370.534.1 - Setting Salaries - FC Schedule Employees
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Date: 3/18/1988
OPR: Administration/Office of Personnel
1. Authority. Salary rates for FC positions are set in accordance with the regulations of the Agency for International Development (AID).
2. Establishing FC Grade Level.
A. The foreign position is first classified in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 51 of Title 5, United States Code.
B. The determined GS grade or level is then converted to the equivalent FC grade as follows:
GS Grade Converts to FC Grade
04 01
05 02
06 03
07 04
08 05
09 06
10 07
11 08
12 09
13 10
14 11
15 12
16 13
17 14
3. Determining Initial Pay Rates.
A. New Hires. New appointments are normally made at the FC grade and step which is equivalent to the minimum rate of the determined GS grade. However, an appointment to a position with the same occupational series as one to which the Office of Personnel Management has approved a special rate is made at the step in the FC grade which is not less than the minimum step of the special rate range. Exception: The rate to be given cannot exceed the maximum rate of the FC grade.
The appointment of a former Federal employee may be made at any step rate of the FC grade which does not exceed their highest previous rate provided the criteria in SM 370.531.1.4 are met and documented.
B. Movement from Classification Act Positions.
(1) Equivalent Level. When the foreign position is evaluated at the same GS grade as the one currently held by the employee, the employee is given the rate of the FC grade which is at least 400 dollars per year more than their current earnings. Exception: The rate given cannot exceed the maximum rate of the FC grade, and an increase of more than 10% of the employee's current annual salary requires advance approval from AID.
(2) Higher Level. When the foreign position is evaluated at a GS grade that is higher than the one currently held by the employee, the employee receives the rate of the FC grade which is at least a two-step increase in their GS grade. Exception: The rate given cannot exceed the maximum rate of the FC grade.
NOTE: If in a particular case an exception to the above procedures is desired, the request must be sent to the Branch of Personnel in sufficient time to obtain advance approval.
4. Within-Grade Increases.
A. Eligibility Requirements.
(1) Completion of appropriate waiting period is required.
(2) Performance must be at an acceptable level of competence. (See SM 370.531.2.10 for procedures.)
B. Waiting Period.
(1) Length of Waiting Period.
(a) Advancement to steps 2 through 7 requires 52 calendar weeks of creditable service.
(b) Advancement to steps 8, 9, and 10 requires 208 calendar weeks of creditable service.
NOTE: A language proficiency increase is not considered an equivalent increase.
(2) Beginning of Waiting Period.
(a) The waiting period begins on the date of initial assignment to the FC position if the action includes a salary increase which is equal to or greater than the amount of a step increase in the GS grade previously held by the employee. Otherwise, the waiting period begins on the date of the last equivalent increase in the Classification Act (GS) position.
(b) An equivalent increase granted while in an FC position will result in the beginning of a new waiting period for the next step increase. The new waiting period begins as of the date the equivalent increase was granted.
C. Creditable Service. Creditable service includes all continuous civilian employment except leave without pay (LWOP) which exceeds the aggregate:
(1) Two workweeks in the waiting period for step 2 through 7.
(2) Eight workweeks in the waiting period for steps 8, 9, and 10.
5. In-Service Promotion. Any action that results in a promotion between FC positions without a break in service will be made at a rate in the higher grade (not above the maximum) which is at least a 2-step increase above the employee's existing rate. The rate for the promotion is determined as follows: First the position is assigned a GS grade and the rate in the equivalent FC grade is fixed at the lowest rate which is at least a 2-step increase in the employee's FC grade. If an employee is receiving a rate above the maximum of their current grade and there is no rate in the higher grade which is at least 2 steps above their existing rate, either the top step or the existing rate is given, whichever is higher.