Eligibility

The following eligibility requirements apply when recommending an employee for a Quality Step Increase (QSI):

• If the employee is covered by the five-level system, he or she must have received a final rating of Level 5
• NOAA Corps Officers and employees who are part of the Demonstration Project are not eligible for QSIs
• A QSI may be granted in addition to a regular within-grade increase if the following eligibility requirements are met. The employee:
  
   
  • has held the same grade and type of position, and not been detailed or temporarily promoted (unless to the same type of
    position) for at least 6 months prior to the end of the appraisal cycle
     
  • has been in a pay status for at least 6 months before the end of the appraisal cycle
     
• does not have a promotion in progress or anticipated within 60 days after the effective date of the increase
   
• is not at the top step of his/her grade
   
• has not received a QSI within 52 consecutive calendar weeks preceding the effective date of the increase.*

*Multiple QSIs should only occur in rare circumstances.

Page last edited: April 02, 2008