Section 1: Overview

Pursuant to Section 31(1) of the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA), Treasury Board, as employer, is responsible for establishing qualification standards in relation to education, knowledge, experience, occupational certification, language or other qualifications that the employer considers necessary or desirable having regard to the nature of the work to be performed and the present and future needs of the public service. The Office of the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO) develops and maintains these standards on behalf of the employer.

Organization of the Qualification Standards

The Occupational Group Qualification Standards are no longer organized according to occupational categories because they were repealed by the Public Service Reform Act (PSRA) in April 1993.

In 1999, Treasury Board approved a streamlined Occupational Group Structure, that maintained the existing bargaining agent affiliation and amalgamated some groups. Consequently, the Occupational Group Qualification Standards are organized according to the occupational group structure that was approved in March 1999 and further restructured in 2005. A table showing a cross-walk between the Occupational Group Structure before and after 1999 is provided in Section 2 for ease of reference.

The occupational group qualification standards for the pre-1999 occupational groups are still in use, as are many of the classification standards. As OCHRO develops and implements classification standards for the 1999 occupational groups, corresponding qualification standards will also be developed.

The Qualification Standards are organized into three related sections:

• The first section provides an overview of the organization and application of the Qualification Standards.
• The second section outlines conditions applicable to the Occupational Group Qualification Standards and provides the actual minimum standard in terms of education, occupational certification, etc. for most of the pre-1999 occupational groups.
• The third section, the Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages, outlines the different levels of official language proficiency qualifications required for making appointments and deployments to bilingual positions in the core public administration.

Application

All of the occupational groups in the public service are referred to in the Occupational Group Qualification Standards. However, specific qualification standards do not currently exist for some occupational groups (i.e., SR (C), SR (E), SR (W) and SV).

The Qualification Standards in Relation to Official Languages apply to all positions in the core public administration that, according to Treasury Board policy, are identified as bilingual.

The Qualification Standards must be adhered to by deputy heads for all appointment processes and for all intra-group and inter-group deployments and deployments from separate agencies, except:

• Student Employment Programs designated by the Treasury Board;
• Acting appointments of less than 4 months in duration;
• Casual employment, as noted in Subsection 50(3) of the PSEA; and
• Part-time workers (-12.5 hours/week).

NOTE: In accordance with Subsection 51(2) of the PSEA, before a deployment can take place from a separate agency that does not fall under the PSEA, the PSC must first have reviewed and approved the staffing program at that agency.

These standards are to be applied within the context of the appointment process as outlined in the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) as well as the PSC Appointment Policy Framework.

Section 2: Occupational Group Qualification Standards

Part 1: Types of Qualifications and Conditions Applicable to the Occupational Group Qualification Standards

Part 2: Occupational Group Qualification Standards

NOTE: In March, 1999, Treasury Board approved a streamlined occupational group structure. Consequently, the occupational group qualification standards are currently organized by the occupational groups approved in March 1999 (see Column A below). Once conversion takes place to an occupational group in Column A (see below) and a new qualification standard is approved and implemented for that group, the qualification standards for the corresponding pre-1999 groups in Column B (see below) will cease to exist.

Column A Current occupational groups, as of March 1999	Column B Qualification standard for pre-1999 occupational groups
AI Air Traffic Control	AI Air Traffic Control
AO Aircraft Operations	AO Aircraft Operations
AV Audit, Commerce and Purchasing	AU Auditing CO Commerce PG Purchasing and Supply
CS Computer Systems	CS Computer Systems
CX Correctional Services	CX Correctional Services
EB Education and Library Science	ED Education EU Educational Support LS Library Science
EC Economics and Social Science Services	Former ES Economics, Sociology and Statistics Former SI Social Science Support
EL Electronics	EL Electronics
EX Executive	EX Executive
FB Border Services	Not applicable
FI Financial Management	FI Financial Administration
FS Foreign Service	FS Foreign Service
HM Human Resources Management	OM Organization and Methods PE Personnel Administration
LA Law	LA Law
NR Architecture, Engineering and Land Survey	AR Architecture and Town Planning EN Engineering and Land Survey
PA Program and Administrative Services	AS Administrative Services CR Clerical and Regulatory CM Communications DA Data Processing OE Office Equipment ST Secretarial, Stenographic and Typing IS Information Services PM Programme Administration WP Welfare Programmes OM Organization and Methods (Forms Design)
PR (Non-S) Non-Supervisory Printing Services	No qualification standard
RE Research	DS Defence Scientific Service HR Historical Research MA Mathematics SE Scientific Research
RO Radio Operations	RO Radio Operations
SH Health Services	DE Dentistry MD Medicine ND Nutrition and Dietetics NU Nursing OP Occupational and Physical Therapy PH Pharmacy PS Psychology SW Social Work VM Veterinary Medicine
SO Ships' Officers	SO Ships' Officers
SP Applied Science and Patent Examination	AC Actuarial Science AG Agriculture BI Biological Sciences CH Chemistry FO Forestry MT Meteorology PC Physical Sciences SG Scientific Regulation
SR (C) Ship Repair Chargehands and Production Supervisors - East	No qualification standard
SR (E) Ship Repair - East	No qualification standard
SR (W) Ship Repair - West	No qualification standard
SV Operational Services	No standard: FR Firefighters GL General Labour and Trades GS General Services HP Heating, Power & Stationary Plant HS Hospital Services LI Lightkeepers PR(S) Printing Services (S) SC Ships Crews
TC Technical Services	DD Drafting and Illustration EG Engineering and Scientific Support GT General Technical PI Primary Products Inspection PY Photography TI Technical Inspection
TR Translation	TR Translation
UT University Teaching	UT University Teaching

Part 1: Types of Qualifications and Conditions Applicable to the Occupational Group Qualification Standards

Types of Qualifications

The following types of qualifications are recognized:

• Education
• Knowledge
• Experience
• Occupational certification
• Official language proficiency
• Abilities / Skills
• Aptitudes
• Personal suitability

Keep in mind that there is no requirement that every type of qualification mentioned above be used in the Statement of Merit Criteria.

Each type of qualification is defined below. Part 2 of this section prescribes specific qualification standards that apply to certain occupational groups.

Education refers to academic, vocational, or technical studies and training acknowledged through a credential or other official documentation from, or accepted by a recognized Canadian educational institution. Formal training from federal government departments or organizations, agencies, or other institutions considered appropriate by the manager of the position being staffed is also acceptable. Specific standards with respect to Education exist for certain groups and levels. Alternatives to Education may also be applicable for certain groups. Applicable education standards and alternatives are outlined below.

Knowledge refers to the awareness and understanding of facts, theories, systems, practices, regulations and other information.

Experience refers to the past practice of activities that provided an opportunity for the acquisition of knowledge and the development of skills/abilities relevant to the work to be performed in a job. Experience may be expressed in terms of its relevance, depth and breadth or other aspects as they relate to the duties and responsibilities involved.

Occupational certification. Unless otherwise provided for by the Employer in these standards or in amendments to these standards, Occupational Certification refers to the possession of, or eligibility for, credentials such as a license, certificate, registration, letter, paper(s) or other documents that constitute acceptable evidence of occupational competence. These credentials are granted by an organization legally established by federal, provincial or territorial law as a certifying or licensing body in Canada having the authority to regulate the practice of a profession, trade or act. Certain standards with respect to Occupational Certification exist for specific groups and levels. These are prescribed in Part 2 of this section.

Official language proficiency. In accordance with Treasury Board policy, all positions are to be identified as being either bilingual or unilingual. Unilingual positions must be specified as either English essential, French essential, or English or French essential. See Section 3 for further information.

Abilities / Skills refer to what a person can do. For the purpose of these Qualification Standards, these two terms may be used interchangeably. This type of qualification encompasses a wide variety of different abilities/skills, including psychomotor or physical abilities such as typing, operating machinery, and various strength requirements. Abilities/skills could be considered as competencies.

Specific standards with respect to Abilities/Skills exist for certain groups. These are prescribed in Part 2 of this section.

Aptitudes refer to what a person can learn to do given training or exposure to the appropriate environment. In other words, Aptitudes refer to the potential or capacity to acquire new abilities/skills. Specific standards with respect to Aptitudes exist for certain groups. These are prescribed in Part 2 of this section.

Personal suitability refers to the personal traits, characteristics, or attributes that affect the performance of one's duties. Personal Suitability includes a wide range of motivations and attitudes relevant to effective work behaviour such as stress tolerance, resourcefulness, and flexibility. These could also be considered as competencies.

Conditions Applicable to the Occupational Group Qualification Standards

Education

1. While the employer (OCHRO on behalf of the Treasury Board) is responsible for establishing and maintaining the qualification standards, the Public Service Commission is responsible for assessment and, in this capacity, prescribes or approves tests that are referred to in the Occupational Group Qualification Standards.
2. The term "acceptable" refers to acceptability for a position as determined by the manager unless otherwise regulated by the employer (OCHRO on behalf of the Treasury Board).
3. The term "approved" when used in conjunction with “alternatives”, refers to acceptability as determined by the employer (OCHRO on behalf of the Treasury Board). The term "approved" when used in conjunction with “tests”, refers to acceptability as determined by the Public Service Commission.
4. Unless otherwise defined by the employer (OCHRO on behalf of the Treasury Board), a "recognized" university is a Canadian university that has provincial or territorial degree-granting status.
   Unless it is otherwise specified (e.g., Master's degree), the term "degree" refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.
   Equivalencies granted by the Canadian provincial authorities with respect to Applied (Bachelor's) Degrees by colleges and technical institutes (i.e. in Ontario, British-Columbia, Alberta & Manitoba) must always be accepted as equivalent to Bachelor Degrees granted by universities in the provinces concerned.
5. The other levels of education mentioned in this document refer to the education levels established by Canadian provincial and territorial authorities. Equivalencies granted by provincial and territorial authorities, (e.g., General Education Development (GED) which is a secondary school equivalent), must always be accepted as equivalent to the respective education level.
   In provinces or territories where secondary school completion comprises 12 years of schooling, two years of secondary school correspond (for the purposes of these Occupational Group Qualification Standards) to ten years of schooling (normally grade 10). In provinces or territories where secondary school completion comprises 11 years of schooling, two years of secondary school correspond (for the purposes of these Occupational Group Qualification Standards) to nine years of schooling (normally grade 9 or "secondaire III").
6. For the purposes of these standards, the term "specialization" refers to an acceptable number of courses in a particular field of study.
   1. For the Architecture, Engineering and Land Survey (NR), Research (RE), Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP) , University Teaching (UT) Groups, and for portions of the Financial Management Group (i.e., FI-2 and above positions), Human Resources Management Group (i.e., PE positions) and Health Services Group (i.e., ND, NU, PS and SW positions), the courses for a specialization must have been taken in university but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.
   2. For all other groups that require a university degree as a minimum, the courses for a specialization may have been taken in university but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Alternatives to Education

Alternatives to education may be used at the manager's discretion except for certain occupational groups as prescribed below.

When used, the alternative(s) must be specified on the Statement of Merit Criteria.

EMPLOYER-APPROVED ALTERNATIVES TO TWO YEARS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL

1. a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative to two years of secondary school; or
2. an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

APPLICATION SPECIFIC only to the Program and Administrative Services (PA) Group:

1. Whenever a position in the Program and Administrative Services Group calls for two years of secondary school (i.e., CR, CM, DA, OE & ST positions), the candidates who have already met this requirement by one of the following methods must always be accepted as having met the prescribed two years of secondary school requirement:
   • candidates who have achieved a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative for two years of secondary school; and,
   • candidates who have been appointed or deployed for an indeterminate period to a position in the Program and Administrative Services Group.
2. The opportunity to be assessed by at least one of the two employer-approved alternatives (1 and/or 2) listed above must be offered to candidates who have not previously met the two years of secondary school requirement.

EMPLOYER-APPROVED ALTERNATIVES TO A SECONDARY SCHOOL DIPLOMA

1. a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or
2. an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

APPLICATION SPECIFIC to the following groups:

Air Traffic Control (AI), Aircraft Operations (AO), Correctional Services (CX), Electronics (EL), Radio Operations (RO), Ships' Officers (SO) and Technical Services (TC) Groups, and portions of the following groups:

Education and Library Science Group (i.e., EU positions), Audit, Commerce and Purchasing Group (i.e., CO & PG positions), Human Resources Management (i.e. OM positions) and Program and Administrative Services Group (i.e., AS, PM, WP & OM (Forms Design) positions).

1. Whenever a position in one of the groups listed above requires a secondary school diploma (except for Canadian Coast Guard Officer Cadet positions in the Ships' Officers (SO) Group), candidates who meet the following criteria must always be accepted as meeting the prescribed secondary school diploma requirement:
   • a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; and,
   • those who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to a position in the pre-1999 occupational group as the position being staffed.
2. The opportunity to be assessed by at least one of the two employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma (1 and/or 2) listed above must be offered to candidates who have not previously met the secondary school diploma requirement.
3. Candidates who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to one of the groups listed above via an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience meet the secondary school requirement for that legacy occupational group only. They must be reassessed for entry to other pre-1999 occupational groups on the basis of this alternative.

APPLICATION SPECIFIC to the Border Services (FB) Group:

1. Whenever a position in the Border Services (FB) Group requires a secondary school diploma, candidates who meet the following criteria must always be accepted as meeting the prescribed secondary school diploma requirement for the FB Group only:
   • those who were converted on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position; or
   • those who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position and already have attained a satisfactory score on the PSC approved as an alternative to a secondary school diploma; or
   • those who were appointed or deployed on an indeterminate basis to a Border Services (FB) position via an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

EMPLOYER-APPROVED ALTERNATIVE TO POST-SECONDARY TRAINING

The employer-approved alternative to post-secondary training (i.e., community college, CEGEP, or university education) is:

• an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience. (Not applicable to the Financial Management Group Level 1 positions.)

When a post-secondary education qualification has been met through a combination of education, training and/or experience, it is met for the specific position only (except as provided for Tourism Officers in the Foreign Service (FS) Group) and must be re-assessed for other positions for which this alternative has been specified by the manager.

EMPLOYER-APPROVED ALTERNATIVES TO UNIVERSITY GRADUATION

Alternatives to university graduation do not apply to positions allocated to the Law (LA), Architecture, Engineering and Land Survey (NR), Research (RE), Health Services (SH), Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP), University Teaching (UT) Groups, and for portions of the Audit, Commerce and Purchasing Group (i.e. AU positions), Education and Library Science Group (i.e. ED and LS positions), Economics and Social Science Services Group (i.e. Part A) and Financial Management Groups (i.e. FI-2 and above positions). Exceptions are prescribed for postgraduate degrees in the Research (RE) Group and the University Teaching (UT) Group.

For those occupational groups that do allow an alternative to university graduation, the employer-approved alternatives are:

1. a satisfactory score on the PSC test approved as an alternative to university graduation (not applicable to TR Group, portions of HM Group (i.e. PE positions) and portions of PA Group (i.e. IS positions)), or
2. an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

When a university graduation qualification has been met through achievement of a satisfactory score on the PSC test, it is met for any position for which this alternative has been specified by the manager.

When a university graduation qualification has been met through a combination of education, training and/or experience, it is met for the specific position only and must be re-assessed for other positions for which this alternative has been specified by the manager. Exceptions occur for Tourism Officers in the Foreign Service (FS) Group and for portion of the PA Group (i.e. IS & TR).

Acquired Rights

For staffing purposes, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the pre-1999 occupational groups listed below who did not, on the dates listed below, possess the minimum formal education prescribed for their respective group, are deemed to meet the university graduation requirement prescribed for that group. However, the type and degree of competence they acquired may be assessed to determine whether or not they meet the specialization requirements established for other positions in their respective pre-1999 groups.

June 30, 1967

Indeterminate incumbents of positions in the following pre-1999 groups as of June 30, 1967 have acquired rights within the 1999 group structure.

Actuarial science Architecture and Town Planning Auditing Biology Chemistry Dentistry Education Engineering and Land Survey Forestry Historical Research

Library Science Meteorology Nutrition & Dietetics – formerly Home Economics group Nursing Pharmacy Physical Sciences Psychology Scientific Regulation University Teaching Veterinary Medicine

July 28, 1975

• Defence Scientific Services

June 30, 1977

• Scientific Research, and

December 14, 1990

Employees of the National Research Council Space Division who were transferred to the EN-ENG subgroup upon the transfer of their positions to the Canadian Space Agency.

Acquired rights for other groups can be found under the qualification standards specific to each of these groups.

Occupational Certification

1. The term "eligibility" for certification or membership in a professional association means that a candidate has met all academic and occupational requirements with respect to degrees, examinations, experience, etc. without having to have obtained or maintained actual registration, certification or membership.
2. For some positions, a licence, or eligibility for a licence, to practice a profession in the province or territory of Canada where the duties are to be performed may be required.
3. For some positions, a licence, or eligibility for a licence, to practice a profession in any province or territory of Canada may be required.

Part 2: Occupational Group Qualification Standards

Air Traffic Control (AI) Group Qualification Standards

Education

Trainees

The minimum standards are:

For selection to the Transport Canada Training Program:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education); or

For appointment to AI positions for the on-the-job training phase:

• successful completion of a Transport Canada-approved Air Traffic Controller classroom and laboratory training program.

Controllers

The minimum standards for Airport, Area and Terminal Controller positions are:

• successful completion of an air traffic control airport training program recognized by Transport Canada; or
• successful completion of an air traffic control area/terminal training program recognized by Transport Canada.

Other Positions

The minimum standard for other positions is:

• successful completion of air traffic services training recognized by Transport Canada.

Occupational Certification

The minimum standard for positions in the Air Traffic Control Group is:

• possession of an Air Traffic Controller License.

NOTES:

1. For selection purposes, the "license" referred to above does not include medical or unit endorsements.
2. For the purpose of the initial appointment to an AI position, Transport Canada determines what constitutes the license referred to above.

Aptitudes

The minimum standard for positions in the Air Traffic Control (AI) Group used for ab initio trainees is:

• successful performance on a PSC-approved aptitude test for selecting Air Traffic Control trainees.

Aircraft Operations (AO) Group Qualification Standards

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education);

And, for positions in the Engineering Test Pilots Sub-Group (AO-ETP):

• graduation with a degree in engineering from a recognized university or eligibility for certification as a professional engineer in Canada; and
• successful completion of an Engineering Test Pilot course recognized by Transport Canada.

Occupational Certification

The minimum standard for positions in the Engineering Test Pilots Sub-Group (AO-ETP) and the Civil Aviation inspection Sub-Group (AO-CAI) is:

• possession of a valid Canadian Airline Transport Pilot License - Aeroplane Category with valid Group 1 Instrument Rating AND possession of a valid Restricted Radio-Telephone Operator Certificate (endorsed Aeronautical); or
• possession of a valid Canadian Commercial Pilot License - Helicopter Category with a valid Group IV Instrument Rating AND possession of a valid Restricted Radio-Telephone Operator Certificate (endorsed Aeronautical).

The minimum standards for positions in the Helicopter Pilots and Supervisors Sub-Group (AO-HPS) are:

• possession of a valid Canadian Commercial Pilot License - Helicopter Category AND possession of a valid Restricted Radio-Telephone Operator Certificate (endorsed Aeronautical)

Audit, Commerce and Purchasing (AV) Group

Auditing (AU) Qualification Standard

When staffing AU positions, the use of one of the following options is mandatory:

1. Education
2. Occupational Certification
3. Education and Occupational Certification
4. Education or Occupational Certification

Education

When education is required, the minimum standard is:

• graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in accounting, business administration, commerce, finance or some other specialty relevant to the position.

NOTE:

When education is required, candidates must always have a university degree. The courses for the specialization do not necessarily have to be part of a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education and Section 2, Part 1, Acquired Rights).

Occupational Certification

When occupational certification is required, the minimum standard is:

• eligibility for a recognized professional accounting designation.

NOTE: The recognized professional accounting designations are the CA, RIA/CMA and CGA.

Commerce (CO) Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

NOTE:

Acceptable experience and/or training in a field relevant to positions in the group is required when the education qualification specified for the position being staffed is a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives.

Purchasing and Supply (PG) Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

NOTE:

Acceptable experience and/or training in a field relevant to positions in the group is required when the education qualification specified for the position being staffed is a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives.

Computer Systems (CS) Group Qualification Standard

(See FAQ)

Education

The minimum standard is:

• successful completion of two years of an acceptable post-secondary educational program in computer science, information technology, information management or another specialty relevant to the position to be staffed

NOTES:

1. Indeterminate period incumbents of positions in the CS group on May 10, 1999, who do not possess the education prescribed above are deemed to meet the minimum education standards based on their education, training and/or experience. They must be accepted as having met the minimum education standard whenever this standard is called for when staffing positions in the CS group.
2. It is a recognized educational institution (e.g., community college, CÉGEP or university) that determines if the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at the institution.
3. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience may serve as an alternative to the minimum post-secondary education stated above. Whenever the minimum education is met via this alternative, it is met for the specific position only and must be re-assessed for other positions for which this alternative has been specified by the manager.

Correctional Services (CX) Group Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Education and Library Science (EB) Group

Education (ED) Qualification Standard

Education

Education is prescribed for all Language Teaching (ED-LAT) and Education Services (ED-EDS) positions.

The minimum standard is:

• graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in education, linguistics, sociology, psychology, mathematics, physics, home economics or some other specialty relevant to the positions in the group.

NOTE:

1. Candidates must always have a university degree. The courses for the specialization do not necessarily have to be part of a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

This standard is also applicable to Elementary and Secondary Teaching Sub-Group (ED-EST) positions for which the manager considers an education qualification necessary.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education and Section 2, Part 1, Acquired Rights).

Occupational Certification

Occupational certification is prescribed for Elementary and Secondary Teaching Sub-Group (ED-EST) positions for which the manager does not require an education qualification.

The minimum standard is:

• possession of an acceptable teaching certificate from a province or territory of Canada.

Educational Support (EU) Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Library Science (LS) Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• graduation from a recognized university with a master's degree in library science or in library and information science; or
• graduation from a recognized university with a bachelor's degree in library science or in library and information science for which another bachelor's degree was a prerequisite.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education and Section 2, Part 1, Acquired Rights).

Economics and Social Science Services (EC) Group

(See FAQ)

Education

Part A

For positions that are primarily involved in the application of a comprehensive knowledge of Economics, Sociology or Statistics to the conduct of economic, socio-economic and sociological research, studies, forecasts and surveys; the research, analysis and evaluation of the economic or sociological effects of departmental or interdepartmental projects, programs and policies; the development, application, analysis and evaluation of statistical and survey methods and systems; and the development, analysis and interpretation of qualitative and quantitative information and socio-economic policies and recommendations,

The minimum standard is:

• Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in Economics, Sociology or Statistics.

Candidates must always have a university degree. The courses for the specialization do not necessarily have to be part of a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Part B

For positions that are primarily involved in the conduct of surveys, studies and projects in the social sciences; the identification, description and organization of archival, library, museum and gallery materials; the editing of legislation or the provision of advice on legal problems in specific fields,

The minimum standard is:

• Successful completion of two years of a post-secondary school program with acceptable specialization in social science, statistics, library/archival work or a law-related field.

At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, that is comparable to the minimum education stated above, may serve as an alternative. Whenever this minimum educational standard is met through an alternative, it is met only for the position being staffed, and a candidate must be re-assessed for future appointments and deployments where the manager has allowed for the use of this alternative.

NOTES:

1. “Social science” includes economics, political science, sociology, anthropology, history, psychology, geography, criminology, and other disciplines associated with social science. “Library/archival work” includes gallery and museum type functions.
2. The term "degree" refers to a baccalaureate or a higher level degree, as established by educational authorities.
3. It is the recognized educational institution (e.g. community college, CÉGEP or university) that determines whether the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at that institution.
4. An indeterminate incumbent of a former SI position who became an EC on June 22, 2009, who does not possess the minimum level of education as indicated in Part B above (i.e. the successful completion of two years of a post-secondary school program with acceptable specialization in social science, statistics, library/archival work or a law-related field), is deemed to meet this minimum educational standard based on his/her education, training and/or experience. He/she must be accepted as having met the minimum educational standard (indicated in Part B above) whenever this standard is called for when staffing EC positions. This note also applies to a person appointed or deployed for an indeterminate period to an EC position requiring two years of a post-secondary school program after that date as the result of a staffing transaction started before June 22, 2009.
5. An indeterminate incumbent of a former ES position on June 30, 1967 who became an EC on June 22, 2009, who does not possess the minimum level of education as indicated in Part A above (i.e. graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in Economics, Sociology or Statistics), is deemed to meet this minimum educational standard based on his/her education, training and/or experience.

Electronics (EL) Group Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma; AND
• completion of an acceptable training program in electronics technology or the employer-approved alternative.

The Employer approved alternative is as follows:

• an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

NOTE:

Normally, an acceptable training program in electronics technology involves the completion of two to three years of post-secondary study in this subject.

Executive (EX) Group Qualification Standard

http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dev/qual-eng.asp>

Border Services (FB) Group Qualification Standard

(See FAQ)

Education

The minimum standard is:

• a secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Financial Management (FI) Group Qualification Standard

(See FAQ)

Level: FI-1

Education

The minimum standard for positions classified at the FI-1 level is:

• successful completion of two years of a post-secondary program with specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics; or
• possession of the Government of Canada Financial Management Certificate.

Additional information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Level: FI-2 and above

The minimum standard for positions classified at the FI-2 level and above is always met through either education or occupational certification.

Education

Graduation with a degree from a recognized university with specialization in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics AND experience related to positions in the Financial Management Group.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Education and Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Occupational Certification

Eligibility for a recognized professional accounting designation (i.e., CA, CMA or CGA).

NOTES:

1. It is the recognized educational institution that determines if the courses taken by a candidate correspond to two years of a post-secondary program at that institution.
2. The term "specialization" refers to a significant number of courses in a particular field of study as determined by the manager. These courses must have been taken in a recognized educational institution (for the FI-1 level) or university (for FI-2 and above) but not necessarily within a post-secondary or degree program in the required specialization (see Section 2, Part 1, Education).
3. Indeterminate incumbents of FI positions and of positions at Indian Oil and Gas Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions that are equivalent to FI Group positions on August 1st, 2004 who do not possess the education level prescribed above are entitled to the following grand-parenting provisions:
   1. Incumbents of FI-1 positions are deemed to meet the minimum education standard for the FI-1 level based on their education, training and/or experience. They must possess the formal education for appointment to higher levels.
   2. Incumbents of FI-2 or higher positions are deemed to meet the minimum education standard for those levels based on their education, training and/or experience.
   This note also applies to persons appointed or deployed, for an indeterminate period, to positions in the FI Group after that date as the result of staffing transactions started before August 1st, 2004.
   The positions at Indian Oil and Gas Canada and at the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions that are equivalent to FI Group positions are those that meet the Treasury Board Group and Level definitions for the FI occupational group.
4. The grand-parenting provisions in Notes 3(a) and 3(b) also apply to employees who were grand-parented as a result of the FI conversion on June 23^rd, 1987. Employee entitlement to grand-parenting protection is based on their last classification level in the FI Group.

Foreign Services (FS) Group Qualification Standard

Education

The minimum standard is:

• graduation with a degree from a recognized university with acceptable specialization in a field relevant to positions in the group; or
• a secondary school diploma AND an acceptable combination of education, training and experience allowing for the competent performance, at the appropriate level, of duties assigned to foreign service officers.

NOTES:

1. Typically, the following fields are considered relevant to positions in the FS Group: political, economic and commercial affairs; social affairs; development assistance; information and cultural affairs; consular affairs; tourism; and related administrative fields.
2. Based on their education, training and experience, tourism officers who were converted into the FS Group effective April 1,1982 at the same time as the conversion of tourism program positions from the Commerce (CO) Group to the Foreign Service (FS) Group, meet the requirement for university graduation for future staffing actions at any level in the Foreign Service Group.

Additional Information (see Section 2, Part 1, Alternatives to Education).

Knowledge, Abilities / Skills

The minimum standard for entry-level positions (i.e. FS-1) is:

• satisfactory performance on a test approved by the PSC.