Making the rounds today......... (3/13/09 theysaid)

Letterman

Date: March 13, 2009
Subject: Firefighter Retention Incentive
To: All Region 5 Employees

My letter of December 9, 2008, announced implementation of a 10 percent group retention incentive for all employees GS-05 (including apprentices) through GS-08, who occupy positions covered by firefighter retirement. The incentive will begin March 1, 2009, and continue through February 28, 2010. Employees receiving the incentive will receive individual notification letters.

Human Resources and Fire Management have been working jointly to identify those who are eligible for the incentive. A list of eligible employees, covered positions, and criteria for the retention incentive was recently validated by each Forest Fire Management Officer. Actions are being processed with an effective date of March 1, 2009, for employees who meet all of the following criteria:

* Occupy a covered firefighter retirement position in grades GS-05 through GS-08 as their permanent position of record.
* Have (and maintain) a performance rating record of at least “Fully Successful” or equivalent.
* Have been employed by the Forest Service continuously for a period of at least one calendar year on March 1, 2009 (those who have not completed one year will be eligible at the beginning of the first full pay period following completion of the one-year period).
* Are not on a temporary promotion (competitive or non-competitive).
* Are not completing service for a previously approved recruitment, relocation, or retention incentive.
* Are not in a developmental position with full performance grade of GS-09 or above.

The 10 percent retention incentive will be calculated from the appropriate salary table that determines the rate of basic pay, which includes locality or special rates. It is not considered part of an employee’s rate of basic pay for any purpose, including overtime, severance pay, lump-sum annual leave, “high 3” for retirement calculations, etc.

Retention incentives will terminate on February 28, 2010, if not renewed. Incentives will also be terminated when an employee leaves the covered position for a non-covered position, budgetary reasons, labor-market changes, etc. The individual notification letters provide a full explanation of conditions that could result in termination of the retention incentive. Enclosed is a list of frequently asked questions.

I remain committed to actively supporting efforts to improve firefighter recruitment and retention, and to maintaining a highly skilled firefighting force in the Pacific Southwest Region.

/s/ James M. Peña (for)
RANDY MOORE
Regional Forester

Enclosure

FAQs for 10% Group Retention

Q1. Does temporary employment time count toward the “Have been employed by the Forest Service continuously for a period of at least one calendar year on March 1, 2009” requirement?

A1. Yes.

Q2. I am in a developmental GS-07 position for a Supervisory Engine Operator GS-08. Am I eligible for the retention allowance while in this developmental position?

A2. Yes, but if the developmental target grade was GS-09 then you would not be eligible.

Q3. If I receive a promotion to a GS-08 firefighter retirement covered position will my retention allowance continue?  What if it’s a promotion to a GS-09?

A3. Yes, the retention allowance would continue and the 10% would be based on the GS-08 rate of basic pay.  If you’re promoted to a GS-09, your retention incentive would end.

Q4. Why would a temporary promotion to a position that’s firefighter retirement covered end my retention?

A4. The intent of the incentive is to keep you in your covered position and that would not be possible when you are occupying the position temporarily.  The incentive is temporarily suspended and would resume when you return to your official position.

Q5. What should I consider before taking a temporary or permanent promotion that would end my retention allowance?

A5. This is a personal decision in which you need to decide what is most important for you and your current personal situation.  One thing to consider is the retention allowance is calculated on base hours paid.  Therefore, the higher grade may reap more money in the form of overtime.  Another is the higher graded position has the benefit of experience at a higher grade and would count as the salary for the “high 3” earnings for the calculation of a retirement annuity.  Also, the retention allowance is not guaranteed to last beyond February 28, 2010. 

Q6. What if I detail (not receiving a temporary promotion) into a higher graded, firefighter retirement-covered position?

A6.  Yes.  As long as your official position remains the same and it is eligible for the retention allowance (GS-05 through GS-08), then your retention allowance would continue.  The retention allowance would continue to be calculated on your official position and not the position you are detailed in.

Q7. How can I tell I’m being paid the incentive?

A7. You will receive a Notification of Personnel Action SF-50B document saying “Retention Incentive.”  Also, on your Statement of Leave and Earnings you will see Transaction Code 52 Retention Allowance.

Q8. How is the 10% retention allowance calculated?

A8. Multiply your hourly rate (which includes your locality or special rate) by 10%.  This is the extra amount you will receive.  Multiply this amount by the base hours in the pay period (a maximum of 80 hours).  This would be your biweekly 10% retention allowance.

Q9. Why isn’t the retention allowance used for overtime or high 3?

A9.  It is a statutory requirement that the retention incentive is not part of the rate of basic pay for any purpose [reference 5 USC Sec 5754(e)(3)].

Q10.  Is the retention incentive taxed?

A10. Yes, because it is monies received subject to federal, state, and applicable Medicare/Social Security taxes.

Q11. What positions are covered under firefighter retirement?

A11.  The following are the list of positions used for the group retention:

             Position types in NFP Tracking database qualifying for Firefighter retirement

Q12. I thought if I wasn’t covered under firefighter retirement I wouldn’t be eligible?

A12. The intent of the retention is to keep specific firefighter retirement covered positions permanently occupied.  Also, the Regional Forester’s intent was to equitably compensate employees who were occupying the same firefighter retirement covered position, whether or not individually they were covered under firefighter retirement.  Therefore, positions were targeted vice individual coverage.

Q13. Would I receive the retention allowance if I’m currently on nonpay status on March 1, 2009?

A13. Yes, however, you would not see any payment until you started working as the 10% retention allowance is calculated on base hours paid.
 

Q14. What if I take extended leave?  What happens to my retention allowance?

A14. As long as you are paid for the leave the allowance would continue to be paid on those hours.

Q15. What happens if I go on Worker’s Compensation?

A15.  If you are on Continuation of Pay (COP) the allowance would continue because you continue to receive base pay.  When extended leave without pay due to OWCP begins, then the allowance would no longer be paid.

Q16. I want to apply for a R5 position that’s offering a relocation incentive on a position eligible for the retention incentive. Can I receive the relocation incentive? Would my current retention allowance end?

A16.  A relocation incentive may be offered to an employee who is receiving previously authorized retention incentive payments.  Therefore, you would be able to receive the relocation incentive and continue the retention incentive.

Q17. Am I obligated to stay until the allowance ends?  What if I leave?

A17. The retention incentive is to encourage R5 firefighters to remain in GS-05 through GS-08 covered firefighter retirement positions as long as possible.  If you leave for a position not eligible for the retention allowance, the allowance simply ends.  Since the incentive is paid after a person is paid their base hours, you are not obligated to pay back the monies you previously received.

Q18. Is there a guarantee the incentive will last until February 2010?

A18. No, there is no guarantee the incentive will last.  It is the intent of the Regional Forester to have the incentive last through February 28, 2010; however, there are no guarantees.  Also, it must be reviewed at that time to determine if it can/should be extended.

Q19. Can managers recruit firefighters from other regions to come here because of the retention incentive? 

A19. It is not appropriate to use the intention allowance to recruit firefighters.  However, if hired from another region and the employee meets all the eligibility criteria, they will be included in the group incentive.

Q20. What are the reasons for terminating my allowance?

A20. Please refer to your individual notification letter on your allowance and be aware the retention allowance must be terminated when you are demoted, separated for cause, receive a less than Fully Successful rating, or you leave a position authorized for the 10% group retention.