What is the QRB?
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is responsible for convening QRB panels. QRB is an independent peer review, and certification, of the executive qualifications of potential SES candidates proposed for initial career appointment to the SES. The QRB review is the critical last step in the SES selection process. By focusing attention on executive qualifications, the QRB helps ensure that technical skills do not outweigh leadership expertise in the selection of new senior executives.
NOTE: The candidate cannot be appointed to the SES until the QRB certifies his/her executive qualifications.
The role of the QRB is to assess the overall scope, quality, and depth of a candidate’s executive qualifications within the context of the ECQs. The QRB will determine whether the candidate has demonstrated executive level expertise and possesses the executive qualifications needed for entry and success in the SES. Finally, the QRB will certify the executive qualifications of all new career SES appointees and Candidate Development Program graduates.
OPM draws on SES members to serve on QRBs and to advise on QRB policy and procedures. The Board normally consists of three SES members, each from a different agency. A majority of Board members must be SES career appointees. QRB members cannot review candidates from their own agencies.
QRB Members’ Perspectives
- Come from all agencies with varieties of experiences and length of service as SES.
- Want to ensure future SES are qualified and capable; the only way to determine that is through the resume and narrative.
- QRB approval is not automatic; Just because they are acting in the role, you still need to prepare a quality narrative.
- Board Members can’t know your technical world and jargon.
- ECQ narratives are the candidates’ entrance exam so put your best foot forward.
Thumbs Up or Down?
After the agency completes its merit staffing process and makes a selection, the agency requests QRB certification of the selectee’s executive qualifications. A QRB reviews each case and either approves, disapproves or requests a rewrite. If approved, the candidate is appointed to the SES. If the case disapproved because of lack of executive leadership evidence in three or more of the ECQ areas, the applicant is given one reconsideration within 60 days. If disapproved on second attempt, must obtain added experience/wait one year to apply for an SES position again. OPM changed the rules a couple years ago and now offer what is called a rewrite. This is pending approval and requires significant revision (due to lack of sufficient evidence) of two or less ECQ areas. Reconsideration should be done within 14 days – no penalty to candidate.
