KSAs Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

[Taken from the Federal Government, Office of Personnel Management 2008] KSA Description Kno ledge ! Master" of facts, range of information in s#$%ect matter area& 'kills ! Proficienc", e()ertise, or com)etence in given area* e&g&, science, art, crafts& +$ilities ! ,emonstrated )erformance to #se kno ledge and skills hen needed&

KSA Definitions [General Employee Competencies]

nterpersonal Skill -s a are of, res)onds to, and considers the needs, feelings, and ca)a$ilities of others& ,eals ith conflicts, confrontations, disagreements in a )ositive manner, hich minimi.es )ersonal im)act, to incl#de controlling one/s feelings and reactions& ,eals effectivel" ith others in $oth favora$le and #nfavora$le sit#ations regardless of stat#s of )osition& +cce)ts inter)ersonal and c#lt#ral diversit"& !eam Skill 0sta$lishes effective orking relationshi)s among team mem$ers& Partici)ates in solving )ro$lems and making decisions& Comm"nications Presents and e()resses ideas and information clearl" and concisel" in a manner a))ro)riate to the a#dience, hether oral or ritten& +ctivel" listens to hat others are sa"ing to achieve #nderstanding& 'hares information ith others and facilitates the o)en e(change of ideas and information& -s o)en, honest, and straightfor ard ith others& #lanning and $rgani%ing 0sta$lishes co#rses of action for self to accom)lish s)ecific goals [e&g&, esta$lishes action )lans]& -dentifies need, arranges for, and o$tains reso#rces needed to accom)lish o n goals and o$%ectives& ,evelo)s and #ses tracking s"stems for monitoring o n ork )rogress& 0ffectivel" #ses reso#rces s#ch as time and information& $rgani%ational Knowledge and Competence +c1#ires acc#rate information concerning the agenc" com)onents, the mission[s] of each relevant organi.ational #nit, and the )rinci)al 1

)rograms in the agenc"& -nter)rets and #tili.es information a$o#t the formal and informal organi.ation, incl#ding the organi.ational str#ct#re, f#nctioning, and relationshi)s among #nits& 2orrectl" identifies and dra s #)on so#rce[s] of information for s#))ort& #roblem Sol&ing and Analytical Ability -dentifies e(isting and )otential )ro$lems3iss#es& O$tains relevant information a$o#t the )ro$lem3iss#e, incl#ding recogni.ing hether or not more information is needed& O$%ectivel" eval#ates relevant information a$o#t the )ro$lem3iss#e& -dentifies the s)ecific ca#se of the )ro$lem3iss#e& ,evelo)s recommendations, develo)s and eval#ates alternative co#rse of action, selects co#rses of action, and follo s #)& '"dgment Makes ell reasoned and timel" decisions $ased on caref#l, o$%ective revie and informed anal"sis of availa$le considerations and factors& '#))orts decisions or recommendations ith acc#rate information or reasoning& Direction and (oti&ation 'ets a good e(am)le of ho to do the %o$* demonstrates )ersonal integrit", res)onsi$ilit", and acco#nta$ilit"& Provides advice and assistance to hel) others accom)lish their ork& ,irects3motivates self& Decisi&eness -dentifies hen immediate action is needed, is illing to make decisions, render %#dgments, and take action& +cce)ts res)onsi$ilit" for the decision, incl#ding s#staining effort in s)ite of o$stacles& Self)De&elopment +cc#ratel" eval#ates o n )erformance and identifies skills and a$ilities as targets of training and develo)ment activities related to c#rrent and f#t#re %o$ re1#irements& +nal".es )resent career stat#s& 'ets goals [short and3or long term]& -dentifies availa$le reso#rces and methods for self4im)rovement& 'ets realistic time frames for goals and follo s #)& *le+ibility Modifies o n $ehavior and ork activities in res)onse to ne information, changing conditions, or #ne()ected o$stacles& 5ie s iss#es3)ro$lems from different )ers)ectives& 2onsiders a ide range of alternatives, incl#ding innovative or creative a))roaches& 'trives to take actions that are acce)ta$le to others having differing vie s&

,eaders-ip +$ilit" to make right decisions $ased on )erce)tive and anal"tical )rocesses& Practices good %#dgment in gra" areas& +cts decisivel"&

KSA Definitions .General S"per&isory/(anager Competencies/

#roblem Sol&ing and Analytical Ability -dentifies e(isting and )otential )ro$lems* notes, #nderstands, and incl#des the critical elements of )ro$lem sit#ations* o$tains and eval#ates relevant information* demonstrates a areness that ne and3or additional information so#rces are re1#ired* notes interrelationshi)s among elements* identifies )ossi$le ca#ses of the )ro$lems* recogni.es the need to shift to an alternative co#rse of action incl#ding innovative or creative a))roaches* and a))ro)riatel" terminates information collection and eval#ation activities& #lanning and $rgani%ing -dentifies re1#irements* allocates, and effectivel" #ses information, )ersonnel, time, and other reso#rces necessar" for mission accom)lishment* esta$lishes a))ro)riate co#rses of action for self and3or others to accom)lish s)ecific goals* develo)s eval#ation criteria and tracking s"stems for monitoring goal )rogress and accom)lishment* and s)ecifies o$%ectives, sched#les, and )riorities& Decisi&eness Makes decisions, renders %#dgments, and takes action on diffic#lt or #n)leasant tasks in a timel" fashion, to incl#de the a))ro)riate comm#nication of $oth negative and )ositive information and decisions& '"dgment ,evelo)s and eval#ates alternative co#rses of action* makes decisions $ased on correct ass#m)tions concerning reso#rces and g#idelines* s#))orts decisions or recommendations ith data or reasoning* defines and im)lements sol#tions to )ro$lems* and recogni.es hen no action is re1#ired& Comm"nication Skill Presents and e()resses ideas and information effectivel" and concisel" in an oral and3or ritten mode* listens to and com)rehends hat others are sa"ing* shares information ith others and facilitates the o)en e(change of ideas and information* is o)en, honest, and

straightfor ard ith others* )rovides a com)lete and timel" e()lanation of iss#es and decisions in a manner a))ro)riate for the a#dience* and )resents information and material in a manner that gains the agreement of others&

nterpersonal Skill -s a are of, res)onds to, and considers the needs, feelings, and ca)a$ilities of others* deals effectivel" ith others in favora$le and #nfavora$le sit#ations regardless of their stat#s or )osition* acce)ts inter)ersonal and c#lt#ral differences* manages conflict3confrontations3 disagreements in a )ositive manner that minimi.es )ersonal im)act, to incl#de controlling one/s o n feelings and reactions* and )rovides a))ro)riate s#))ort to others& Direction and (oti&ation Motivates and )rovides direction in the activities of others to accom)lish goals* gains the res)ect and confidence of others* a))ro)riatel" assigns ork and a#thorit" to others in the accom)lishment of goals* )rovides advice and assistance as re1#ired& S"per&isory role #erformance ,is)la"s kno ledge of the roles, res)onsi$ilities, and d#ties of s#)ervisors and managers* acc#ratel" assesses the im)act #)on others of role )erformance* and s#))orts and )romotes organi.ational decisions, )olicies, )rograms, and initiatives s#ch as 00O and +ffirmative +ction& Specialty Competence 6nderstands and a))ro)riatel" a))lies )roced#res, re1#irements, reg#lations, and )olicies* maintains credi$ilit" ith others on s)ecialt" matters* #ses a))ro)riate )roced#res or s"stems in the o)eration and3or staff environment as the )osition re1#ires& $rgani%ational Knowledge ,emonstrates kno ledge of the de)artment/s or agenc"/s organi.ational com)onents, the mission[s] of each relevant organi.ational #nit, and the )rinci)al )rograms in the organi.ation& ,eaders-ip 0sta$lishes ork standards and e()ectations for self and others& +))ro)riatel" assigns3delegates ork and a#thorit" to others in the accom)lishment of goals& Kee)s goals and o$%ectives in sight at all times, monitors )rogress to ard goals, and orks to overcome $arriers 4

and o$stacles& Provides coaching, advice, and assistance as re1#ired* e&g&, hel)s s#$ordinates overcome o$stacles and deal ith )ro$lems& +))ro)riatel" assesses contri$#tions and ) )erformance of em)lo"ees* )rovides a))ro)riate recognition, and deals ith )ro$lems as the" arise& -nstills in others a sense of )ride in the %o$ at hand&

E+ec"ti&e Core Competencies [ECC]

022 022 022 022 022 78 72 7: 7< 7> 9eading 2hange 9eading Peo)le ;es#lts ,riven =#siness +c#men =#ilding 2oalitions32omm#nications

ECC 01

This core 1#alification encom)asses the a$ilit" to develo) and im)lement an organi.ational vision hich integrates ke" national and )rogram goals, )riorities, val#es, and other factors& -nherent to it is the a$ilit" to $alance change and contin#it" ! to contin#all" strive to im)rove c#stomer service and )rogram )erformance ithin the $asic government frame ork, to create a ork environment that enco#rages creative thinking, and to maintain foc#s, intensit" and )ersistence, even #nder adversit"& Key C-aracteristics2 8& 0(ercising leadershi) and motivating managers to incor)orate vision, strategic )lanning, and elements of 1#alit" management into the f#ll range of the organi.ation/s activities* enco#raging creative thinking and innovation* infl#encing others to ard a s)irit of service* designing and im)lementing ne or c#tting edge )rograms3)rocesses& 2& -dentif"ing and integrating ke" iss#es affecting the organi.ation, incl#ding )olitical, economic, social, technological, and administrative factors& :& 6nderstanding the roles and relationshi)s of the com)onents of the state or regional )olic" making and im)lementation )rocess, incl#ding the Governor, legislat#re, the %#diciar", local governments, and interest gro#)s* and form#lating effective strategies to $alance those interests consistent ith the $#siness of the organi.ation&

,eading C-ange

<& =eing o)en to change and ne information* tolerating am$ig#it"* ada)ting $ehavior and ork methods in res)onse to ne information, changing conditions, or #ne()ected o$stacles* ad%#sting ra)idl" to ne sit#ations arranting attention and resol#tion& >& ,ealing effectivel" ith )ress#re* maintaining foc#s and intensit" and remaining )ersistent, even #nder adversit"* recovering 1#ickl" from set$acks&

?& ,is)la"ing a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment to )#$lic service* $eing )roactive and achievement4oriented* $eing self4motivated* )#rs#ing self4develo)ment* seeking feed$ack from others and o))ort#nities to master ne kno ledge&

,eaders-ip Competencies
Creati&ity and nno&ation ! ,evelo)s ne insights into sit#ations and a))lies innovative sol#tions to make organi.ational im)rovements* creates a ork environment that enco#rages creative thinking and innovation* designs and im)lements ne or c#tting4edge )rograms3)rocesses& 3esilience ! ,eals effectivel" ith )ress#re* maintains foc#s and intensit" and remains o)timistic and )ersistent, even #nder adversit"& ;ecovers 1#ickl" from set$acks& 0ffectivel" $alances )ersonal life and ork& Contin"al ,earning ! Gras)s the essence of ne information* masters ne technical and $#siness kno ledge* recogni.es o n strengths and eaknesses* )#rs#es self4develo)ment* seeks feed$ack from others and o))ort#nities to master ne kno ledge& Ser&ice (oti&ation ! 2reates and s#stains an organi.ational c#lt#re hich enco#rages others to )rovide the 1#alit" of service essential to high )erformance& 0na$les others to ac1#ire the tools and s#))ort the" need to )erform ell& 'ho s a commitment to )#$lic service& -nfl#ence others to ard a s)irit of service and meaningf#l contri$#tions to mission accom)lishment& E+ternal Awareness ! -dentifies and kee)s #) to date on ke" national and international )olicies and economic, )olitical, and social trends that affect the organi.ation& 6nderstands near4term and long4range )lans and determines ho $est to $e )ositioned to achieve a com)etitive $#siness advantage& 6

Strategic !-inking ! Form#lates effective strategies consistent ith the $#siness and com)etitive strateg" of the organi.ation& 0(amines )olic" iss#es and strategic )lanning ith a long4term )ers)ective& ,etermines o$%ectives and sets )riorities* antici)ates )otential threats or o))ort#nities& *le+ibility ! -s o)en to change and ne information* ada)ts $ehavior and ok methods in res)onse to ne information, changing conditions, or #ne()ected o$stacles& +d%#st ra)idl" to ne sit#ations arranting attention and resol#tion& 4ision ! Takes a long4term vie and acts as a catal"st for organi.ational change* $#ilds a shared vision ith others& -nfl#ences others to translate vision into action&

ECC 05

,eading #eople

This core com)etenc" involves the a$ilit" to design and im)lement strategies hich ma(imi.e em)lo"ee )otential and foster high ethical standards in meeting the organi.ation/s vision, mission, and goals& Ke" 2haracteristics@ 8& Providing leadershi) in setting the orkforce/s e()ected )erformance levels commens#rate ith the organi.ation/s strategic o$%ectives* ins)iring, motivating, and g#iding others to ard total accom)lishment* em)o ering )eo)le $" sharing )o er and a#thorit"& 2& Promoting 1#alit" thro#gh effective #se of the organi.ation/s )erformance management s"stem [e&g&, esta$lishing )erformance standards, a))raising staff accom)lishments #sing the develo)ed standards, and taking action to re ard, co#nsel, or remove em)lo"ees, as a))ro)riate]& :& 5al#ing c#lt#ral diversit" and other differences* fostering an environment here )eo)le ho are c#lt#rall" diverse can ork together coo)erativel" and effectivel" in achieving organi.ational goals& <& +ssessing em)lo"ees/ #ni1#e develo)mental needs and )roviding develo)mental o))ort#nities hich ma(imi.e em)lo"ees/ ca)a$ilities and contri$#te to the achievement of organi.ational goals* develo)ing leadershi) in others thro#gh coaching and mentoring& >& Fostering commitment, team s)irit, )ride, tr#st, and gro#) identit"* taking ste)s to )revent sit#ations hat co#ld res#lt in #n)leasant confrontations& ?& ;:solving conflicts in a )ositive and constr#ctive manner* this incl#des )romoting la$or3management )artnershi)s and dealing 7

effectivel" ith em)lo"ee relations matters, attending to morale and organi.ational climate iss#es, handling administrative, la$or management, and 00O iss#es, and taking disci)linar" actions hen others means have not $een s#ccessf#l&

,eaders-ip Competencies
Conflict (anagement ! -dentifies and takes ste)s to )revent )otential sit#ations that co#ld res#lt in #n)leasant confrontations& Manages and resolves conflicts and disagreements in a )ositive and constr#ctive manner to minimi.e negative im)act& ntegrity/6onesty ! -nstills m#t#al tr#st and confidence* creates a c#lt#re that fosters high standards of ethics* $ehaves in a fair and ethical manner to ard others, and demonstrates a sense of cor)orate res)onsi$ilit" and commitment to )#$lic service& C"lt"ral Aw7areness ! -nitiates and manages c#lt#ral change ithin the organi.ation to im)act organi.ational effectiveness& 5al#es c#lt#ral diversit" and other individ#al differences in the orkforce& 0ns#res that the organi.ation $#ilds on these differences and that em)lo"ees are treated in a fair and e1#ita$le manner& !eam 8"ilding ! -ns)ires, motivates, and g#ides others to ard goal accom)lishments& 2onsistentl" develo)s and s#stains coo)erative orking relationshi)s& 0nco#rages and facilitates coo)eration ithin the organi.ation and ith c#stomer gro#)s* fosters commitment, team s)irit, )ride, tr#st& ,evelo)s leadershi) in others thro#gh coaching, mentoring, re arding, and g#iding em)lo"ees&

ECC 07

3es"lts Dri&en

This core com)etenc" stresses acco#nta$ilit" and contin#o#s im)rovement& -t incl#des the a$ilit" to make timel" and effective decisions and )rod#ce res#lts thro#gh strategic )lanning and the im)lementation and eval#ation of )rograms and )olicies& Ke" 2haracteristics@ 8& 6nderstanding and a))ro)riatel" a))l"ing )roced#res, re1#irements, reg#lations, and )olicies related to s)eciali.ed e()ertise* #nderstanding linkages $et een administrative com)etencies and mission needs* kee)ing c#rrent on iss#es, )ractices, and )roced#res in technical areas& 2& 'tressing res#lts $" form#lating strategic )rogram )lans hich assess )olic"3)rogram feasi$ilit" and incl#de realistic short and long4term goals and o$%ectives&

:& 0(ercising good %#dgment in str#ct#ring and organi.ing ork an setting )riorities* $alancing the interests of clients and readil" read%#sting )riorities to res)ond to c#stomer demands& <& +ntici)ating and identif"ing, diagnosing, and cons#lting on )otential or act#al )ro$lem areas relating to )rogram im)lementation and goal achievement* selecting from alternative co#rses of corrective action, and taking action from develo)ed contingenc" )lans& >& 'etting )rogram standards* holding self and others acco#nta$le for achieving these standards* acting decisivel" to modif" them to )romote c#stomer service and3or 1#alit" of )rograms and )olicies& ?& -dentif"ing o))ort#nities to develo) and market ne )rod#cts and services ith or o#tside of the organi.ation* taking risks to )#rs#e a recogni.ed $enefit or advantage&

,eaders-ip competencies
Acco"ntability 4 +ss#res that effective controls are develo)ed and maintained to ens#re the integrit" of the organi.ation& Aolds self and others acco#nta$le for r#les and res)onsi$ilities& 2an $e relied #)on to ens#re that )ro%ects ithin areas of s)ecific res)onsi$ilit" are com)leted in a timel" manner and ithin $#dget& Monitors and eval#ates )lans* foc#ses on res#lts and meas#ring attainment of o#tcomes& Entreprene"rs-ip ! -dentifies o))ort#nities to develo) and market ne )rod#cts and services ithin or o#tside of the organi.ation& -s illing to take risks* initiates actions that involve a deli$erate risk to achieve a recogni.ed $enefit or advantage& C"stomer Ser&ice ! =alancing interests of a variet" of clients* readil" read%#st )riorities to res)ond to )ressing and changing client demands& +ntici)ates and meets the need of clients* achieves 1#alit" end4 )rod#cts* is committed to contin#o#s im)rovement of services& #roblem Sol&ing ! -dentifies and anal".es )ro$lems* disting#ishes $et een relevant and irrelevant information to make logical decisions* )rovides sol#tions to individ#al and organi.ational )ro$lems& Decisi&eness ! 0(ercises good %#dgment $" making so#nd and ell4 informed decision* )erceives the im)act and im)lications of decisions* makes effective and timel" decisions, even hen data is limited or sol#tions )rod#ce #n)leasant conse1#ences* is )roactive and achievement oriented&

!ec-nical Credibility ! 6nderstands and a))ro)riatel" a))lies )roced#res, re1#irements, reg#lations, and )olicies related to s)eciali.ed e()ertise& -s a$le to make so#nd hiring and ca)ital reso#rce decisions and to address training and develo)ment needs& 6nderstand linkages $et een administrative com)etencies and mission needs&

ECC 09

8"siness Ac"men

This core com)etenc" involves the a$ilit" to ac1#ire and administer h#man, financial, material, and information reso#rces in a manner hich instills )#$lic tr#st and accom)lishes the organi.ation/s mission, and to #se ne technolog" to enhance decision making& Ke" 2haracteristics 8& +ssessing c#rrent and f#t#re staffing needs $ased on organi.ational goals and $#dget realities& +))l"ing so#nd h#man reso#rce )rinci)les to develo), select, and manage a diverse orkforce& 2& Overseeing the allocation of financial reso#rces* identif"ing cost4 effective a))roaches* esta$lishing and ass#ring the #se of internal controls for financial s"stems& :& Managing the $#dgetar" )rocess, incl#ding )re)aring and %#stif"ing a $#dget and o)erating the $#dget #nder organi.ational and legislative )roced#res* #nderstanding the marketing e()ertise necessar" to ens#re a))ro)riate f#nding levels& <& Overseeing )roc#rement and contracting )roced#res and )rocesses& >& -ntegrating and coordinating logistical o)erations& ?& 0ns#ring the efficient and cost4effective develo)ment and #tili.ation of management information s"stems and other technological reso#rces that meet the organi.ation/s needs* #nderstanding the im)act of technological changes on the organi.ation&

,eaders-ip Competencies

10

*inancial (anagement ! ,emonstrates $road #nderstanding of )rinci)les of financial management and marketing e()ertise necessar" to ens#re a))ro)riate f#nding levels& Pre)ares, %#stifies, and3or administers the $#dget for the )rogram area* #ses cost4$enefit thinking to set )riorities* monitors e()endit#res in s#))ort of )rograms and )olicies, -dentifies cost4effective a))roaches& Manages )roc#rement and contracting& !ec-nological (anagement ! 6ses efficient and cost4effective a))roaches to integrate technolog" into the ork)lace and im)rove )rogram effectiveness& ,evelo)s strategies #sing ne technolog" to enhance decision making& 6nderstands the im)act of technological changes on the organi.ation& 6"man 3eso"rce (anagement ! +ssesses c#rrent and f#t#re staffing needs $ased on organi.ational goals and $#dget realities& 6sing merit )rinci)les, ens#re staff are a))ro)riatel" selected, develo)ed, #tili.ed, a))raised, and re arded* takes corrective action&

ECC 0:

8"ilding Coalitions/Comm"nication

This core com)etenc" involves the a$ilit" to e()lain, advocate and e()ress facts and ideas in a convincing manner, and negotiate it>h individ#als and gro#)s internall" and e(ternall"& -t also involves the a$ilit" to develo) an e()ansive )rofessional net ork ith other organi.ations, and to identif" the internal and e(ternal )olitics that im)act the ork of the organi.ation& Ke" 2haracteristics 8& ;e)resenting and s)eaking for the organi.ational #nit and its ork [e&g&, )resenting, e()laining, selling, defining, and negotiating] to those ithin and o#tside the office [e&g&, agenc" heads and other government e(ec#tives* cor)orate e(ec#tives* ,e)artment of +dministrative 'ervices $#dget officials* legislative mem$ers and staff* the media* governor/s office* clientele and )rofessional gro#)s]* making clear and convincing oral )resentations to individ#als and gro#)s* listening effectivel" and clarif"ing information* facilitating an o)en e(change of ideas& 2& 0sta$lishing and maintaining orking relationshi)s ith internal organi.ational #nits [e&g&, other )rogram areas and staff s#))ort f#nctions]* a))roaching each )ro$lem sit#ation ith a clear )erce)tion of organi.ational and )olitical realit"* #sing contacts to $#ild and strengthen internal s#))ort $ases* getting #nderstanding and s#))ort from higher level management& 11

:& ,evelo)ing and enhancing alliances ith e(ternal gro#)s [e&g&, other agencies or firms, state and local governments, legislat#re, and clientele gro#)s]* engaging in cross4f#nctional activities* finding common gro#nd ith a idening range of stakeholders& <& Borking in gro#)s and teams* cond#cting $riefings and othe<>r meetings* gaining coo)eration from others to o$tain information and accom)lish goals* facilitating C in4 inD sit#ations& >& 2onsidering and res)onding a))ro)riatel" to the needs, feelings, and ca)a$ilities of different )eo)le in different sit#ations is tactf#l and treats others ith res)ect& ?& 'eeing that re)orts, memoranda, and other doc#ments reflect the )osition and ork of the organi.ation in a clear, convincing, and organi.ed manner&

,eaders-ip Competencies
nfl"encing/;egotiating ! Pers#ades others* $#ilds consens#s thro#gh give and take* gains coo)eration from others to o$tain information and accom)lish goals* facilitates C in4 inD sit#ations& #artnering ! ,evelo)s net orks and $#ilds alliances, engages in cross4f#nctional activities* colla$orates across $o#ndaries, and finds common gro#nd ith a idening range of stakeholders& 6tili.es contacts to $#ild and strengthen internal s#))ort $ases& nterpersonal Skills ! 2onsiders and res)onds a))ro)riatel" to the needs, feelings, and ca)a$ilities of different )eo)le in different sit#ations* is tactf#l, com)assionate and sensitive, and treats others ith res)ect& #olitical Sa&&y ! -dentifies the internal and e(ternal )olitics that im)act the ork of the organi.ation& +))roaches each )ro$lem sit#ation ith a clear )erce)tion of organi.ational and )olitical realit"* recogni.es the im)act of alternative co#rses of action& $ral Comm"nication ! Makes clear and convincing oral )resentations to individ#als or gro#)s* listens effectivel" and clarifies information as needed* facilitates an o)en e(change of ideas and fosters an atmos)here of o)en comm#nication&

12

<ritten Comm"nication ! 0()resses facts and ideas in clear, convincing and organi.ed manner&

riting in a

13