The civil service pay scales within the U.S. is referred to as the General Schedule (GS) pay scale. It consists of fifteen grades. GS-1 is the lowest grade, while GS-15 is the highest. Each grade is broken down into ten steps. The pay associated with each grade increases in each step within that particular grade. The primary parameters taken into account when compiling civil service pay scales are, the required experience with respect to a certain grade, and the level of job responsibility. Additionally, a certain percentage is added to the base civil service pay scales, which suffices for the cost of living expenses associated with a certain region or city. This percentage may vary from region to region. Such amendments to the civil service pay scales are brought about so that government sector can compete with the private sector in terms of employee salaries.
How does one determine his/her position in the civil service pay scales? Educational qualifications of an employee, is the primary yardstick with which the better qualified is filtered from the rest. In this view, GS-1 level is the default grade, which requires no special educational qualification. GS-2 grade in the civil service pay scale belongs to employees who possess high school graduation or equivalent qualification. GS-3 and GS-4 require an education level of one and two years above high school level respectively. GS-5 requires an employee to possess 4 academic years above high school or a Bachelor's degree. GS-7 is for employees possessing Bachelor's degree with Superior Academic Achievement (S.A.A) or one academic year of graduate education. The S.A.A is comprised of three aspects associated with graduate education; class standing, the grade point average and honor society membership. Based on the aforementioned items a college graduate possesses, he/she will be qualified to be instated in a relevant pay scale in GS-7 band. GS-9 band is for employees who have Master's or two academic years of progressively higher level graduate education. GS-11 and GS-12 band are available only for research positions. Experience relative to the position can be combined with the educational qualifications so that the employee can be slotted into a fair grade in the civil service pay scales.
The civil service pay scales can be broken down into three distinct stages. GS-1 through 7 are allocated for entry level positions. GS-8 through 12 cater for salary requirements of mid-level positions. GS-13 to 15 are allotted for technical specialists, senior executives, supervisory and policy positions. Typically, progressing through the civil service pay scales takes place based on seniority. However, an employee may be rewarded with a “quality step increase” without considering the time constraint in the civil service pay scales if he/she demonstrates outstanding performance. Progressing between GS grades follows basically the same pattern. Some of the government departments and agencies (e.g. military, aviation) have adopted a banded pay scheme instead of the GS pay scale owing to administrative infeasibilities.
The Federal Civil Service is defined as "all appointive positions in the executive, judicial, and legislative branches of the Government of the United States, except positions in the uniformed services." Therefore, civil servants are those hired by the government to provide services to the public at the Federal, state and local levels. It is the civil service law that institutes the civil service system and sets down how it is to be run and by whom should it be run.
Civil service law defines the methods through which candidates are selected for the civil service. The methods through which candidates are selected for the civil service include an examination which the merit and fitness of the candidate is adjudged. And the performance of the candidate at this examination plays a large part in determining the candidate’s appointment to the civil service. Civil service law also provides the regulations for the governing of the civil service. The civil service system is established by this legislative body. Civil service law delegates the authority for making laws, conducting investigations and administration work to a board of civil service commissioners.
There are three members appointed to the board of commissioners by the Governor. The Governor appoints these three members on the advice and consent of the Senate. No two members can be of the same party. The Governor also designates the President of the Commission. The President of the Commission is also the head of the State Department. This board of commissioners also oversee the achievement of the objectives and purposes of civil service law. Appointments to this board are made through eligibility lists.
Eligibility lists are made up of people who meet the required qualifications and who have passed the civil service tests and examinations. Civil service law also contains provisions that pertain to civil service procedures and requirements for State service. Also according to civil service law, possible candidates should be hired according to merit and fitness.
The Rules and Regulations: that is the Rules for the Classified Service, the Regulations of the State Civil Service Commission (Commission's Regulations) and the Regulations of the Department of Civil Service (President's Regulations), are what implements civil service law. The Rules and Regulations also provide processes through which the principles expressed in civil service law can be carried out. It is therefore consistent with civil service law. The President of the board of commissioners also oversees the enforcement of the Rules and Regulations.
Civil service law and the Rules and Regulations alone do not govern civil service matters. There are more laws that contain provisions to govern these matters.
The authority and the administration of civil service law is vested in the State Department of Civil Service.
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