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SME-QA Hiring Strategy
Menu
 * About SME-QA
   * Introduction to SME-QA
   * SME-QA Principles
   * How SME-QA is Different
   * The Authority for SME-QA
 * Hiring Phases
   * Getting Started
   * Job Analysis Workshop
   * Assessment Strategy
   * Job Announcement
   * Resume Review
   * Assessments
   * Issuing a Certificate
 * Results
   * Overview
   * Round One
   * Round Two
   * Gov-wide CX
   * Gov-wide Data

Beta

This site details the SME-QA hiring practices and pilots discussed in the 2019
OPM memo on Effective Assessments.


SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENTS

The Subject Matter Expert Qualification Assessments (SME-QA) process introduces
subject matter experts (SMEs), in partnership with HR specialists as guides, to
create and conduct job related assessments before an applicant is considered
qualified. HR specialists protect merit principles and ensure the integrity of
the process.


THE SME-QA PROCESS



During the typical competitive delegated examining hiring process, human
resource (HR) specialists review resumes and occupational questionnaires to
determine whether applicants are minimally qualified for a position. Agencies
often conduct outreach and recruitment for technical positions and are concerned
when they receive certificates without qualified applicants.

With the SME-QA process, subject matter experts (SMEs) partner with HR
specialists to create and conduct job related assessments before considering an
applicant qualified and applying Veterans’ preference. SME-QA is recommended for
specialized positions with multiple vacancies for the same role.

Get started
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) memorandum "Improving Federal Hiring
through the Use of Effective Assessment Strategies to Advance Mission Outcomes"
encourages HR to use SMEs to determine whether applicants are qualified.
The "Executive Order on Modernizing and Reforming the Assessment and Hiring of
Federal Job Candidates" removes self-evaluation as a solitary method for
evaluating applicants.


IS SME-QA RIGHT FOR YOU?


LEARN MORE



Learn what it takes to qualify applicants using competency-based assessments.


WHY IT'S LEGAL



Read more from existing OPM guidance that enables this process.


RESULTS



See the results of our pilots with agencies that have used the SME-QA process.

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ABOUT SME-QA

 * Introduction to SME-QA
 * SME-QA Principles
 * How SME-QA is Different
 * The Authority for SME-QA

HIRING PHASES

 * Getting Started
 * Job Analysis Workshop
 * Assessment Strategy
 * Job Announcement
 * Resume Review
 * Assessments
 * Issuing a Certificate

RESULTS

 * Overview
 * Round One
 * Round Two
 * Gov-wide CX
 * Gov-wide Data

All recent changes to this site


SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT QUALIFICATION ASSESSMENTS (SME-QA)

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