual (M) 426.1-1A, Federal Technical Capability Manual, commits the Department to

continuously strive for technical excellence. The Technical Qualification Program (TQP), along

with the supporting technical qualification standards, complements the personnel processes that

support the Department's drive for technical excellence. In support of this goal, the competency

requirements defined in the technical qualification standards should be aligned with and integrated

into the recruitment and staffing processes for technical positions. The technical qualification

standards should form the primary basis for developing vacancy announcements, qualification

requirements, crediting plans, interviewing questions, and other criteria associated with the

recruitment, selection, and internal placement of technical personnel. The U.S. Office of

Personnel Management (OPM) minimum qualifications standards will be greatly enhanced by

application of appropriate materials from the technical Functional Area Qualification Standards

(FAQS).

The technical qualification standards are not intended to replace the OPM qualifications

standards nor other Departmental personnel standards, rules, plans, or processes. The primary

purpose of the TQP is to ensure that employees have the requisite technical competency to

support the mission of the Department. The TQP forms the basis for the development and

assignment of DOE personnel responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear

facilities.

APPLICABILITY

The STSM FAQS establishes common functional area competency requirements for all DOE

STSMs who provide assistance, direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of contractor

technical activities that could impact the safe operation of DOE's defense nuclear facilities. The

technical FAQS has been developed as a tool to assist DOE Program and Field offices in the

development and implementation of the TQP in their organization. For ease of transportability

of qualifications between DOE elements, Program and Field offices are expected to use this

technical FAQS without modification or additions. Needed additional office/site/facility specific

technical competencies should be handled separately. Satisfactory and documented attainment

of the competency requirements contained in this technical FAQS ensures that STSMs possess

the minimum requisite competence to fulfill their functional area duties and responsibilities

common to the DOE Complex. Additionally, Office/facility-specific qualification standards