The following requirements are prescribed by the Office of Personnel Management and used to determine minimum qualifications.
Individual Occupational Requirements
Basic Requirements:
- Degree: Mathematics, statistics, computer science, data science or field directly related to the position. The degree must be in a major field of study (at least at the baccalaureate level) that is appropriate for the position.
-
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major field of study (30 semester hours) as shown in paragraph A above, plus additional education or appropriate experience.
Experience and education requirements for GS-7 and above
In addition to meeting the basic entry qualification requirements, applicants must have specialized experience and/or directly related education in the amounts shown in the table below.
| GRADE/ POSITIONS |
EDUCATION | SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE |
|---|---|---|
| GS-7 | 1 year of graduate-level education or superior academic achievement | 1 year equivalent to at least GS-5 |
| GS-9 | 2 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree | 1 year equivalent to at least GS-7 |
| GS-11 | 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9 |
| GS-12 and above |
1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level | |
|
Research Positions |
||
| GS-11 research positions |
Master's or equivalent graduate degree | 1 year equivalent to at least GS-9 |
| GS-12 research positions |
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree | 1 year equivalent to at least GS-11 |
| GS-13 and above research positions |
1 year equivalent to at least next lower grade level | |
NOTE: Education and experience may be combined for all grade levels for which both education and experience are acceptable.