Attachment 4 Dated June 24, 1998

**APPENDIX TO PERSONNEL LETTER NO. 511-7**

**GS-400 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES OCCUPATIONAL GROUP**

**SUBJECT**

Technical Career Path (TCP) Development and Staffing Program for
Biological Sciences Occupational Group

**I. PURPOSE**

To implement a TCP Development and Staffing program that provides career
advancement opportunities to higher grade levels (GS-13 through GS-15)
for all professional employees in the GS-400 Biological Sciences
Occupational Group consistent with business needs. This appendix
establishes program criteria where current or anticipated new business
requirements dictate in-house expertise at the higher grade levels is
needed, [and]{.underline} where individual employees have the knowledge,
skill, ability, and competency to perform at those levels.

Opportunities for advanced grade levels provide incentive for employees
in the Biological Sciences Occupational Group to develop the unique
skills needed in a highly sophisticated and complex business. These
positions will provide BPA with appropriate in-house skills for
significant impact and a competitive advantage in the electric utility
marketplace. The attainable grade level of a career path position is
determined by application of classification standards, taking into
account the impact of the duties on achieving strategic business
objectives and the expertise of the employee(s) involved in them.

**II. COVERAGE**

This appendix covers all professional employees in the GS-400 Biological
Sciences Occupational Group. Guidance provided is intended to assure
consistent application of the TCP across Business Lines/Tier 1
organizations.

**III. RESPONSIBILITIES**

A. [Human Resources (HR)]{.underline}. HR provides guidance and advice
for implementing a consistent, equitable TCP across Business Lines/Tier
1 organizations for all employees in professional Biological Sciences
positions at BPA. Human Resources will provide HR technical direction
and assistance to all ranking panels, supervisors/managers and Executive
Management, and will effect resulting personnel actions consistent with
regulatory criteria and the provisions of this program.

B. [Ranking Panel]{.underline}. A ranking panel of subject matter
experts (with Biological Sciences backgrounds), at the same or higher
grade of the Biological Sciences employees being considered for
promotion, will evaluate candidates for proper qualifications, skills,
and knowledge for the position(s) under consideration. The panel is
established collaboratively by the assigned Human Resources Specialist
and line management.

C. [Executive Management]{.underline}. Assesses, based on current and
emerging business opportunities, needs for in-house specialized
Biological Sciences skills and identifies areas of technology/expertise
that are opportunities for Biological Sciences employees to advance
their education and capabilities where those skills are essential to
business success. To the extent feasible, executives will provide
funding required for business related developmental training and
participation in external professional organizations. Executive
Management is responsible for the management and operation of this
program. Executive Management will ensure program coordination across
Business Lines/Tier 1 organizations and establishes new specialty areas
for advanced grade level positions.

D. [Supervisors and Managers]{.underline}. Supervisors and managers will
develop opportunities for Biological Sciences employees to enhance their
skills and grow professionally through work assignments and career
mentoring in needed specialized areas consistent with business needs.
They will assist Executive Management in establishing specialty areas,
as well as recommend the appropriate numbers of, and the grade levels of
the biological scientists to be assigned to the specialty areas.

E. [Employees]{.underline}. Initiate personal growth in identified
needed specialized areas of Biological Sciences that are of high value
to BPA's business success. Document goals and progress, with the aid of
an Individual Development Plan (presented to and approved by the
manager), with appropriate personal commitment to increase knowledge,
experience, and personal effectiveness by seeking, developing, and
accepting assignments. Biological Scientists at advanced grade levels
are accountable for results that lead to lasting, significant
improvements in BPA's programs, which includes sharing their knowledge
with others within BPA.

**IV. GUIDANCE**

A. [Establishing Advanced Grade Level Biological Sciences
Positions]{.underline}.

1\. [Position Justification]{.underline}. Advanced Grade Level
Biological Sciences positions (GS-13 through GS-15) will be justified
based on critical, current or emerging business requirements as
determined by Corporate/Business Line Executives.

Decisions by executives on specific areas, where in-house
technical/scientific expertise at the GS-13 to GS-15 level is needed,
would be justified based on criteria including the following:

a\. Importance of the area of technical/scientific expertise in the
protection/mitigation of natural resources within BPA's scope and
responsibilities.

b\. Importance of the area of technical/scientific expertise to
improving business opportunities.

c\. Importance of the area of technical/scientific expertise to BPA's
customer and constituent services and relationships.

d\. Importance of the area of technical/scientific expertise in
addressing BPA's public responsibilities.

e\. Importance of the area of technical/scientific expertise to the
effective, efficient, and economic operation of hydroelectric systems
and/or transmission facilities.

f\. Replacement of technical/scientific skills expected to be lost
through attrition.

g\. Strategic objectives or business line needs that require having a
leadership role in the particular technical/scientific area.

2\. [Qualifying Factors]{.underline}. Specialized expertise within the
GS-400 Biological Sciences Occupational Group disciplines is required
where it will satisfy at least one of the following factors:

a\. Minimize risks and/or deliver program innovations and solutions of
significant benefit.

b\. Evaluate, develop, adapt, and apply new technology/science to BPA
processes.

c\. Contribute to formulating broad technical/scientific policies.

d\. Aid BPA's business and public benefit interests and concerns in the
region and the industry.

e\. Contribute to integration across program areas or between key Agency
responsibilities/business needs.

B. [Promotion Criteria]{.underline}. (Not an entitlement.)

1\. [Individual Development Plans (IDPs)]{.underline}. Documented
evidence is required that the steps outlined in a biological scientist's
IDP have been accomplished.

2\. [Performance Appraisal]{.underline}. Evidence of accomplishments
relative to IDPs or other related work assignments will be presented by
biological scientists for consideration during performance appraisals.

3\. [Regulatory Requirements]{.underline}. Regulatory requirements shall
be met before advancement occurs.

4\. [Supplemental Information]{.underline}. Criticality of business need
for technical/scientific expertise in specific areas will be determined
by Corporate/Business Line Executives, which impacts promotions to GS-13
or above. The amount of workload in each specialty area of
technical/scientific expertise will also be assessed.

5\. [Ranking Criteria]{.underline}. For biological scientists to advance
to higher grades, in needed areas of technical/scientific expertise,
they shall have demonstrated a combination of knowledge, experience, and
professional recognition directly related to the specific specialty
area. This experience may have been acquired through a combination of
formal training, work experience and/or involvement in closely related
inter-governmental, inter-utility, industry, or professional society
activities. The following are examples that would be clear indicators of
the type of experience that demonstrates appropriate
technical/scientific proficiency. These indicators fall in the broad
categories of specialized knowledge, technical direction,
project/program/policy management and oversight, technical application,
and professional recognition. Other comparably challenging work
experience may be considered.

a\. Promotion of GS-12 biological scientists to GS-13, in areas of
needed Biological Sciences expertise, may include consideration of the
following criteria or other comparably challenging work experience:

> \(1\) [Specialized Knowledge]{.underline}: Successful completion of
> college level or equivalent courses in the area of
> technical/scientific specialization and the application of this
> knowledge to BPA's business needs.
>
> \(2\) [Technical Direction]{.underline}: Develops and communicates
> technical/scientific information in area of specialization such as
> contract specifications, statements of work or standards or procedures
> used BPA-wide, or the writing and/or presentation of conference grade
> papers in area of technical/scientific specialization.
>
> \(3\) [Project Management and Oversight]{.underline}: Designs,
> manages, or performs and reports on individual and/or group of
> investigations, studies, or mitigation efforts in the area of
> specialization.
>
> \(4\) [Technical Application]{.underline}: Develops new, novel
> applications of technology that significantly improve work processes,
> or provides solutions that reduce costs or improve productivity for
> long-standing or significant problems.
>
> \(5\) [Professional Recognition]{.underline}: Active participation in
> professional society committees or inter-governmental or peer group
> committees or regional workgroups in the area of specialization.

b\. Promotion of GS-13 biological scientists to GS-14, in areas of
needed Biological Sciences expertise, may include consideration of the
prerequisites for GS-13 plus the following criteria or other comparably
challenging work experience:

\(1\) [Specialized Knowledge]{.underline}: Routinely conveys to others
specialized technical information/expertise relating to BPA business
needs (e.g., taught technical courses at the college comprehension
level, or taught equivalent technical level classes to others, or made
technical presentations to inter-utility groups, professional society
groups or BPA in-house peer groups) in the area of technical
specialization.

> \(2\) [Technical Direction]{.underline}: Serves as an advisor to
> others on research and development projects in the area of
> specialization with direct application to the business needs of the
> organization.
>
> \(3\) [Program Management and Oversight]{.underline}: Designs,
> manages, or performs and reports on program area investigations,
> studies or mitigation efforts in the area of specialization (i.e.,
> program area management responsibilities).
>
> \(4\) [Technical Application]{.underline}: Assist in the development
> of new or revised regional/national standards which significantly
> contributes to BPA's mission, or significant work of BPA-wide
> importance.
>
> \(5\) [Professional Recognition]{.underline}: Held position(s) with
> leadership responsibility in professional societies, inter-agency,
> inter-utility committees, or peer group committees related to areas of
> specialization.

c\. Promotion of GS-14 biological scientists to GS-15, in areas of
needed Biological Sciences expertise, may include consideration of the
prerequisites for GS-14 plus the following criteria or other comparably
challenging work experience:

> \(1\) [Specialized Knowledge]{.underline}: Peer recognition as a
> "world-class" expert in an area of technology of critical
> regional/national importance, or demonstrates ability to transfer
> knowledge to provide unique significant contributions to BPA, the
> utility industry, or constituents.
>
> \(2\) [Technical Direction]{.underline}: Technical leadership of
> inter-utility or stakeholder projects to develop new or updated
> national/regional standards, or developments that lead to new, unique
> solutions to major utility related or public responsibility related
> issues.
>
> \(3\) [Policy Development and Oversight]{.underline}: Develops and
> recommends policy, applying scientific/technical expertise, effecting
> short range business implications and/or changing BPA's strategic
> business direction.
>
> \(4\) [Technical Application]{.underline}: Contributes significantly
> on issues of great complexity and dollar impact affecting the business
> mission of the agency in the area of specialization on a
> regional/national level of importance.

\(5\) [Professional Recognition]{.underline}: Advisor to National
Boards, Foundations, Commissions, or Academies.

**V. REVIEW AND REVISE**

Corporate/Business Line Executives will assure a review is conducted
biennially to determine the need for continuing existing positions or
for adding new positions.

Corporate and Business Line Executives will also reassess funding
required to support the TCP program for the Biological Sciences
Occupational Group on an annual basis.

Veronica L. Williams

Manager, Human Resources