9901.212—Pay schedules and pay bands.

(a) For purposes of identifying relative levels of work and corresponding pay ranges, the Secretary may establish one or more pay schedules within each career group.
(b) Each pay schedule may include one or more pay bands.
(c) The Secretary will document in implementing issuances the definitions for each pay band which specify the type and range of difficulty and responsibility, qualifications or competencies, or other characteristics of the work encompassed by the pay band.
(d) The Secretary will—
(1) Use qualification standards established or approved by OPM, or establish qualification standards for positions covered by NSPS, subject to § 9901.105(b)(2); and
(2) Designate qualification standards and requirements for each career group, occupational series, pay schedule, and/or pay band.