U.S. Office of Personnel Management Variations to Staffing Regulations

AGENCIES: THIS NOTICE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATIVE TO VARIATION REQUESTS. Section 5.1 of civil service rule V requires the Office of Personnel Management to inform agencies about variations which it grants under that rule.

Heads of Departments and Independent Establishments:

1. This notice describes non-precedent-setting variations to staffing regulations granted between October 1, 1997, and December 31, 1997.

2. Six variations were granted to the 4-year service limit for term appointments contained in 5 CFR 316.301:

- On October 1, 1997, an additional 1-year extension was granted to a previous 3-month extension for a Writer-Editor, GS-1082-12, with the Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. As part of an interagency agreement with the Agency for International Development, this extension will permit the employee to electronically publish the Latin American/Caribbean Business Bulletin.

- On November 3, 1997, a 1-year extension was granted for a Medical Officer, GS-602-14, with the Department of the Army, Fort Carson, Colorado, to alleviate a shortage of medical care at the Evans Army Community Hospital.

- On November 13, 1997, a 3-month extension was granted for a Geologist, GS-1350-12, with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, to complete a mineral resources project.

- On December 15, 1997, a 1-year extension was granted for an Archeologist, GS-193-11, with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, to complete work on several archeological projects.

- On December 17, 1997, a 1-year extension was granted for a Secretary, GS-318-6, with the Department of the Army, Military Traffic Management Command, to provide continued support in the Integrated Booking System Project Management Office.

- On December 17, 1997, a 2-year extension was granted for an Ecologist, GS-408-9, with the Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, to permit the employee to continue work on the Chesapeake Bay Ecosystem Initiative.

In keeping with the variation criteria and precedents, each of these variations: avoids unnecessary hardship to the agency that disruption to the project/work in which the employee is involved would cause if a staff change were to occur now; is within the spirit of the term appointment regulation by extending the employment in a manner consistent with the nonpermanent nature of the work; and promotes Government efficiency by enabling expeditious continuation of the project through retention of employees already knowledgeable of the ongoing work.

3. Section 5.1 of civil service rule V requires that like variations be granted in like circumstances. Therefore, if an agency believes it has a case which parallels one of those described in this notice, a variation may be requested. Agencies are reminded, however, that variation is appropriate only when no other authority exists to remedy the hardship or practical difficulty. All requests for variation must be sent through the headquarters of the agency or department involved and must be transmitted to the Office of Personnel Management for final action. Agencies do not have authority to approve variations.

[signed]

Janice R. Lachance
Director

Inquiries: Staffing Reinvention Office
Employment Service, (202) 606-0830

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