Implementation - std-1161-20030010

DOE-STD-1161-2003

knowledge and/or skill that an individual must meet. Each of the competency statements is further

explained by a listing of supporting knowledge and/or skill statements. The supporting knowledge

and/or skill statements are not requirements and do not necessarily have to be fulfilled to meet the

intent of the competency.

The competencies identify a familiarity level, a working level, or an expert level of knowledge; or they

require the individual to demonstrate the ability to perform a task or activity. These levels are defined as

follows:

Familiarity level is defined as basic knowledge of or exposure to the subject or process adequate to

discuss the subject or process with individuals of greater knowledge.

Working level is defined as the knowledge required to monitor and assess operations/activities, to

apply standards of acceptable performance, and to reference appropriate materials and/or expert

advice as required to ensure the safety of Departmental activities.

Expert level is defined as a comprehensive, intensive knowledge of the subject or process

sufficient to provide advice in the absence of procedural guidance.

Demonstrate the ability is defined as the actual performance of a task or activity in accordance

with policy, procedures, guidelines, and/or accepted industry or Department practices.

Headquarters and Field elements shall establish a program and process to ensure that mechanical systems

personnel possess the competencies required of their position. That includes the competencies identified

in this technical Functional Area Qualification Standard or a similar Standard developed by the

organization. Documentation of the completion of the requirements of the Standard shall be included in

the employee's training and qualification record.

Equivalencies may be granted for individual competencies based upon an objective evaluation with

corresponding evidence of the employee's prior advanced education, experience, certification, and/or

training. Equivalencies should be used sparingly and then with the utmost rigor and scrutiny to maintain

the spirit and intent of the Technical Qualification Program. The supporting knowledge and/or skill

statements for the individual competencies should be considered before granting equivalency for a

competency. Prior experience within the last 5 years or training that had some form of examination

process may be evaluated and documented to demonstrate equivalency to the specified competencies.

Completion of a professional certification such as a Professional Engineering license related directly to

the functional area may be evaluated and documented to demonstrate equivalency for many of the

competencies in a functional area, with the exception of DOE-specific processes and requirements.

Satisfactory completion of graduate level college courses that relate directly to specific competencies may

be considered equivalent.

Training shall be provided to employees in the Technical Qualification Program that do not meet the

competencies contained in the technical Functional Area Qualification Standard. Departmental training

will be based upon appropriate supporting knowledge and/or skill statements similar to the ones listed for

each of the competency statements. Headquarters and Field elements should use the supporting

knowledge and/or skill statements as a basis for evaluating the content of any training courses used to

provide individuals with the requisite knowledge and/or skill required to meet the technical Functional

Area Qualification Standard competency statements.