Comment Number: OL-10502919
Received: 3/3/2005 12:44:06 PM
Subject: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment
Title: National Security Personnel System
CFR Citation: 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901
No Attachments

Comments:

Let me begin by saying that I support the NSPS initiative. I have long been a proponent of "pay for performance" as well as revamping other HR policies to bring Gov't more in line with our competitors for good employees in private industry. My comment/question addresses Pay Banding. The proposed rule doesn't indicate the grades included in each band; however, the latest information at my activity indicates that the bands will most likely be 1-4, 5-8, 9-13, an 14-15. While, I am not concerned with the distribution, I am concerned about ensuring appropriate compensation for different levels of responsibility within bands. For example, in my organization, there are many current GS-13s. The majority are journeymen in career positions; some are in team leader positions which include workload assignment and management, but not full supervisory responsibilities; and finally, a very small percentage are actually full supervisors. Initial infomation on NSPS indicated that there may be differential within bands to distinguish between these three groups (regardless of grade), i.e., there may be supplemental compensation for team leader and/or supervisory positions. Is this still being considered? From a pure personal perspective, I am a GS13 supervisor with journey level technical responsibilities plus the full scope of supervisory responsibilities. I understand that I accepted the position knowing exactly what was entailed, and my organization has been more than fair with me in terms of compensation/recognition. But I also look around at my contemporaries with far less responsibility, and I believe it will be highly unfair to have to compete with them for my share. The 14-15 band does not have the same issues because the vast majority are managers/supervisors. It is very rare to have a pure technician at that level, at least in my command. I highly recommend that some differential for individuals with supervisory responsibilities be considered when constructing the final rules on compensation.