Special rates.

CFR · 2024-01-01 · US · Title 5

(a) A lead agency, with the approval of OPM, may establish special rates for use within all or part of a wage area for a designated occupation or occupational specialization and grade, in lieu of rates on the regular schedule. OPM may authorize special rates to the extent it considers necessary to overcome existing or likely significant handicaps in the recruitment or retention of well-qualified personnel when these handicaps are due to any of the following circumstances: (1) Rates of pay offered by private sector employers for an occupation or occupational specialization and grade are significantly higher than those paid by the Federal Government within the competitive labor market; (2) The remoteness of the area or location involved; or (3) Any other circumstances that OPM considers appropriate. (b) In authorizing special rates, OPM shall consider— (1) The number of existing or likely vacant positions and the length of time they have been vacant, including evidence to support the likelihood that a recruitment problem will develop if one does not already exist; (2) The number of employees who have or are likely to quit, including the number quitting for higher pay positions and evidence to support the likelihood that employees will quit; (3) The number of vacancies employing agencies tried to fill and the number of hires and offers made; (4) The nature of the existing labor market; (5) The degree to which employing agencies have considered or used increased minimum rates for

official document · source cfr-2024 · id 5:§ 532.251