Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring) Federal Workplace Knowledge and Career Growth Syllabus

Federal Workplace Knowledge and Career Growth syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Federal Workplace Knowledge and Career Growth in Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring), not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Pay, Benefits, and Leave

   3 topics

   • Retirement systems
     • Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)
     • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)
     • Social Security integration
   • Health and insurance benefits
     • FEHB health insurance
     • FEGLI life insurance
   • Leave and work-life programs
     • Annual and sick leave accrual
     • Family and Medical Leave Act
     • Telework and flexible schedules
2. 2

   Employee Rights and Responsibilities

   3 topics

   • Equal employment opportunity
     • Protected categories
     • Reasonable accommodation rights
   • Labor relations and unions
     • Collective bargaining in the federal sector
     • Grievance procedures
   • Conduct and accountability
     • Hatch Act limits on political activity
     • Adverse actions and due process
3. 3

   Performance and Career Advancement

   3 topics

   • Performance management
     • Performance plans and appraisals
     • Performance improvement plans
   • Promotion and mobility
     • Merit promotion programs
     • Details, reassignments, and reduction in force
   • Training and development
     • Leadership development programs
     • Individual development plans

Federal Workplace Knowledge and Career Growth flashcards for Civil Service Examination (USAJOBS / OPM federal hiring)

19 of 52 cards from the Federal Workplace Knowledge and Career Growth deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What are the three components of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)?

   (1) The FERS Basic Benefit (defined-benefit annuity), (2) Social Security, and (3) the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

2. What retirement system covers most federal employees hired before January 1, 1984?

   The Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), a stand-alone defined-benefit plan whose employees generally do not pay into or receive Social Security for that service.

3. What is the standard FERS Basic Benefit formula for an employee retiring before age 62 (or at 62 with less than 20 years)?

   1% × high-3 average salary × years of creditable service.

4. How does the FERS annuity formula change for an employee who retires at age 62 or older with at least 20 years of service?

   The multiplier increases to 1.1% × high-3 average salary × years of service.

5. What is the 'high-3' average salary used in federal annuity calculations?

   The average of an employee's highest basic pay earned during any three consecutive years of service (usually the final three years).

6. What is the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and what is its 2024 employee elective deferral limit?

   A defined-contribution retirement savings/investment plan for federal employees, similar to a 401(k); the 2024 elective deferral limit is $23,000 (plus catch-up contributions for those 50+).

7. What TSP matching does an agency provide to FERS employees?

   An automatic 1% agency contribution plus matching: dollar-for-dollar on the first 3% of pay contributed and 50 cents per dollar on the next 2%, for up to 5% total agency contribution.

8. What is the Minimum Retirement Age (MRA) under FERS?

   The age (between 55 and 57 depending on year of birth) at which an employee may retire; for those born in 1970 or later the MRA is 57.

9. What is 'MRA+10' retirement under FERS?

   An immediate (but reduced) annuity available to an employee who reaches the Minimum Retirement Age with at least 10 years of service; the benefit is reduced 5% for each year under age 62.

10. What is the FERS Special Retirement Supplement?

    A benefit paid to certain FERS retirees who retire before age 62, approximating the Social Security benefit earned during federal service, payable until age 62.

11. What is the FEHB program?

    The Federal Employees Health Benefits program, the employer-sponsored health insurance program for federal workers, offering many plan choices with the government paying about 72% of the average premium.

12. What condition must generally be met to continue FEHB coverage into retirement?

    The employee must be enrolled (or covered) in FEHB for the five years of service immediately preceding retirement (or since first eligibility).

13. What is FEGLI?

    Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance, the group term life insurance program; Basic coverage equals annual basic pay rounded up to the next $1,000 plus $2,000.

14. What are the optional coverages available under FEGLI?

    Option A (Standard, a flat $10,000), Option B (Additional, 1–5 multiples of salary), and Option C (Family coverage for spouse and eligible children).

15. What is the FSAFEDS program?

    The Federal Flexible Spending Account program, allowing employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for health care or dependent care expenses.

16. What is the FLTCIP?

    The Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, which helps cover costs of long-term care such as nursing home or in-home assistance for federal employees and eligible relatives.

17. What dental and vision benefits program is offered to federal employees?

    FEDVIP (Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program), enrollee-pay-all coverage available during Open Season.

18. What is the annual federal Open Season for health and insurance benefits?

    The period (mid-November to mid-December) during which employees may enroll in or change FEHB, FEDVIP, and FSAFEDS elections for the following year.

19. How much annual leave does a federal employee with 3 to 15 years of service earn per pay period?

    6 hours per pay period (with 4 extra hours in the last pay period), totaling about 20 days (160 hours) per year.

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