Final answer:
The certification for Professional & Scientific positions at GS-09 and above requires a master's degree or equivalent, with higher GS levels demanding more specialized experience. Employees start at step one and can progress through steps and grades with experience and performance. Different categories such as competitive, excepted, and senior executive services have their own hiring standards and qualifications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The order of certification for Professional & Scientific positions, GS-09 and above within the U.S. Federal Government involves meeting certain educational and experience requirements. The General Schedule (GS) is a predominant pay scale which indicates the required credentials for various grade levels in the civil service. For GS-09 positions, typically a master's degree or equivalent graduate degree is necessary. As one moves to higher GS levels, such as GS-13 through GS-15, more specialized and particular experience is required.
For most federal jobs, when hired at a specific GS grade level, employees start at the first step of that grade and can progress through ten steps based on performance and tenure. Furthermore, individuals who seek promotions can advance through the different GS grades as they acquire the necessary education, competence, and experience.
Civil servants can explore professional development options and learn about the certification process for their particular field to ensure they meet the standards, skills, and experiences demanded by these positions. Specifically, GS positions encompass competitive service, excepted service, and senior executive service categories, each with its own hiring standards and qualifications.