Section 16: Glossary of Key Federal Hiring Terms

Assessment

Any tool used to evaluate an applicant’s competencies or job-related capabilities. Assessments may include USA Hire tests, structured interviews, SME résumé reviews, or other validated instruments.

Basic Qualifications

Requirements that an applicant must meet before minimum qualifications can be evaluated. These may include education requirements, licensure or certification, or other prerequisites identified in the job announcement.

Career Path

NIST uses four career paths—ZA (Administrative), ZS (Administrative Support), ZP (Scientific and Engineering), and ZT (Scientific and Technical Support). Each career path has its own qualification parameters and pay band structure.

Certificate (Referral List)

A list of applicants who meet the qualification and job-related referral criteria for a vacancy. Hiring officials review referred applicants to determine whether to conduct interviews or make selections.

Ctap/Ictap

Programs providing priority consideration to certain displaced federal employees who are determined to be well-qualified for a vacancy.

Delegated Examining (DE)

A hiring path that allows agencies to recruit from the general public. Veterans’ preference applies when required.

Direct Hire Authority (DHA)

A hiring authority used when OPM determines an occupation has a critical hiring need or severe candidate shortage. Veterans’ preference and rating/ranking do not apply, but applicants must still meet qualifications and complete required assessments.

Hiring Path

A category indicating how an applicant is eligible to apply, such as Delegated Examining, Merit Promotion, Direct Hire, Pathways, or CTAP/ICTAP.

Merit Promotion (MP)

A hiring path for current or former federal employees and other status-eligible applicants. Veterans’ preference does not apply under MP procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

Requirements an applicant must meet to be considered minimally eligible for a position. This includes evaluation of specialized experience and, when applicable, education used as a substitute for experience.

Pay Band

A range of levels within NIST’s pay system (Bands I through V). Each band covers responsibilities and pay generally comparable to certain GS grade ranges, depending on the career path.

Position Education Requirement

A position requirement mandating a specific degree or academic field of study, as defined by OPM qualification standards. Applicants must meet the degree requirement through accredited U.S. education or a valid foreign credential evaluation.

Referred

A status indicating an applicant has met qualification and job-related referral criteria and has been forwarded to the hiring official for possible interview or selection.

Rule of Many

A hiring approach that allows agencies to refer all qualified applicants who meet job-related criteria, without using category rating or numerical ranking.

Special Hiring Authority

Hiring authorities—such as Veterans’ Recruitment Appointment (VRA) or Schedule A for persons with disabilities—that allow agencies to consider applicants outside traditional competitive examining procedures.

Specialized Experience

Experience that demonstrates the specific knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties of the position. Applicants must clearly describe this experience in their résumé for it to be credited.

Subject Matter Expert (SME)

A trained evaluator who reviews résumés to determine whether applicants demonstrate specialized experience, when SMEs are part of the assessment strategy.