Purpose - std116020030009

DOE-STD-1160-2003

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

FUNCTIONAL AREA QUALIFICATION STANDARD

FUNCTIONAL AREA

Occupational Safety

PURPOSE

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Technical Capability for Defense Nuclear

Facilities, Policy 426.1, issued by the Secretary of Energy in December 1998, commits the DOE

to continuously strive for technical excellence. The Technical Qualification Program, along with

the supporting technical Functional Area Qualification Standards, complements the personnel

processes that support the DOE'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, in part, 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 qualification standards will be

greatly enhanced by the application of appropriate materials from the Functional Area

Qualification Standards.

The Occupational Safety Functional Area Qualification Standard is not intended to replace the

OPM Qualification Standards or other DOE 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 DOE mission. 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 Occupational Safety Functional Area Qualification Standard establishes common functional

area competency requirements for DOE Occupational Safety personnel who provide assistance,

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

operation of defense nuclear facilities. The Occupational Safety 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 may choose to use this technical Functional Area Qualification

Standard as is, or they may use parts of it to facilitate the development of their own unique

technical qualification standards. In either case, satisfactory and documented attainment of the

competency requirements contained in this technical Functional Area Qualification Standard, or

similar standards, ensures that occupational safety personnel possess the requisite competence

to fulfill their functional area duties and responsibilities. Office/facility-specific qualification

standards supplement this Occupational Safety Functional Area Qualification Standard and

establish unique operational competency requirements at the DOE-Headquarters or field

element, site, or facility level.