Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 02/02/2026. Time-In-Grade Requirement: Applicants who are current Federal employees and have held a GS grade any time in the past 52 weeks must also meet time-in-grade requirements by the closing date of this announcement. For a GS-7 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-5. For a GS-9 position you must have served 52 weeks at the GS-7. The grade may have been in any occupation, but must have been held in the Federal service. An SF-50 that shows your time-in-grade eligibility must be submitted with your application materials. If the most recent SF-50 has an effective date within the past year, it may not clearly demonstrate you possess one-year time-in-grade, as required by the announcement. In this instance, you must provide an additional SF-50 that clearly demonstrates one-year time-in-grade. Note: Time-In-Grade requirements also apply to former Federal employees applying for reinstatement as well as current employees applying for Veterans Employment Opportunities Act of 1998 (VEOA) appointment. You may qualify based on your experience and/or education as described below: Individual Occupational Requirement (IOR) for Training Specialist Series (1712): An IOR is a basic requirement that must be met in order to qualify for entry into this job series, and cannot be waived. Education must be accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained. Education: Undergraduate and Graduate Education: Major study -- education or a subject area related to the position to be filled. OR Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): Experience that demonstrated a practical knowledge of the subject area of the position and of the methods and techniques of instruction. Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Teaching or instructing in an adult education program, secondary school, college, military installation, or industrial establishment in the appropriate field(s). Supervising or administering a training program. Development or review of training/course materials, aids, devices, etc., and evaluation of training results. Work in the occupation or subject-matter field of the position to be filled that required training or instructing others on a regular basis. In addition to meeting the above IOR, you must also meet the specialized experience for one of the grade levels as described below: GS-7 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-5 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of training regulations, policies, and procedures to develop training courses, aids, and devices to train a variety of staff to enhance their comprehension of program requirements. Knowledge of training methods, techniques, equipment, audiovisual aids and other training devices to develop, integrate, and augment training material to present to diverse audiences. Ability to analyze training data to develop and recommend EMS program directives and new training focuses. Effective training skills to propose changes and make recommendations on training methods. Knowledge in providing education to groups using adult learning principles, organizational learning theories, change theories, and communication techniques. Oral and written communication skills to effectively, concisely, clearly and logically, communicate, prepare and present curriculum material for staff. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have 1 full year of graduate level education or superior academic achievement. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience as described above to meet total qualification requirements for this position. GS-9 Specialized Experience: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade GS-7 in the normal line of progression for the occupation in the organization. Examples of specialized experience would typically include, but are not limited to: Knowledge of policy, regulations, licensing/permitting requirements, and precedent decisions governing environmental programs and waste management to ensure compliance. Knowledge of organizational programs, missions, and functions to provide sound advice and assistance to management on employee development. Knowledge of data system development to determine training needs, evaluate program effectiveness, and ensure regulatory compliance. Ability to provide administrative support, review, evaluate, educate, and train on specific problems, projects, programs, or functions. Expert skills in training methods, techniques, equipment, audiovisual aids and other training devices to develop, integrate, and augment training material to present to diverse audiences. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships to coordinate training efficiently and effectively. Knowledge of quality procedures as they relate to healthcare environmental sanitation and waste management operations Ability to analyze and produce reports for measuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and productivity of employee training requirements. High-level written and verbal communication skills, along with interpersonal skills for presenting training recommendations and negotiating solutions. Capable of preparing briefings and reports to promote understanding and acceptance of findings and recommendations. OR, Education: Applicants may substitute education for the required experience. To qualify based on education for this grade level you must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree: Major Study or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M. or J.D., if related. Education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Unofficial transcripts must be submitted with your application. OR, Combination: Applicants may also combine education and experience to qualify at this level. You must possess an equivalent combination of successfully completed graduate education (beyond the first year) and specialized experience as described above to meet total qualification requirements for this position. Please Note: Transcripts must be submitted to substitute education to combine with specialized experience. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Note: A full year of work is considered to be 35-40 hours of work per week. Part-time experience will be credited on the basis of time actually spent in appropriate activities. For more information on these qualification standards, please visit the United States Office of Personnel Management's website at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/.