I.  PURPOSE

This directive provides instructions for the group retention incentive for in-plant Veterinary Medical Officers (VMOs)/Public Health Veterinarians (PHVs), here after referred to as VMOs.  The group retention incentive for in-plant VMOs was launched on July 6, 2020.  This directive reissues information provided in FSIS Notice 34-20, Group Retention Incentive for In-Plant Veterinary Medical Officers/Public Health Veterinarians.

II.  BACKGROUND

A.  Attracting and retaining veterinarians for mission-critical in-plant VMO positions is vital to advancing the Agency’s core mission and aligns with goals set forth in the FSIS Strategic Plan and the Agency’s Annual Plans.  FSIS’ in-plant VMOs are key members of the Agency's regulatory team with multi-faceted responsibilities, including primary responsibility for conducting examinations and determining dispositions of animals under FSIS jurisdiction.  FSIS recognizes and values the unique expertise required of VMOs to qualify for an in-plant position. 

B.  The issuance of retention incentives, or monetary payments, is one of many tools the Agency is using to attract and retain its in-plant VMO talent.

III.  ELIGIBILITY

A.  Current, permanent, full-time and part-time in-plant VMOs with five (5) or more years of in-plant service are eligible for this retention incentive as outlined in Section IV of this directive.

B.  In-plant VMOs include:

1. General Schedule (GS)-12 in-plant VMOs in relief positions, assigned to patrols or in single establishment assignments; and
2. Any remaining in-plant GS-13 VMOs. 

C.  Satisfactory performance and conduct are required to receive a retention incentive. 

D.  Employee eligibility will be reviewed annually in June.  There is no employee application process for this program.

IV.  RETENTION INCENTIVE

A.  A retention incentive is a monetary payment made to an employee as an incentive to remain in a position; this payment is in addition to the employee’s basic salary.

B.  VMOs receive a retention incentive payment based upon the years of in-plant FSIS service they have completed.  The payment is calculated as of the date the program launched and at annual review periods thereafter.  The annual review period is conducted in June.  A VMO is placed into a service year group during each annual review period.

NOTE:  Service year groups are different from service computation dates (SCDs) and are administratively determined by the Office of Human Resources (OHR).  Only service as an FSIS in-plant VMO is considered when determining eligibility and service year group.  Recalculations are done at the next annual review.

C.  During service year groups 5-11, eligible employees will automatically be issued a sliding scale retention incentive that will vary between 2% - 6% of the employee’s rate of basic pay.  The incentive will be paid out on a bi-weekly basis and is based on the basic pay received for the pay period. No service agreement will be required (see Attachment for additional information.)  Bi-weekly payments will start after the eligibility review period is completed (July).

D.  Eligible employees with service as an in-plant VMO are eligible to receive a lump sum retention incentive payment at key 5-year milestones, upon completion of a 1-year service agreement, to be paid out in year 15 and at 5-year intervals thereafter with 20, 25, 30, and 35+ years of service. Eligible in-plant VMOs may enter into service agreements in year 14 and at subsequent 5-year intervals (19, 24, 29, etc.).  The lump sum incentive payment is based on the basic pay the VMO earned during the year prior to payment. The Office of Field Operations (OFO) will reach out to eligible VMOs after the eligibility review period is completed with the option of signing the one-year service agreement (July) (see Attachment for additional information.)

E.  An employee may not receive a recruitment incentive and a retention incentive simultaneously.  Employees with 0 - 4 years of service are not eligible for a retention incentive. VMOs receiving recruitment incentives, as well as those who are not receiving recruitment incentives, but have less than the required years of in-plant service for a retention incentive may be eligible for future payments if they meet requirements starting at five (5) years of in-plant VMO service.

F. Employees with service year groups over 11 years but outside of the milestone years (15, 20, 25, etc.) are not eligible for a retention incentive until the year prior to the milestone year when they will be eligible to enter into a one year service agreement as outlined in Section IV. D.

G.  FSIS may unilaterally terminate the program based solely on the management needs of the Agency.  Employees under a service agreement are entitled to retain any retention incentive payment attributable to completed service and to receive any portion of a retention incentive payment owed by the Agency for completed service.  Termination or reduction of a retention incentive may not be grieved or appealed.

V.  AGENCY ROLES RESPONSIBILITIES

VI.  QUESTIONS

Refer questions to PHVIncentives@usda.gov.

Assistant Administrator
Office of Policy and Program Development

See PDF for additional information

Attachment:

• FSIS In-Plant VMO Group Retention Incentive Program Questions and Answers