General Technical Base

DOE-STD-1146-2001

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD

FUNCTIONAL AREA:

PURPOSE

The Department's Federal Technical Capability Program Policy, issued by the Secretary in

December 1998, commits the Department to continuously strive for technical excellence. The

Technical Qualification Program, 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. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) minimum

qualifications standards will be greatly enhanced by application of appropriate materials from

the Technical Qualification Standards.

The Technical Qualification Standards are not intended to replace the OPM Qualification

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

primary purpose of the Technical Qualification Program is to verify that employees have the

requisite technical competency to support the mission of the Department. The Technical

Qualification Program forms the basis for the development and assignment of personnel

responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities.

The General Technical Base Qualification Standard is intended to ensure that all technical

employees in the Technical Qualification Program have a common level of core technical

knowledge. Functional Area Qualification Standards build on this base knowledge to provide

greater knowledge and skills for each individual functional area. Facility/Site Specific

Qualification Standards build upon the knowledge and skills of the functional areas and provide

the unique knowledge and skills for a functional area at a specific facility or site.

APPLICABILITY

The General Technical Base Qualification Standard establishes common technical competency

requirements for Department of Energy personnel who provide assistance, direction, guidance,

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

nuclear facilities. The General Technical Base Qualification Standard has been developed as a

tool to assist program and field offices in the development and implementation of the Technical

Qualification Program in their organization. Program and field offices are expected to use the