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SES Frequently Asked
Questions
About SES
Facts & Figures
Recruitment & Selection
Performance & Compensation
Executive Development
Miscellaneous
Q.
What does the SES insignia symbolize?
A. The SES insignia or emblem represents a keystone -- the center
stone that holds all the stones of an arch in place. This represents
the critical role of the SES as a central coordinating point
between Government's political leadership which sets the political
agenda and the line workers who implement it. Members of the
SES translate that political agenda into reality. The upright
lines in the center of the keystone represent a column in which
individual SES members are united into a single leadership corps.
There is no particular symbolism to the number of lines, which
has varied over the years with different iterations of the logo.
The SES insignia can not be modified.
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Q. What's the difference between SES, ST, and
SL positions?
A. SES positions are classified above GS-15 or equivalent. The
position involves one or more of the criteria set forth in 5
USC 3132 (e.g., directing the work of an organization, monitoring
progress toward organizational goals, etc.).
ST (scientific and professional) positions are classified above
the GS-15 level and involve high-level research and development.
ST positions are established under 5 USC 3104 and are always
in the competitive service.
SL (senior level) positions are classified above GS-15. The work
of the position does not meet the SES criteria nor does it involve
the fundamental research and development responsibilities that
are characteristic of ST positions. SL positions may be in either
the competitive or excepted service.
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Q.
Where do I find information about the number of SES who receive
Presidential Rank Awards and bonuses (performance awards)?
A. Historical information about both types of awards is published
in OPM's "The Fact Book & Federal Civilian Workforce Statistics".
Q.
Where can I apply for SES positions?
A. All SES vacancies are advertised on OPM's website: www.usajobs.gov.
- From this site, you may download announcements for vacancies
of interest to you.
Q.
Do veterans receive hiring preference for SES positions?
A. No. The reason is that 5 USC 2108(3) which defines the term
"preference eligible" provides that this term does
not include applicants for, or members of, the Senior Executive
Service.
Q.
What kind of forms do I need to complete when I apply for an
SES position?
A. You may submit a resume or an Optional Application for Federal
Employment (OF-612 which you may download from OPM's website)
in accordance to the vacancy announcement instructions. Check
the vacancy announcement for additional forms or documents required
by the agency/department to which you are applying. Take particular
note of the information you must provide if you submit a resume
instead of an OF-612.
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Q. The vacancy announcement says I must submit
supplemental documents addressing how I meet the mandatory Executive
Core Qualifications (ECQs). How do I address these?
A. The "Guide to Senior Executive Service Qualifications"
contains information about the ECQs and samples you may use to
develop your own statements.
Q.
What are the 3 types of Qualifications Review Board (QRB) cases?
A. Criterion A cases are based on demonstrated executive experience.
Candidates must demonstrate that they have experience/competence
in all 5 ECQs.
Criterion B cases are based on successful participation in an
OPM approved SES Candidate Development Program (SESCDP). Candidates
who compete governmentwide and successfully complete a CDP are
eligible for non-competitive appointment to the SES. (However,
successful completion does not guarantee placement in the SES.)
Criterion C cases are based on the candidate's having special
or unique qualities that indicate a likelihood of success in
the SES. Candidates must demonstrate that they have the qualifications
for the position and the potential to quickly acquire full competence
in the 5 ECQs. The package submitted for QRB approval must contain
the agency's assessment of why the selectee uniquely qualifies
for the position, and an Individual Development Plan that focuses
on the specific ECQs that need to be enhanced.
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Q.
I believe I am qualified for the Senior Executive Service because
of the executive type positions I have held. How do I go about
obtaining SES certification from OPM?
A. You must first identify a position to apply for. Agencies
announce their SES vacancies on OPM's website USAJOBS. From there,
you may download information on vacancies of interest to you,
complete the application procedures, and submit your application
to the agency that has the vacancy. The agency submits the executive
core qualifications of the person selected to a Qualifications
Review Board (QRB) convened by OPM. The QRB must certify all
selectees before they can be appointed to the SES. Further information
about the selection process is available elsewhere on this site.
Q.
If I send OPM my written responses to the Executive Core Qualifications
(ECQs), will you give me your opinion and any suggestions for
improvements?
A. No. OPM will not pre-review ECQ statements. To do so would
be a conflict of interest since we administer the Qualification
Review Boards, and would also provide the requestor with an unfair
advantage over other applicants.
Q.
Do I need to address each Fundamental Competency within each
Executive Core Qualification (ECQ)?
A. No. Because the Fundamental Competencies are cross-cutting,
they should be addressed over the course of the ECQ narrative.
It is not necessary to address them directly as long as the narrative,
in its totality, shows mastery of these competencies on the whole.
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Q.
Will I be assessed on all of the competencies?
A. No. You will be assessed on each ECQ, not on the individual
competencies (although you are expected to demonstrate mastery
of the Fundamental Competencies somewhere within your narrative
statement).
Q.
What happened to the key characteristics?
A. We reviewed the key characteristics and determined this information
was not essential to the application process. For further clarification
of the ECQs, candidates may refer to the competency definitions.
Q.
What are the current pay rates for SES jobs?
A. The current pay rates for SES jobs can be found at www.opm.gov.
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Q.
Is there a difference between acting in an SES position and being
detailed to one? Am I entitled to SES pay while I am detailed
to or acting in such a position?
A. There is some difference between acting in and being detailed
to an SES position. OPM defines "acting" to mean a
situation in which (for instance) a Deputy's position description
includes authority and responsibility to perform the duties of
an SES level Director's position in that Director's absence.
This "acting" authority is meant to cover a short term
absence or vacancy. When an acting assignment extends to the
lengths of time discussed in 5 CFR 317.903, the provisions of
that section, including requirements for competition, apply.
These restrictions are appropriate since the opportunity to serve
under detail in an SES position may provide an advantage in competing
for SES positions in the future. OPM regulations on details to
SES positions are found at 5 CFR 317.903. Under that section,
a detail includes "the temporary assignment of a non-SES
member to an SES position, with the expectation that the employee
will return to the official position of record upon expiration
of the detail." The regulation provides that, "For
purposes of pay and benefits, the employee continues to encumber
the position from which detailed." That is, a GS-15 who
is detailed to a SES position continues to be paid at the GS-15
rate of pay of his or her position of record. Paragraph (b) of
the regulation (5 CFR 317.903) describes procedures and time
lengths for detailing a non-SES member to an SES position. It
requires agencies to use competitive procedures for any detail
exceeding 240 days. Agencies must receive OPM approval before
detailing for longer than 240 days a non-SES member to an SES
position that supervises other members of the SES.
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Q.
Am I eligible to earn credit hours if I participate in my agency's
Alternative Work Schedule (AWS) Program?
A. No. Credit hours are a form of premium pay, SES members are
not eligible. (5 CFR 610.408)
Q.
Can I earn compensatory time?
A. No. Compensatory time is another form of premium pay, SES
members are not eligible. (5 CFR 610.408)
Q. What are the eligibility requirements for
a "last move home" for a member of the SES?
A. You must be a career member of the SES to be eligible for
a "last move home." SES members on non-career and limited-term/emergency
appointments are not eligible. Under 5 U.S.C. 5724(a)(3), retiring
career appointees are entitled to travel, transportation, and
household goods expenses to the place where they will live if:
They retire after 9/22/88. They were moved geographically as
a career appointee in the SES (either reassigned or transferred
in the career SES or appointed into the career SES at the new
duty station); and At the time of the geographic move, they were
eligible for optional retirement, or were within 5 years of optional
retirement, or were eligible for discontinued service retirement.
The General Services Administration regulates payment of travel
and transportation expenses. Contact your agency's travel or
human resources office for further information and guidance.
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Q.
Is there any program that will help me prepare to become an SES
member?
A. Yes. SES Candidate Development Programs are competitive programs
designed to develop the executive qualifications of employees
with strong executive potential. Participation in an SESCDP is
not a prerequisite for obtaining an SES appointment.
Q.
Where can I get information about SES Candidate Development Programs
(SESCDPs)?
A. Visit www.opm.gov for information about SES Candidate
Development Programs. You may also visit www.opm.gov for information about OPM's Federal
Candidate Development Program (FED CDP). Agencies and departments
that recruit for SESCDP participants must advertise on OPM's
website USAJOBS.
Q.
Are members of the SES subject to the Federal Hatch Act?
A. Yes. The Hatch Act, administered by the Office of Special
Counsel (OSC), restricts the political activity of executive
branch employees of the Federal Government, District of Columbia
government and some state and local employees who work in connection
with federally funded programs. Go to OSC's website for additional
information.
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Q.
Are members of the SES allowed to join Federal labor unions?
A. Union membership is not prohibited. However, a labor union
cannot represent a member of the SES in a grievance, and its
contract provisions do not apply to the SES.
Q.
What is the established protocol for SES members?
A. For guidance on SES protocol, contact your agency's human
resources office.
Q.
Is there an association for the Senior Executive Service?
A. Yes. The Senior Executive Association (SEA) is a professional
association representing the interests of the members of the
career Senior Executive Service. SEA maintains a website where
members may access valuable resources from legal help (ie: professional
liability insurance) and member forums to information on how
to obtain SES flags, lapel pins, and other SES items.
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