(1) An agency will determine whether an applicant meets the job qualifications. Persons involved in evaluating applicant qualifications must be job experts.

(2) Job experts shall use job-related criteria, such as education and experience, suggested responses to questions, and rating scales to evaluate applicant qualifications against job qualifications.

(3) Evaluation techniques should permit an applicant to be compared against the job qualifications as well as to others in the applicant pool.

(4) A selection may be made from any of the most qualified group of applicants. The public employment hiring preferences must be applied as provided in veterans' employment preference, MOM Policy 3-0172, revised October 3, 2003, persons with disabilities employment preference, MOM Policy 3-0171, revised February 11, 2000, and as provided in 2-18-111 , MCA, hiring preference for residents of Indian reservations for state jobs within reservation. These policies are incorporated by reference and are also available from the State Personnel Division, Department of Administration, Room 130 Mitchell Building, 125 Roberts Street, P.O. Box 200127, Helena, MT 59620-0127, or telephone (406) 444-3871.