330.604—Definitions.
For purposes of this subpart:
(a)
Agency means an Executive Department, a Government corporation, and an independent establishment as cited in 5 U.S.C. 105. For the purposes of this program, the term “agency” includes all components of an organization, including its Office of Inspector General.
(b)
Component means the first major subdivision of an agency, that is separately organized and clearly distinguished from other components in work function and operation.
(1)
A current career or career conditional competitive service employee in tenure group 1 or 2, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, who has received a specific reduction in force (RIF) separation notice or notice of proposed removal for declining a directed reassignment or transfer of function outside of the local commuting area; or,
(2)
A current Executive Branch agency employee in the excepted service, serving on an appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, who has been given noncompetitive appointment eligibility and selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service, and who is in receipt of a reduction in force separation notice or notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment outside of the local commuting area.
(d)
Eligible employee means a surplus or displaced employee who meets the conditions set forth in § 330.605(a).
(e)
Local commuting area means the geographic area that usually constitutes one area for employment purposes as determined by the agency. It includes any population center (or two or more neighboring ones) and the surrounding localities in which people live and can reasonably be expected to travel back and forth daily to their usual employment.
(f)
Reorganization means the planned elimination or redistribution of work functions within an agency, normally announced in writing.
(g)
Special selection priority means that, except as provided by § 330.606(d), surplus and/or displaced employees eligible under this subpart must be selected over any other candidate for vacancies in the local commuting area for which they apply and are found well-qualified.
(h)
Suitability means determinations based on an individual's character or conduct that may impact the efficiency of the service by jeopardizing an agency's accomplishment of its duties or responsibilities, or by interfering with or preventing effective service in the competitive, excepted or SES position applied for or employed in, and determinations that there is a statutory or regulatory bar to employment.
(1)
A current agency employee serving under an appointment in the competitive service, in tenure group 1 or 2, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, who has received a certificate of expected separation or other official certification issued by the agency indicating that the position is surplus, for example, a notice of position abolishment, or a notice stating that the employee is eligible for discontinued service retirement; or,
(2)
A current Executive Branch agency employee serving on an excepted service appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, who has been issued a certificate of expected separation or other official agency certification indicating that his or her position is surplus, for example, a notice of position abolishment or a notice stating that the employee is eligible for discontinued service retirement, and who has been conferred noncompetitive appointment eligibility and special selection priority by statute for positions in the competitive service; and
(3)
At an agency's discretion, a current Executive Branch employee serving on a Schedule A or B excepted appointment without time limit, at grade levels GS-15 or equivalent and below, and who is in receipt of a certificate of expected separation or other official agency certification indicating that his or her job is surplus, for example, a notice of position abolishment, or an official notice stating that the employee is eligible for discontinued service retirement; or an employee who has received a RIF notice of separation, or a notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment outside of the local commuting area. Such employee may exercise selection priority for permanent excepted service positions within the agency's local commuting area, provided the position to which appointed has the same appointing authority, i.e., Schedule A or B, as the position from which being separated.
(j)
Vacancy means a competitive service position filled for a total of 121 days or more, including all extensions, which the agency is filling, regardless of whether the agency issues a specific vacancy announcement.
(k)
Well-qualified employee means an eligible employee who possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities which clearly exceed the minimum qualification requirements for the position. A well-qualified employee will not necessarily meet the agency's definition of “highly or best qualified,” when evaluated against other candidates who apply for a particular vacancy, but must satisfy the following criteria, as determined and consistently applied by the agency:
(1)
Meets the basic qualification standards and eligibility requirements for the position, including any medical qualifications, suitability, and minimum educational and experience requirements; and
(i)
Meets all selective factors where applicable. Meets appropriate quality rating factor levels as determined by the agency. Selective and quality ranking factors cannot be so restrictive that they run counter to the goal of placing displaced employees. In the absence of selective and quality ranking factors, selecting officials will document the job-related reason(s) the eligible employee is or is not considered to be well qualified; or
(ii)
Is rated by the agency to be above minimally qualified in accordance with the agency's specific rating and ranking process. Generally, this means that the individual may or may not meet the agency's test for “highly qualified,” but would in fact, exceed the minimum qualifications for the position;
(3)
Is physically qualified, with reasonable accommodation where appropriate, to perform the essential duties of the position;