Head Staff’s Guide to Federal Jobs Part 2C Wage Grade

Head Staff’s Guide to Federal Jobs Part 2C Wage Grade

Part 2- Open to the Public Competitive Hiring – Qualifications Part 2C Wage Grade WG

To remember where we are- we are in the competitive service with jobs open to the public. (Sometimes called Delegated Examining or DE because OPM has delegated the authority to the agency. The agency is acting on behalf of OPM and so must follow OPM’s rules.

Wage Grade (WG) positions are part of the Federal Wage System (FWS). WG positions are the worker positions. There are also WL (Wage Leader) and WS (Wage Supervisor) positions. Like GS, there are up to 15 grades for each type of position. There are only 5 steps in the grade, rather than 10 in the GS system. These are the blue collar jobs in Federal Service.

Here are the job families for WG Jobs-

· WG-2500 - Wire Communications Equipment Installation And Maintenance Family

· WG-2600 - Electronic Equipment Installation And Maintenance Family

· WG-2700 - Quartz Crystal Work Family

· WG-2800 - Electrical Installation And Maintenance Family

· WG-2900 - Electronic Equipment Operation Family

· WG-3100 - Fabric And Leather Work Family

· WG-3200 - Glass Work Family

· WG-3300 - Instrument Work Family

· WG-3400 - Machine Tool Work Family

· WG-3500 - General Services And Support Work Family

· WG-3600 - Structural And Finishing Work Family

· WG-3700 - Metal Processing Family

· WG-3800 - Metal Work Family

· WG-3900 - Motion Picture, Radio, Television, And Sound Equipment Operation Family

· WG-4000 - Lens And Crystal Work Family

· WG-4100 - Painting And Paperhanging Family

· WG-4200 - Plumbing And Pipefitting Family

· WG-4300 - Pliable Materials Work Family

· WG-4400 - Printing Family

· WG-4500 - Rubber Work Family

· WG-4600 - Wood Work Family

· WG-4700 - General Maintenance And Operations Work Family

· WG-4800 - General Equipment Maintenance Family

· WG-4900 - Plastic Materials Manufacturing Family

· WG-5000 - Plant And Animal Work Family

· WG-5200 - Miscellaneous Occupations Family

· WG-5300 - Industrial Equipment Maintenance Family

· WG-5400 - Industrial Equipment Operation Family

· WG-5500 - Quarry Work Family

· WG-5600 - Currency, Securities, Coin, And Medal Manufacturing Family

· WG-5700 - Transportation/Mobile Equipment Operation Family

· WG-5800 - Transportation/Mobile Equipment Maintenance Family

· WG-5900 - Marine Operations Family

· WG-6000 - Railroad Operations Family

· WG-6100 - Railroad Maintenance Family

· WG-6200 - Marine Maintenance Family

· WG-6500 - Ammunition, Explosive, And Toxic Materials Work Family

· WG-6600 - Armament Work Family

· WG-6700 - Manufacture And Repair Shop Operation Family

· WG-6900 - Warehousing And Stock Handling Family

· WG-7000 - Packing And Processing Family

· WG-7300 - Laundry, Dry Cleaning And Pressing Family

· WG-7400 - Food Preparation And Serving Family

· WG-7500 - Medical Services Family

· WG-7600 - Personal Services Family

· WG-7700 - Animal Care Taking Family

· WG-8200 - Fluid Systems Maintenance Family

· WG-8300 - Instrumentation Family

· WG-8400 - Reclamation Work Family

· WG-8500 - Aircraft Propeller Overhaul Family

· WG-8600 - Engine Overhaul Family

· WG-8700 - Manufacture, Repair, And Industrial Support Supervising Family

· WG-8800 - Aircraft Overhaul Family

· WG-9000 - Film Processing Family

Not every job will have all 15 grades. WG-14 and WG-15 jobs are very rare.

The key focus of qualification for WG positions is the ability to do the work of the position. You do not have to have done the work for a certain amount of time and there is no education substitution. Jobs have a screen out element- which is often ability to do the work of the position without normal supervision. If you do not pass this, you are out. Each element can be rated from 0-4 points. 2 is passing, so you must score at least a 2 on the screen out. In addition, you have to score an AVERAGE of two points on all elements to be considered qualified.

Here are elements for a WG-10 plumber job

1. Ability to do the work of the position without more than normal supervision. (SCREEN OUT) (OPM Job Element 1)
2. Measure and Layout. (OPM Job Element 80-A)
3. Knowledge of Equipment Assembly, Installation, Repair, etc. (OPM Job Element 2E)
4. Ability to Interpret Instructions, Specifications, etc. (includes blueprint reading) (OPM Job Element 75A)
5. Ability to Use and Maintain Tools and Equipment (OPM Job Element 81)

Since there are five elements, you must receive a total score of 10 – with at least two points in the screen out to be considered and move forward in the process.

As always, questions or suggestions for improvement are welcome.