RD Instruction 2054-A

PART 2054 - EMPLOYMENT

Subpart A - Within-Grade Salary Increases

§ 2054.1 [General]{.underline}.

This instruction provides guidelines for granting and withholding
within-grade increases (WGIs). A WGI is a one-step salary increase
within a General Schedule (GS) grade given after a waiting period,
providing the employee\'s performance is at an acceptable level of
competence based on a current rating of record. Acceptable level of
competence means performance by an employee that warrants advancement of
the employee's rate of basic pay to the next higher step of the grade or
the next higher rate within the grade of his or her position. Form
AD-658, "Within-Grade Increase Record," is used by Rural Development for
obtaining certification for WGIs. The requirements for granting and
withholding WGIs are provided in 5 CFR 531 Subpart D, "Within-Grade
Increases.\"

\(a\) [Earning a within-grade increase]{.underline}. An employee who
occupies a permanent position who is paid at less than the maximum rate
of the grade of his/her position shall earn advancement in pay to the
next higher step of the grade after certain waiting periods, provided
that his/her rating of record for the most recently completed appraisal
period is at an acceptable level of competence, and if no equivalent
increase was received during the waiting period.

\(b\) [Waiting period for a within-grade increase]{.underline}.
Creditable service, which generally includes civilian employment in any
branch of the Federal Government or with a Government corporation, is
described in 5 CFR 531.406. The waiting periods for advancement of
full-time and part-time employees with a regular tour of duty are:

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DISTRIBUTION: WSAL Human Resources

Employment

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(03-17-04) PN 372

RD Instruction 2054-A

§ 2054.1(b) (Con.)

> \(1\) [Length of waiting period for permanent employees.]{.underline}

  -------------------------- --------------------- -----------------------
  From STEP                  To STEP               Weeks

  1                          2                     52

  2                          3                     52

  3                          4                     52

  4                          5                     104

  5                          6                     104

  6                          7                     104

  7                          8                     156

  8                          9                     156

  9                          10                    156
  -------------------------- --------------------- -----------------------

> \(2\) [Length of waiting period for employees without a scheduled tour
> of duty.]{.underline} Waiting periods for advancement are:

+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| From STEP   | To STEP    | Days  | Pay Status in Calendar Weeks      |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 1           | 2          | 260   | > not less than 52                |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 2           | 3          | 260   | > not less than 52                |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 3           | 4          | 260   | > not less than 52                |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 4           | 5          | 520   | > not less than 104               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 5           | 6          | 520   | > not less than 104               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 6           | 7          | 520   | > not less than 104               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 7           | 8          | 780   | > not less than 156               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 8           | 9          | 780   | > not less than 156               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+
| 9           | 10         | 780   | > not less than 156               |
+-------------+------------+-------+-----------------------------------+

\(c\) [Beginning of a waiting period]{.underline}. A waiting period
begins:

\(1\) On the first day of appointment as an employee of the Federal
Government, regardless of tenure;

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RD Instruction 2054-A

§ 2054.1(c) (Con.)

\(2\) Upon receiving an equivalent increase. An "equivalent increase" is
an increase or increases in an employee's rate of basic pay equal to or
greater than the difference between the employee's rate of basic pay and
the rate of basic pay for the next higher step of the employee's grade.
An increase in an employee's rate of basic pay is not considered an
"equivalent increase" when it results from a) a statutory pay
adjustment, including a general pay increase authorized for the General
Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5303, b) the establishment of or increase in a
special salary rate schedule, c) a quality step increase, or d) certain
other pay increases described in 5 CFR 531.407(c); or

\(3\) After a period of nonpay status or a break in service (alone or in
combination) in excess of 52 calendar weeks, unless the nonpay status or
break in service is creditable service as defined in 5 CFR 531.406.

§§ 2054.2 -- 2054.50 \[Reserved\]

oOo

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(03-17-04) PN 372