Purpose - std115620020009

DOE-STD-1156-2002

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD

FUNCTIONAL AREA

Environmental Compliance

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 minimum

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

the technical Functional Area Qualification Standards.

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 Technical Qualification Program is to ensure 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 DOE personnel

responsible for ensuring the safe operation of defense nuclear facilities.

APPLICABILITY

The Environmental Compliance Functional Area Qualification Standard establishes common

functional area competency requirements for Department of Energy personnel who provide

assistance, direction, guidance, oversight, or evaluation of contractor technical activities

impacting the safe operation of DOE's most hazardous facilities. The technical Functional Area

Qualification Standard has been developed as a tool to assist DOE 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 this technical Functional Area

Qualification Standard as-is, or they may add to it with their own unique site or facility specific

Technical Qualification Standards. In either case, satisfactory and documented attainment of

the competency requirements contained in this technical Functional Area Qualification Standard

ensures that personnel possess the requisite competence to fulfill their functional area duties

and responsibilities. Office/Facility-Specific Qualification Standards supplement this technical

Functional Area Qualification Standard and establish unique operational competency

requirements at the Headquarters or Field element, site, or facility level.