Initial pay rates on hiring typically are set according to how the position is classified. However, agencies may set the rate of basic pay of a newly appointed employee at a rate above the minimum rate of the appropriate General Schedule grade because of the superior qualifications of the candidate, or a special need of the agency for the candidate’s services.
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Yes. An agency may pay a ratings-based award as is a lump-sum cash payment up to $10,000 without Office of Personnel Management approval and up to $25,000 with OPM approval. It requires only the most recent rating of record as the sole justification for the award.
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A quality step increase permanently raises an employee’s rate of basic pay. A performance-based cash award such as a quality step increase does not.
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