'£-" • 10 ^m Office of Administration and Resources Management
^" • ** Human Resources Management Division
Hiring
&
Disabled Workers
A guide for managers and supervisors who wish to
add valuable employees to the workforce
Research Triangle Park, N.C.
March 1991
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Introduction
The Human Resources Management Division has prepared this booklet to
provide RTF supervisors and managers with general information and the
procedures for employing persons with physical or mental disabilities. One of
EPA's major goals is to employ a well qualified work force to carry out its missions.
Persons with disabilities can and should be a part of our team.
Special Employment Programs for the disabled have been a part of the Federal
hiring picture for many years, but never has the emphasis on these programs been
so great as it is today. Providing employment is only the starting point of our
responsibilities to the individuals placed in the work force under these special
appointment authorities. We must provide challenging work assignments consistent
with the individual employee's abilities in a positive work environment.
The special appointment authorities contained in this booklet provide you with an
excellent opportunity to obtain capable and productive workers as well as present
the Federal government as an effective and innovative employer.
For additional information and assistance with your plans to hire disabled workers,
please contact your servicing personnel specialist or Shirley Bowens, Special
Employment Program Coordinator, at ext. 4381.
. Brady, Director
' Human Resources Management Division
March 1991
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Table of Contents
Programs for the Physically Disabled
700-Hour Temporary Appointments
Severely Physically Disabled Persons
Compensably Disabled Veterans
Training Programs for Disabled Veterans
Programs for the Mentally Disabled
700-Hour Temporary Appointments
Mentally Restored Persons
Mentally Retarded Persons
Miscellaneous Programs for Both Physically and
Mentally Disabled Persons
1
2
3
4
6
7
8
Unpaid iVork F xperience 9
Summer Employment for Mentally Retarded and Severely Physically
Disabled Youths 10
II
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Programs for the Physically Disabled
700-Hour Temporary Appointments
Purpose
To provide initial or temporary trial appointments to individuals with severe physical disabilities and those
who are mentally restored after treatment for mental or emotional disorder.
Duration
Total employment may not exceed 700 actual work hours during a period of 12 consecutive months.
Satisfactory service may lead to excepted appointment under special procedures for the physically disabled
employee.
Appointment Guidelines
Appointments are made directly without the need to use competitive procedures. Candidates may be eligible
either by meeting qualification requirements for the position, including any written test, if required, or if
appropriate certification is received from a counselor of the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or State
vocational rehabilitation agency. Must meet citizenship requirements.
Tenure
Employees may be separated at any time. Temporary limited appointment does not confer competitive
status, and employees do not serve a probationary period.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate but are not
eligible for within-grade increases. Appointments may be made up to GS-15 and equivalent.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents are not eligible for FEGLI, FEHB, and FERS but are covered by Social Security. Those with
regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible to file for benefits under FECA for
work-related injury or illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 306, Subchapter 4-2(b); FPM Chapter 316, Subchapter 2-8.
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Programs for the Physically Disabled
Severely Physically Disabled Persons
Purpose
To provide for the continuing employment of severely disabled individuals who have demonstrated ability to
do a job effectively and safely either through a temporary trial appointment (NTE 700 hours) or certification
by the DVA or State vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Duration
No time limitation.
Appointment Guidelines
Appointments are excepted from competitive civil service procedures. Authority is granted under Schedule
A, Section 213.3102(u). Eligibility is based primarily on the severity of the physical impairment.
Tenure
Under reduction-in-force procedures, incumbents compete with other employees holding appointments under
the same hiring authority. Based upon supervisory recommendation, employee may be noncompetitively
converted to career-conditional or career status after two continuous years of satisfactory performance under
a nontemporary appointment. Must meet citizenship requirements prior to conversion.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate and are
eligible for within-grade increases. Agencies may make promotions and reassignments within the same
department or agency.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents with full or part-time appointments in excess of one year are eligible for FERS and may be
eligible for FEGLI and FEHB. Those with regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible
to file under FECA for work-related injury or illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against FTE ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 306, Subchapter 4.
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Programs for the Physically Disabled
Compensably Disabled Veterans (30 percent )
Purpose
To provide temporary employment for severely disabled veterans.
Duration
Appointment may not exceed one year but may be renewed in one-year increments for a total of four years of
service. Incumbents may be noncompetitively converted to career-conditional appointments provided that
the veteran has performed satisfactorily and meets applicable qualification requirements for the position in
which conversion is to be effected.
Appointment Guidelines
A veteran who has been rated by a military department or the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) as
having a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more may receive a noncom petitive
temporary appointment to any position in the competitive service for which qualified. The veteran’s
disability must be documented by a notice of retirement or discharge due to service-connected disability from
active military service (dated at any time) or by a notice of compensable disability rating from the DVA
(dated within the last 12 months).
Tenure
Employees under a temporary appointment may be separated at any time.
Classification and Salay
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate but are not
eligible for within-grade increases.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents are not eligible forFEGLI, FEHB, and FERS but are covered by Social Security. Those with
regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible to file for benefits under FECA for
work-related injury or illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the VIE ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 316, Subchapter 2-7 (10); Chapter 315, Subchapter 7-8.
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Programs for the Physically Disabled
Training Programs for Disabled Veterans
Purpose
To assist Agencies in meeting short and long-range employment needs and to provide on-the-job training and
work experience for disabled veterans.
Duration
Depends on the veteran and the target position, which is determined by the DVA and the host agency. The
host Agency signs an agreement for training or work experience. When the goal is noncompetitive
appointment, the veteran must meet the qualification requirements of the target position upon completion of
training.
Appointment Guidelines
There are two on-the-job training plans available for disabled veterans in Federal agencies.
Under Plan 1, disabled veterans are appointed as career-conditional employees while participating
in the training plan.
Under Plan 2, the veteran is an unpaid worker in training to become qualified for employment. Such
training plans must be approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). There is no set length for
the training plan; however, the goal of the training is a noncom petitive special tenure appointment. With
OPM approval, the special tenure appointment may lead to a career-conditional appointment.
Specific training plan requirements may be obtained from your Personnel Management Specialist.
Tenure
Under Plan 1, the partk ipant is a permanent Federal employee.
Under Plan 2, the participant is not a Federal employee and may be terminated at any time.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be established and classified. Under Plan 2, participants are beneficiaries of DVA and receive
no compensation from the host Agency.
Fringe Benefits
Under Plan 1, participants are eligible for all FEGLI, FEHB, and FECA, and FERS benefits and earn
annual or sick leave.
Under Plan 2, participants are not eligible for FEGLI, FEHB, and FERS benefits and do not earn annual or
sick leave. They are eligible to file for benefits under FECA due to work-related injury or illness.
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Training Programs for Disabled Veterans, continued
Veterans who are given a special tenure appointment are status quo employees and are entitled to
participate in Federal health, life insurance, and retirement programs.
Position Ceiling
Plan 1 positions count against the VIE ceiling. Unpaid on-the-job training LS ceiling exempt for Plan 2.
Reference
FPM Chapter 315, Subchapter 6-6, Appendix B.
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Programs for the Mentally Disabled
700-Hour Temporaiy Appointments
Purpose
To provide initial or temporary trial appointments to individuals with severe physical disabilities and those
who are mentally restored after treatment for mental or emotional disorder.
Duration
Total employment may not exceed 700 actual work hours during a period of 12 consecutive months.
Satisfactory service may lead to excepted appointment under special procedures for the mentally restored
employee.
Appointment Guidelines
Appointments are made directly without the need to use competitive procedures. Candidates may be eligible
either by meeting qualification requirements for the position, including any written test, if required, or if
appropriate certification is received from a counselor of the Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) or State
vocational rehabilitation agency. Must meet citizenship requirements.
Tenure
Employees may be separated at any time. Temporary limited appointment does not confer competitive
status, and employees do not serve a probationary period.
Class(fication and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate but are not
eligible for within-grade increases. Appointments may be made up to GS-15 and equivalent.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents are not eligible for FEGLI, FEHB, and FERS but are covered by Social Security. Those with
regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. Al! are eligible to file for benefits under FECA for
work-related injury or illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 306, Subchapter 4-2(b); FPM Chapter 316, Subchapter 2-8.
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Programs for the Mentally Disabled
Mentally Restored Persons
Purpose
To provide employment opportunities for individuals judged by competent medical authority to resume
normal employment activities following mental or emotional difficulty and professional treatment either as
in- or out-patients of an institution.
Duration
Excepted appointment may not exceed two years including service under any preliminary trial (NTE 700
hours) appointment, but such an appointment may be repeated provided there is a break in service of at least
90 days as a result of mental illness. For continued employment, individuals must qualify for competitive
civil service appointment, reinstatement, or some other noncompetitive appointment and meet citizenship
requirements.
Appointment Guidelines
To be eligible, persons must (1) have a documented history of mental illness that includes periods of
hospitalization and/or out-patient treatment within the previous two years; (2) be certified by either a State
or DVA vocational rehabilitation counselor as being capable of functioning in a specific position; and (3) as a
result of the illness, be currently unemployed or have had a significant period of substantially disrupted
employment within the previous two years. Use of this appointing authority requires prior approval from the
Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
Tenure
Excepted appointment does not confer competitive status. Employees may be separated at any time.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate and are
eligible for within-grade increases.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents with full or part-time appointments in excess of one year are eligible for FERS and may be
eligible for FEGLI and FEHB. Those with regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible
to file under FECA for work-related injury and illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the VIE ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 306, Subchapter 6.
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Programs for the Mentally Disabled
Mentally Retarded Persons
Purpose
To provide employment for mentally retarded persons in positions where their capabilities can be effectively
used.
Duration
No lime limitation, but time limited appointments can be negotiated with the assistance of the appropriate
vocational rehabilitation counselor.
Appointment Guidelines
Appointments are excepted from competitive civil service procedures. Certification is required from the
State vocational rehabilitation agency prior to initial appointment and for any subsequent promotion to
ensure that the individual has the ability to perform the higher-graded duties of the position. They must
demonstrate that they are physically qualified to do the work without hazard to themselves or to others and
that they are competent to maintain themselves in a work environment. Must also meet citizenship
requirements.
Tenure
Employees do not complete a probationary period and compete with others serving under the same
appointment authority during a reduction-in-force. After two years of successful performance under a
nontemporary appointnent in the excepted service, employees may be noncompetitively converted to
career-conditional or career status based on supervisory recommendations.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate and are
eligible for within-grade increases.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents with full or part-time appointments in excess of one year are eligible for FERS and may be
eligible for FEGLI and FEUB. Those with regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible
to file under FECA for work-related injury and illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the FTE ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 306, Subchapter 7.
S
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Miscellaneous Programs
Unpaid Work Experience
Purpose
To provide work experience and related training for disabled clients of State vocational rehabilitation
agencies so that they are better equipped to compete for positions in the public and private sectors.
Duration
Determined by the working agreement developed between the host Agency and a State vocational
rehabilitation agency.
Appointment Guidelines
Participation requirements are outlined in the working agreement. Qualified participants may receive
consideration for vacancies through competitive or excepted appointment procedures. Assignments must not
displace current employees or impair existing contracts for services.
Tenure
Participants are not Federal employees. Upon completion of training, eligible candidates may be considered
for employment through established excepted or competitive civil service procedures.
ClassWcation and Salary
Participants perform duties specified in the agreement. They are not Federal employees and receive no
compensation from the host agency. They may receive compensation from the State agency.
Fringe Benefits
Participants are not eligible for Federal Employees Group Life Insurance (FEGLI), Federal Employees
Health Benefits (FEHB), or Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and do not earn annual or sick
leave. They may be eligible to receive compensation for work-related injury or illness through the State
agency.
Position Ceiling
Unpaid work experience is exempt from the Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE) ceiling.
Reference
Federal Personnel Manual (FPM) Chapter 306, Subchapter 11.
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Miscellaneous Programs
Summer Employment for Mentally Retarded
and Severely Physically Disabled Youths
Purpose
To provide disabled persons with valuable work experience. Many of these youths have a limited perspective
about career choices because of lack of exposure to the work environment.
Duration
May 13 through September 30.
Appointment Guidelines
Appointments may be made under the Summer Announcement or under a 700-hour temporary appointment
if applicants meet OPM requirements. Mentally retarded and severely physically disabled youths may also
be appointed as summer aides under the same criteria used for appointments under Schedule A authority
213.3102 (t) and (u). Severely physically disabled and mentally retarded youths are exempt from the needs
criteria and the restrictions on employing children of employees.
Tenure
Employee may be terminated at any time.
Classification and Salary
Positions must be officially established and classified. Employees are paid at the appropriate rate.
Fringe Benefits
Incumbents are not eligible for FEGLI, FEHB, and FERS but are covered by Social Security. Those with
regular tours of duty earn annual and sick leave. All are eligible to file for benefits under FECA for
work-related injury and illness.
Position Ceiling
All hours worked count against the FTE ceiling.
Reference
FPM Chapter 332, Appendix J.
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S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1991—527—090/27007
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