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OPM.gov / Suitability / Suitability Training

Suitability Training

 

Overview

Suitability Training Offered by Suitability Executive Agent Programs

Suitability Executive Agent Programs provides training on suitability determination and action procedures. Training announcements can be found on the following links:

These training programs are compliant with the National Training Standards for Suitability Adjudicators.

Information for Hiring Managers or Human Resource Professionals

Are you a hiring manager or human resource professional who would like to know more about suitability adjudications? If so, this Suitability Orientation video is for you! In an effort to provide increased visibility and improved access to educational resources, Suitability Executive Agent Programs is pleased to offer a Suitability Orientation. For more information, follow this link:

Fundamentals of Suitability for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators

The Fundamentals of Suitability for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators (Fundamentals) is a five day instructor-led course that covers the fundamentals of adjudication of character and conduct through application of the criteria at title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, part 731. It is intended for those adjudicating suitability under OPM delegation or making fitness determinations applying equivalent criteria. This program is compliant with the Fundamental level objectives of the National Training Standards for Suitability Adjudicators.

Upon course completion, attendees will:

  • Know how to identify suitability concerns
  • Apply the process for making determinations through consistent application of standards
  • Understand the importance of proper position designation
  • Exercise suitability/fitness reciprocity

 

Course Offerings:

 

Date Location Registration Deadline
March 13-17, 2023 Virtual

February 13, 2023

March 27-31, 2023

Virtual

February 27, 2023

April 24-28, 2023 Virtual

March 24, 2023

May 22-26, 2023 Virtual

April 21, 2023

June 26-30, 2023 Virtual

May 26, 2023

July 24-July 28, 2023 Virtual

June 23, 2023

August 7-11, 2023 Virtual

July 7, 2023

September 18-22, 2023 Virtual

August 18, 2023

 

The course is held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT)

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of the online Introduction to Suitability course is required prior to attendance. Access is given upon registration. The Introduction to Suitability course takes approximately three hours to complete.

Registration:

Registration is limited to current Federal employees in the Executive Branch who have responsibility for making or assisting with suitability or fitness determinations. Federal contractors with responsibility for supporting an agency’s suitability/fitness adjudication process may also register for the course if sponsored by the Federal agency. To register, please complete the registration form and send to SuitEAtraining@opm.gov. Please note the registration deadlines for each course. Registration for the course will be confirmed via email. Please call 724-794-7196 with any questions. There is no tuition fee for this course, but any expenses incurred by attendees, such as travel, meals, or lodging, are the responsibility of the agency.

Suitability Action Procedures for Suitability Adjudicators

This four day instructor led course provides an in-depth study of the basis and application of suitability action procedures as described in title 5, Code of Federal Regulations part 731 for covered positions which are positions in the competitive service, positions in the excepted service that non-competitively convert to the competitive service, and career appointments to the Senior Executive Service.

The course is designed to enable students who adjudicate covered positions to:

  • Demonstrate the advanced skills required to recommend or take suitability actions in cases for which an unfavorable suitability determination has been made.
  • Evaluate the probative weight of evidence when considering a suitability action.
  • Write proposed action letters and consider answers; prepare for materials relied upon requests; determine appropriate actions and apply required procedures for final action letters; and recognize appeal procedures.

This course is compliant with the Advanced level objectives of the National Training Standards for Suitability Adjudicators.

Course Offerings:

 

Date Location Registration Deadline

June 20-23, 2023

Virtual

May 19, 2023

September 5-8, 2023

Virtual

August 4, 2023

The course is held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EDT)

Prerequisites:

This course is open to current Federal employees in the Executive Branch with responsibility for recommending or taking suitability actions under OPM delegation in cases involving covered positions. Agency suitability action procedures are described in 5 CFR part 731 subpart D and involve issuing written notification of the proposed and final actions. A suitability action is one or more of the following: cancellation of eligibility; removal; cancellation of reinstatement eligibility; and debarment. Individuals subject to a suitability action are afforded the right to appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Attendees must have successfully completed training compliant with the Introduction and Fundamental level objectives of the National Training Standards for Suitability Adjudicators.

Registration:

To register, please complete the registration form and send to SuitEAtraining@opm.gov. Please note the registration deadlines for each course. Registration for the course will be confirmed via email. Please call 724-794-7196 with any questions. There is no tuition fee for this course, but any expenses incurred by attendees, such as for travel, meals, or lodging, are the responsibility of the agency.

Suitability Orientation

Suitability Orientation (Video)

Are you a hiring manager or human resource professional who would like to know more about suitability processes? If so, this Suitability Orientation is for you! In an effort to provide increased visibility and improved access to educational resources, Suitability Executive Agent Programs is pleased to offer the Suitability Orientation.

Public service requires high standards of integrity and trust in the Federal workforce. By assessing suitability, agencies evaluate information from an individual’s background with the intent of identifying evidence of character or conduct that may be in conflict with the integrity and efficiency of the Federal service.

The Suitability Orientation provides an overview of the process for vetting suitability. After a brief introduction, it is divided into three parts:

  • Part one describes the purpose of suitability review; offers an explanation of basic terminology; introduces the suitability criteria; describes agency versus OPM responsibilities; and provides an overview of action procedures and the appeal process. It starts at timestamp 02:10.
  • Part two covers the basics of position designation; suitability and fitness reciprocity; the types of background investigations; and reporting requirements. It starts at timestamp 41:26.
  • Part three gives a brief history of the civil service along with references to pertinent authorities. It starts at timestamp 56:19. A list of resources, start at timestamp 70:06.

You can watch the Suitability Orientation video here.

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