Procedures for Obtaining a SEE Enrollee
In order to obtain a SEE enrollee, it is necessary to prepare multiple documents which can be referred to as the SEE Enrollee Recruitment Package. The Package includes:
- an Enrollee Requisition form and Position Description;
- a Cost Analysis Worksheet;
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a Commitment Notice,
Note: an IFMS/REQL Funds Commitment (if funding must be obligated to cover the position);
- a Certification of non displacement,
- and a cover memorandum
This complete SEE Enrollee Recruitment Package is sent to the SEE Coordinator for review, signature and dissemination in accordance with local policy (e.g., return to monitor, or forward to grantee, and if funding is included, send the funding documents to the SEE Program Manager).
Specific information on the documents and general procedures is as follows;
- The monitor prepares and forwards the appropriate documents (e.g. position description and requisition) to the SEE Coordinator for signature (or initial). The Director signs off on the documents and (in accordance with local policy) either returns the documents to the monitor or forwards them directly to the grantee. (Note: all funding documents must be submitted to the SEE Program Manager). For each assignment, complete a position description indicating the assignment duties and responsibilities. These must be described in sufficient detail so that the grantee can match candidate skills to assignment needs. The SEE Program assignments are divided into four categories (Levels), each with its own pay scale; these are described in Figure 3-2. The assignment description must make clear into which category the assignment fits. If the assignment has special conditions, e.g. inspecting hazardous areas, or exposure to asbestos or PCBs, state them in a second paragraph of the assignment description entitled "Special Conditions." In such cases, special medical monitoring and/or safety training may be required. If there are any questions on this procedure please contact the SEE Program Manager.
- Commitment Notice (EPA Form 2550-9) is prepared in accord with the requesting office's policy and procedures. The amount of funding required on the Commitment Notice may be discussed with the SEE Program Manager or the grantee representative. An IFMS/REQL screen must also accompany the Commitment Notice (see Chap. 3 Sec. 2c).
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Certification is required prior to the award of every SEE grant/cooperative agreement and every funding amendment that the grant/cooperative agreement does not:
(1) result in the displacement of any Federal, State or local government employee;
(2) result in the enrollment of any individual under the SEE Program when any other person is in a layoff status from the same or substantially equivalent position within the applicable Federal, State or local governmental jurisdiction; and/or
(3) affect existing service contracts. The certification is to be made by the SEE Program Director or Program Official of the office or laboratory funding the cooperative agreement. However, before signing this certification, the official must obtain verbal concurrence or signature from the appropriate EPA Servicing Personnel Office. The Servicing Personnel Office should ensure that requirements (1), (2) and (3) above are satisfied.
The certification document will state that the Personnel Office's concurrence was obtained and will contain the name of the Personnel Officer with whom the action was discussed and the date of the conversation (See Figure 2-1 for a sample Certification Document).
- Upon receipt of the vacancy information, the grantee will distribute the information in an attempt to attract as large a number of candidates for the position as practicable under the circumstances. The grantee must be given sufficient lead time to provide as large a number of candidates as is possible. Name requests are to be avoided except in extraordinary circumstances.
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The list of eligible candidates is forwarded to the monitor, who then weighs the qualifications of each candidate carefully, interviews at least three qualified candidates, and informs the grantee of the recommended candidate. The selection recommendation must be based strictly on the candidate's qualifications, and the monitor must make available to the grantee his evaluation of each candidate for inclusion on the placement record the grantee is required to keep.
Note: The monitor shall not discuss wage with the candidates, as wage is to be discussed between the grantee and the enrollee.
- Upon completion of the recruiting process, the grantee will enroll the candidate, arrange for an entrance-on-duty date, and provide the enrollee with the grantee's personnel handbook and other required documents.
- A SEE enrollee's wage and benefits are determined by the grantee. Wage ranges for the various levels are set. The wage ranges represent the amounts EPA will reimburse the grantees for paying wages to SEE enrollees (See Figure 3-2).
- In addition to coordinating recruiting efforts with the appropriate grantee organization, the SEE monitor is also responsible for arranging for office space, equipment, and supplies for the SEE enrollee. This should be done in accordance with the enrolling office's internal procedures.
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