Opinion ID: 698292
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Same Line of Work

Text: 78 The Government next argues that Gonji's prior service as a Laborer with the DoD Postal Service was not in the same line of work as his Library Technician position with the DoD Dependents Schools. Gonji alleges that the duties he performed in these positions were similar, and that the job skills and performance descriptions rather than the job titles control whether positions are in the same line of work. 79 Neither party to this appeal has raised the issue of whether 5 U.S.C. Sec. 7511(a)(1)(A) may have exempted competitive service appointees from a same or similar positions or same line of work requirement. See Mathis v. United States Postal Serv., 865 F.2d 232, 234 (Fed.Cir.1988) (recognizing that 5 U.S.C. Sec. 7511(a)(1) does not include the same or similar positions requirement for individuals in the competitive service). We therefore do not reach this issue. 80 At the time of Gonji's termination, the Federal Personnel Manual defined the term same line of work as follows: 81 For purposes of the probationary period, same line of work means that the duties performed are similar in nature and character and require substantially the same qualifications (including knowledges, skills and abilities), so that an employee could be interchanged between the positions without significant training or undue interruption to the work. The controlling factor remains the duties actually performed, and agencies must make this determination on an individual basis. 82 FPM Ch. 315, 8-4a (1992). 83 In his appeal to the Board, Gonji alleged that his prior service was in the same line of work. Gonji attached an affidavit describing each of his two positions in similar terms. He described his position in the DoD Postal Service as including filing, accountability, inventory, administrative duties, and other work related to the mail services. He similarly described his duties at the DoD Dependents Schools as involving filing, accountability, and related administrative tasks within the school library. He stated that [t]hese tasks and responsibilities were similar to those which I performed in my former position with the Post Office, and stated that he received no additional or specialized training or instructions for this position. Manifestly, Gonji has raised non-frivolous allegations that his two positions were in the same line of work. He is therefore entitled to an evidentiary hearing on the issue. See Dumas, 789 F.2d at 894.