In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application.

Professional Experience Qualification Requirements: Required professional experience is as follows:
MA-11 GRADE LEVEL: Must qualify for this grade level according to the following time and general experience requirements. (MA-11: 2 years) This experience may have been obtained in a laboratory or field environment. This experience is in one of the physical sciences or a closely related discipline which provided some of the basic knowledge or skills involved in one or more of the following: (1) gathering, recording, and assembling scientific data; (2) using scientific instruments to measure degrees, weights, strengths, etc.; (3) setting up and operating test methods; and (4) evaluating quantitative data. The guidelines used to perform the work are specific and detailed and the work is repetitious.

MA-12 GRADE LEVEL: Must qualify for this grade level according to the following time and general experience requirements. (MA-12: 3 years) This experience may have been obtained in a laboratory or field environment. This experience is in one of the physical sciences or a closely related discipline which provided some of the basic knowledge or skills involved in one or more of the following: (1) gathering, recording, and assembling scientific data; (2) using scientific instruments to measure degrees, weights, strengths, etc.; (3) setting up and operating test methods; and (4) evaluating quantitative data. The guidelines used to perform the work are specific and detailed and the work is repetitious.

MA-13 GRADE LEVEL: In addition to meeting the 3 years general experience requirements for the MA-12 grade level above, I also qualify for one or more of these higher grade levels according to the following time and specialized experience requirements . (MA-13: 1/2 year specialized experience) This experience demonstrates performing technical work in one of the physical sciences, or in a closely related field, such as experience as a laboratory technician when the work was performed in close association with a chemist or other physical scientist and provided me with an intensive knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and techniques. The guidelines used to perform the work may have required some deviation or adaptation to specific circumstances and I was required to use some judgment in their application.

MA-11 THROUGH MA-12 EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Must qualify for one or more of these grade levels using undergraduate education to substitute for general experience. I have successfully completed studies in an accredited college or university above the high school level to substitute for general experience at the rate of 1 year of undergraduate education (i.e., 30 semester or 45 quarter hours) for 1 year of general experience (up to a maximum of 3 years of undergraduate education for 3 years of general experience) Note: 2 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-10, and 3 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-12.

MA-13 EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Must qualify for one or more of these higher grade levels using directly related graduate education to substitute for specialized experience. For the MA-13 grade level, I have successfully completed directly related graduate education in an accredited college or university to substitute for specialized experience at the rate of 15 semester hours (or 18 quarter hours) of graduate education for 6 months of specialized experience. Note: directly related graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.


Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week.

Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.