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:

• Fundamentals of Suitability for Suitability and Fitness Adjudicators
• Suitability Action Procedures for Suitability Adjudicators

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

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

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 go to our Eventbrite page, select an available class, and complete the registration form.  Registrations will only be accepted with a valid government email for both the registrant and supervisor.  Please note the registration deadlines for each course.  Registration for the course will be confirmed via email from Eventbrite, you will receive a calendar invite for the Q&A session (held the week prior to the course) that will contain information on how to access the session, as well as the course materials and Introductory course. Please email SuitEAtraining@opm.gov or 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.

If you are on a VPN and are experiencing difficulty registering, please consider registering while not on a VPN.

If you elect to join a waitlist for a course, please consider registering for an available class as a backup.  Waitlists are not guaranteed seats and are specific to that course date.  If you are offered a seat from the waitlist, please cancel your registration for the class  you selected as a backup.

Canceling your Attendance:

If you must cancel your registration for any reason, we ask that you do so as soon as possible so that others can be afforded the opportunity to attend in your spot.  You can cancel by using the “View and manage your order online” hyperlink at the bottom of your registration email.  Select “Email me a login link” and enter the email address you used to register in the pop-up window.  Eventbrite will send an email with a link to log in.  Once logged in, select “Cancel Order” and follow the prompts.

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:

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 go to our Eventbrite page, select an available class, and complete the registration form.  Registrations will only be accepted with a valid government email for both the registrant and supervisor.  Please note the registration deadlines for each course.  Registration for the course will be confirmed via email from Eventbrite, you will receive a calendar invite for the Q&A session (held the week prior to the course) that will contain information on how to access the session, as well as the course materials. Please email SuitEAtraining@opm.gov or 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.

If you are on a VPN and are experiencing difficulty registering, please consider registering while not on a VPN.

If you elect to join a waitlist for a course, please consider registering for an available class as a backup.  Waitlists are not guaranteed seats and are specific to that course date.  If you are offered a seat from the waitlist, please cancel your registration for the class  you selected as a backup.

Canceling your Attendance:

If you must cancel your registration for any reason, we ask that you do so as soon as possible so that others can be afforded the opportunity to attend in your spot.  You can cancel by using the “View and manage your order online” hyperlink at the bottom of your registration email.  Select “Email me a login link” and enter the email address you used to register in the pop-up window.  Eventbrite will send an email with a link to log in.  Once logged in, select “Cancel Order” and follow the prompts.

Suitability Orientation (Video)

Video link removed.  New content coming soon!