U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce
Generic
Job Qualification System for Trades and Labor Occupations
RATING GUIDE NO. 82-A
Knowledge Of Materials
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Knowledge of all materials used in a given line of work. Degrees of complexity are indicated in the sample questions.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
-Able to serve as technical expert on knowledge of materials for competent employees at lower levels.
-Able to select proper material for each particular purpose. Knowledge of special properties, treatment needed, etc., of most materials used. Able to substitute materials. Able to distinguish gradations of material according to quality, trades standards, and specific needs. Able to interpret technical specifications and modify procedures in relation to technical reports.
Common
Knowledge of common materials of trade or line of work.
Less Difficult
-Able to use common materials of trade or line of work, under close supervision.
-Familiarity with materials in trade or line of work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
List the kinds of material which you have not described before but which you had to know about (hardware, plastics, chemicals, lumber, paints, glass metals, conductors, leather, cloth, etc.). Write the job numbers or other item numbers to show where you used each.
For each type of material, write the number of each statement that shows your ability. Give examples to show how you used your knowledge.
1. Have used when material, operations, etc., for a particular job were chosen for me.
2. Have selected material, planned operations, etc., on the basis of specifications.
3. Have selected materials, planned operations, etc., on the basis of my own judgment and experience.
4. Have substituted material properly.
5. Have checked or tested material (explain how and for what purpose).
6. Have been consulted for advice on use of material (tell by whom).
To Guide IndexRATING GUIDE NO. 82-B
Knowledge Of Metals
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Knowledge of metals used in a line of work. For degrees of complexity, see "Sample Questions."
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
-Able to serve as technical expert on knowledge of metals for competent employees at lower level.
-Able to select proper metal for each particular purpose. Knowledge of special properties, treatment needed, etc., of most metal materials used. Able to substitute metal materials. Able to distinguish quality.
Common
Knowledge of common metals of trade or line of work.
Less Difficult
-Able to use common metal materials, under close supervision.
-Familiarity with metal materials.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Write the job numbers or other item numbers to show where you worked with each of the following types of metal:
- Cast Iron
- Mild Steel
- Alloy Steel
- Aluminum
- Copper
- Other metals, alloys or plastics (specify)
For each type of metal, write the number that describes your knowledge.
1. Can recognize metal.
2. Some familiarity with characteristics of metal.
3. Good knowledge of characteristics of metal.
4. Thorough knowledge of characteristics of metal (special properties, treatment needed, etc.)
Give examples of how you used your knowledge (treatment, machining, plating, processing, hardness testing, etc.)
RATING GUIDE NO. 82-C
Knowledge Of Metal And Metallurgy
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Knowledge of metals such as steel, brass, aluminum, duralumin, copper, gold, silver titanium, heavimet, magnesium, and their alloys. Includes knowledge of working properties, heating characteristics, malleability, temper, durability, electrical resistance, tensile and yield strength, etc., as appropriate to line of work.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to apply an unusually thorough knowledge of appropriate characteristics of common metals, or knowledge of less common metals in line of work.
Common
Able to apply a knowledge of characteristics of common metals pertinent to the journeyman job line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to apply some knowledge of characteristics of common metals, but not as adequately trained in this subject as the journeyman worker.
- Able to recognize common metals used in line of worker.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
For each metal listed below, write the job numbers or other information to show where you used your knowledge of the following metals.
Iron _______________________
Aluminum _______________________
Copper _______________________
Magnesium _______________________
Stainless steel _______________________
Other metals (Specify) _______________________
For each of the above metals, write the number of each statement below that describes your knowledge.
1. Can recognize the metal.
2. Some familiarity with characteristics of the metal.
3. Thorough knowledge of characteristics of the metal.
4. Served as expert on the characteristics of metal.
Give examples of work you have done that required this knowledge. Show the characteristics that you dealt with, treatment needed, working properties, etc.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86
Dexterity And Safety
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to operate with dexterity and safety. This includes consideration of speed and quality of operation; coordination of hand, foot, and body movement; and training and actual record in safety. This element is useful for manual work where safety of operations or product is one aspect of efficiency and quality of workmanship. It involves not only safety of one's operations, but safety of work product where relevant, i.e., product produced by employees should not have imperfections which will cause accidents. Compare Element, 86-B, Ability To Operate Safely, in which safety is treated as a single entity.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Degrees of difficulty are not used to identify levels since Dexterity and Safety relates to a personal characteristic. Instead, credit point levels show the degrees to which this characteristic may be demonstrated:
4-Point Credit
Demonstrated superior performance in terms of speed and quality of work as these factors are relevant to the job. Excellent safety record. Evidence of safety training, if pertinent.
3-Point Credit
Intermediate between 2 and 4 points.
2-Point Credit
No derogatory information with respect to speed, accuracy, safety record. Satisfactory safety training, if relevant.
1-Point Credit
Slight weakness in this element (e.g., no evidence of safety training, but no evidence of accident or of poor quality or quantity of work; or one slight accident that does not prove carelessness; or evidence of being slightly below average in speed of production).
Zero Credit
Marked weakness (e.g., serious accident within past year, indicating carelessness; or marked inadequacy in speed or production, etc.).
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe work that you did that required speed and accuracy of hand, that you have not described before.
2. Tell about any work that you did where you had to observe safety rules to avoid injuring yourself or coworkers (e.g., lifting, climbing, handling materials or equipment, setting scaffolds, rigging, etc.).
3. If you worked for an employer with a regular safety program, what did the program include? Describe any scheduled safety training you received or gave. Show approximate dates and total hours.
4. Describe any work you did where you had to observe safety rules that affected the public such as following safety codes (electrical, fire prevention, moving equipment, etc.).
5. Safety record: List accidents within the past 5 years. Give dates; state the severity of the accident and whether you were at fault. List any safety awards that you received.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-A
Ability To Drive Safely (Motor Vehicles)
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to safely operate the type of passenger vehicle or truck required in the job, e.g. automobiles, jeeps, motorcycles, ambulances, pickup trucks, truck tractors with trailer, etc. More detailed information about the use of Element No. 86-A in examining plans is discussed in the examining guide for Motor Vehicle Operator, WG-5700.
Note: This element pertains to operation of automotive vehicles - passenger vehicles and trucks. Ability to operate other mobile equipment such as fork lifts or engineering equipment is covered in Element 86-B, Ability to Operate Safely. When both kinds of ability are involved in a job, Elements 86-A and 86-B should be combined into a single element for rating purposes.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-B
Ability to Operate Safely
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to work in hazardous situations avoiding injury to self and others by using safety devices and precautions. This element is useful where safety practices are important enough to be rated as a single entity. Compare Element 86, Dexterity and Safety, where safety is considered as one aspect of efficiency and quality of manual work.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Ability to Work Safely relates to a personal characteristic. Credit point levels show the degrees to which this characteristic may be demonstrated.
Jobs not involving arranging safety Jobs involving arranging safety conditions in a group 4 4 Level of ability possessed by an inspector or supervisor responsible for the safety of workers and equipment in a hazardous area or working with hazardous equipment where extreme caution is necessary and errors result in fatalities. 4 3 Able to work safely in hazardous situation, under most dangerous conditions likely to be found (e.g., machines running, wiring fully exposed, etc.). 2 2 Able to work safely in hazardous situation, but under safeguards (e.g., machines running at slow speed certain circuits turned off, etc.). 1 0 Able to cooperate in a situation relatively free from special hazards which involve cooperative effort for immediate or long-range goals and where individual or group safety is not critical. Able to pass tools and give assistance when requested. (Gasoline station attendants would usually be at least at this level). 0 0 Poor record of safety.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe your experience and training that shows you can work safely, especially in hazardous situations related to the position your are applying for.
2. Describe dangers involved in any work you have done.
3. What safety training have you had?
4. What is your safety record (including safety awards or safety violations)?
5. Tell about any accidents you have had in the last 5 years.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-D
Dexterity And Eye-Hand Coordination
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of precision of coordination may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Assembling and finishing components made up of complex units which tend to fall apart when not handled with precision, where safety is unusually critical, or where unusual precision is necessary for other reasons.
- Using handtools in varied repair work.
- Working around large industrial machinery without self-injury; cleaning and oiling machines and tools; installing, replacing, assembling, and dismantling units and parts where precision and safety are not critical; feeding machinery such as stamping and punching presses; bracing and holding large or awkward objects.
- Passing a tool to a mechanic at his or her request.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to perform the more demanding manual tasks of the line of work.
Common
Able to perform the common manual tasks of the line of work.
Less Difficult
Able to perform the common manual tasks, but under close direction and guidance.
Able to perform simple tasks in the line of work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
For each kind of work listed below, note job numbers or other information to show where you did it.
- Work which does not involve close tolerance, such as trimming, filing, and the use of simple fastening devices.
- Work requiring close tolerance, including cutting, filing fitting, straightening, etc., and fastening by use of bolts, screws, rivets, etc.
- Work requiring unusual precision, such as where exacting tolerances are involved.
For each of these kinds of work, write the number of each statement that shows your ability.
1. Have not done.
2. Have assisted.
3. Have done under guidance.
4. Have shared responsibility with others.
5. Have been FULLY RESPONSIBLE.
Give examples of the more difficult work you have done.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-E
Dexterity (Assembly, Disassembly, etc.)
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Precision and coordination in metalwork, including assembly, disassembly, etc.
WORK EXAMPLES
For degrees of complexity, see "Sample Questions."
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to perform the more demanding manual tasks.
Common
Able to perform the common manual tasks of the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to perform the common manual tasks, but under close direction and guidance.
- Able to perform simple tasks in the line of work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
For each kind of work listed below that you can do, write the job numbers or other item numbers to show where you did it.
- Work which does not involve close tolerance, such as trimming and filing and the use of simple fastening devices.
- Work requiring close tolerance, including cutting, filing, fitting, straightening, etc., and fastening by use of bolts, screws, rivets, etc.
- Work requiring unusual precision, such as where exacting tolerances are involved.
For each kind of work, write the number of each statement below that shows your ability. Give examples of the more difficult work you have done.
1. Have not done.
2. Have assisted.
3. Have done under guidance.
4. Have shared responsibility with others.
5. Have been fully responsible.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-F
Assembly, Disassembly, And Reassembly Of Mechanical Equipment)
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Skill in positioning, fitting, adjusting, and securing the parts of a mechanical unit; separating the parts for repair or maintenance, cleaning, lubricating, etc. This includes skill in using precision tools and machines and in soldering, riveting, or securing parts mechanically, and removal of fastening devices. Compare Element 86-G, Assembly of Machine Parts.
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of complexity of assembly, disassembly and reassembly operations may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Work requiring precision assembly of details machined to close tolerance:
Examples in sheet-metal work - Assembly, reassembly, and disassembly where units are highly complex; complex alinement and fitting problems are encountered such as bellows in vacuum assemblies or complex joints cold traps, etc.; disassembly where a gas torch is required without damage to delicate parts.
Examples in gearing and bearing work - Assembly, disassembly, and reassembly of components where complicated dovetails, gearing, bearings, high speed universal joints, etc., are involved; complex alinement and fitting problems are encountered as in transmission and differential assemblies, etc.
- Chiseling, soldering, filing, fitting component parts, straightening and reaming for taper pins; producing detail assemblies to tolerances of .005 inch, requiring soldering in addition to bolting, riveting, etc.
- Making detail assemblies to tolerance of .010 inch.
- Assembling, disassembling, and reassembling equipment such as duct systems and ventilators which involve bolting, riveting, use of screws, welding and soldering, and countersinking and counterboring.
- Making assemblies which are fully exposed such as storage cabinets, bookcase assemblies, or similar assemblies using screws and bolts with interconnecting units and where tolerances and leakage are not factors.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to do work requiring unusual precision in the line of work.
Common
Able to do complete jobs on his or her own initiative which involve all common assembly, disassembly and reassembly typical of the journeyman job in the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to do common tasks typical of the journeyman job in the line of work under close guidance and supervision (especially where the finer tolerances are involved).
- Where units are less complex and where damage is less of a factor, able to assemble, disassemble, and reassemble components.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Tell about your experience and training in disassembling equipment and in assembling - positioning aliening, adjusting, and securing systems, parts, or units.
2. Give examples of such work, tolerances held, difficulties encountered, etc.
3. Mention types of fastening you used such as riveting, soldering, bolting, and welding.
4. Describe your ability to do reaming, counterboring, countersinking, chiseling, filing, etc.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-G
Assembly Of Machined Parts
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Skill in positioning, fitting, adjusting, and securing the parts of a mechanical unit, completing the units after parts have been machined. This involves soldering, riveting, or securing parts mechanically. Compare Element 86-F, Assembly, Disassembly, and Reassembly (of Mechanical Equipment).
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of precision of assembly may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Assembling components machined to very close tolerances and involving dovetails, ball, roller, and thrust bearings, keyways and splines; fitting, scraping, and alining gears, worms and worm wheels; reading and analyzing drawings, checking notes on drawings for types of material, finishes, plating, etc.; soldering and brazing; lapping and honing of holes and spacers; making jigs and fixtures for welded, soldered or bolted details; machining parts necessary to complete assembly; working to tolerances of ± .0005.
- Doing assembly work involving chiseling, filing, and fitting component parts; making detail subassemblies to tolerances of ± .010; assembling components requiring welding, soldering, bolting, riveting, and use of screws; reaming for taper pins; counterboring and countersinking; rebuilding or replacing worn parts.
-Installation of safety wire and cotter keys when vibration is a factor.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to assemble components requiring unusual precision in fitting of details machined to unusually close tolerances in the line of work.
Common
Able to do the common assembly functions typical of the journeyman job in the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to perform the common assembly work typical of the journeyman job, but under close supervision and guidance. Able to do the simpler tasks in the line of work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe your experience and training in assembling mechanical units: alining, adjusting, and fastening.
2. Tell about your skill in reaming, counterboring, countersinking, chiseling, filing, buffing, and riveting, or refer to another element where you have described these skills.
3. To what tolerances have you worked?
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-H
Buffing And Polishing
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to obtain smooth finish on metal surfaces using a very fine abrasive (that has been applied in the form of a grease stick) on cloth or leather wheel against which the work is held by hand.
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of complexity may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Work requiring extreme caution in maintaining contours, radii, close dimensions or uniformity of shape to especially close tolerances (usually ± .005 inch).
- Repetitive work where dimensions are considered but are not highly critical (tolerance of ± .010 inch).
- Scratch brushing where irregularity in dimension is unimportant.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to do the more demanding and diversified handwork.
Common
Able to do the common buffing and polishing operations in the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to do the common buffing and polishing operations, under close supervision and guidance.
- Able to do the simpler work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
Describe your experience in buffing and polishing metal surfaces. To what tolerance have you worked.
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-I
Scraping
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to use a hardened steel hand scraper to remove very small amounts of metal from high spots on a metal surface.
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of precision and complexity may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Scraping lathe beds, surface plates etc., to produce accuracy of .0002 inch or better; matching scraped surfaces; manufacturing and using master plate for "scraping in" other surfaces.
- Scraping to tolerance of .0005 inch.
- Scraping to produce ornamental effect of frosting, spotting, or snowflaking on instrument panel, or elsewhere where dimensions are not critical.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to scrape to unusually fine tolerances in the line of work.
Common
Able to scrape to produce common dimensions in the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to scrape to common dimensions in the line of work under close supervision and guidance.
- Able to do simple scraping in the line of work.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe your experience and training in use of a hardened steel hand scraper to remove metal from high spots.
2. Show the kind of work and purpose?
3. To what tolerance did you work?
RATING GUIDE NO. 86-J
Fitting
DESCRIPTION OF JOB ELEMENT
Ability to achieve accurate fits by grinding, scraping, chipping, filing, reaming, tapping, and drilling parts of assemblies, using small handtools and power tools.
WORK EXAMPLES
The following degrees of accuracy and complexity of fitting may be found in one or more lines of work:
- Fitting for the more precise parts such as automotive and machine tool parts where light grade lubrication is important; fitting bearing assemblies involving knowledge of different classes of fits and clearance between parts for special lubricants.
-Fitting where accuracy is important, e.g., to achieve freedom of movement without excessive looseness (such as in assembling farm or mining machinery); or to obtain a permanent fit and assembly of steel parts when the metal is highly stressed (such as in replacing tires on locomotive wheels when the outer parts are expanded by heating and the cooling inner parts are allowed to shrink fit).
- Fitting in the assembly of small power tools.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
Most Difficult
Able to do the more accurate fitting in the line of work.
Common
Able to do fitting work which involves the common operations of the line of work.
Less Difficult
- Able to do fitting work which involves the common operations of the line of work under close supervision.
- Able to do fitting work where the operations listed in the definition of this element are used to a more limited extent than at the common level of ability.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe your experience and training in getting accurate fits by grinding, scraping, chipping, filing, tapping, and drilling.
2. What was the purpose of the fitting operation?
3. What classes of fit were involved?
RATING GUIDE NO. 87
Reliability And Dependability as a _______________ (Specify title of position)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELEMENT
For support jobs, candidates frequently have had no experience in the job for which they are being rated. Reliability and dependability must be judged in terms of past performance in school, as a citizen in the community, and in jobs that may be different from the job vacancy for which they are being rated. Information about school attendance, other records, and previous employment should be secured, if practicable.
For apprentice and higher level jobs, more detailed and often more closely relevant information on Element 87 can usually be secured from supervisors, coworkers, and the candidates.
CONSIDERATION IN EVALUATING INFORMATION ABOUT THE ELEMENT
One consideration in rating this element is information from previous supervisors, teachers, etc., who may report characteristics such as unproductivity, lack of energy and motivation, carelessness, and lack of dependability. The rater should consider the seriousness of the reported circumstances, whether the reporter was in a position to observe reliably, and whether the deficiencies resulted in action such as dismissal. All information should be weighed. If there is conflicting information, more weight should be given to reports by references who have had the better and more recent opportunity to observe, and who have observed in a situation most closely resembling the job to be filled. A reference who is known from previous instances to be biased or to have unusual standards should be considered accordingly. The interest and care demonstrated by a reference in giving information is a factor in deciding the weight to be given to the information supplied.
An important point with respect to past deficiencies is whether the deficiencies are likely to be shown on the new job. Sometimes, an employee appears to be undependable because of circumstances that are specific to a particular situation, and the deficiency is not likely to appear in the new job. The rater should weigh all available facts before making a decision. Every application is individual, and combinations of circumstances differ. Each fact in the record is surrounded by attendant circumstances that must be considered. It is not expected that the rater will conduct a full investigation to uncover all facts, but he or she should consider all available information. The following examples are given as illustrations of the interrelation of circumstances:
1. John Lewis has no interest in academic work, and had a poor school attendance record. However, he showed good attendance in a part-time job and in trade courses. The academic attendance record should be ignored if the new job will involve little academic training or interest in academic work.
2. Prior jobs required the job applicant to carry heavy loads, however a physical condition impaired his or her ability and resulted in a less than satisfactory performance evaluation . A determination should be made whether physical strength and stamina is required in the current job vacancy before deciding whether this physical deficiency may indicate unreliability.
3. During prosperous economic periods, when workers are in demand, an applicant's record shows frequent changes of jobs and companies with no period of employment lasting more than three months and no apparent justification for the job shifts. This information may justify a low rating in Element 87 for any position where excessive turnover would be expensive or otherwise troublesome. Conversely, in times when contracts were being canceled and unemployment was widespread, an applicant may have had a series of jobs of short duration (some at considerably lower salary than a previous job). This information does not in itself reflect on dependability.
RELATION OF ELEMENT 87 TO SUITABILITY AND INVESTIGATION
Element 87 measures a combination of abilities and personal characteristics in terms of a particular job. Where it is a screen-out element, it is part of the minimum standard; and a candidate who does not meet the requirement is ineligible.
A suitability investigation covers only general personal fitness. Job applicants may be unqualified in Element 87 even if they would be judged suitable in a suitability investigation. On the other hand, job applicants may meet Element 87 and nevertheless be found generally unsuitable for Federal employment in a suitability investigation because of questionable loyalty to the United States, criminal record, etc.
LEVELS OF ABILITY
The Element, Reliability and Dependability relates to personal characteristics. Credit point levels show the degrees to which these characteristics may be demonstrated:
4-Point Credit
Able to render continuous and dependable service in situations relevant to the kind of position applied for.
3-Point Credit
Demonstrated dependability in situations pertinent to the job vacancy with no negative evidence.
2-Credit
Satisfactory potential (no seriously derogatory information).
Zero Credit
Cannot be depended upon to perform duties of the position because of unreliability.
SAMPLE QUESTIONS
1. Describe any work situations that show you are a steady, reliable worker.
2. Cite any other evidence to show that you would be a reliable worker such as activities in school, community, military service, and work assignments.
3. If you have not been able to hold any recent job for a year, explain why you left.
SAMPLE CHECKLIST FOR RELIABILITY
| Check each item that applies to you. | Give Job Number or Describe Work Situation. | Give details for each item you checked. |
| - Received commendation from work, school, or military service. | ||
| - During past 5 years, have failed to finish a training program or jobs lasted less than a year. | ||
| - During past 5 years, disciplinary action was taken against me or I was fired from a job. | ||
| - Received better than average school grades or job appraisals. |
Page Updated 11 July 2000
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