Recruitment Incentives

Used to attract new hires to positions difficult to fill without an incentive.

Covers newly-appointed and former employees with at least a 90-day break in service.

• Multiple-year incentive offered to Veterinary Medical Officers in targeted* difficult-to-staff locations, based on agency needs. Up to 40 recruitment/relocation incentives will be offered each year, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, FY 2017, and FY 2018.
  • Year 1: 10%
  • Year 2: 15%
  • Year 3: 20%
  • Year 4: 25%
  • Total: 70%
• Service Agreement: 4 Years

Relocation Incentives (Bonuses of up to 25% of base pay)

Used to entice current employees who are not in a difficult-to-staff location to accept a position in a difficult-to-staff location that requires relocation to a different geographic area (i.e., more than 50 miles from their current duty location). Employee must establish residence in the new geographic area.

• Multiple-year incentive offered to Veterinary Medical Officers who relocate from a not difficult-to-staff location to a targeted* difficult-to-staff location. Up to 40 relocation/recruitment incentives, based on agency needs, will be offered each year in FY 2016, FY 2017, and FY 2018.
  • Year 1: 10%
  • Year 2: 15%
  • Year 3: 20%
  • Year 4: 25%
  • Total: 70%
• Service Agreement: 4 Years

Relocation Expenses

Paid moving expenses in conjunction with relocation incentives.

Refer to: FSIS Directive 3820.1 Rev 4, Relocation Allowances for FSIS Employees, dated 8/21/14

• Moving expenses paid in conjunction with relocation incentives for Veterinary Medical Officers who relocate from a not difficult-to-staff location to a targeted* difficult-to-staff location. Move is in the best interest of the government.
• Service Agreement: 1 year; must remain employed by federal government

Retention Incentives

Used to retain essential employees who perform work satisfying a special and critical need of FSIS or who have unusually high or unique qualifications, and are likely to leave federal service (e.g., private sector job offer or retirement) in the absence of the incentive.

To be eligible, the employee must have 1 year of continuous service with FSIS and a performance rating of at least “fully successful.”

• One-year incentive of up to 25% of basic pay offered on a case-by-case basis for Veterinary Medical Officers, Food Inspectors, and Consumer Safety Inspectors in targeted* difficult-to-staff locations. Up to 10 incentives.
• Service Agreement: None; paid bi-weekly

Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP)

A recruitment flexibility based on the difficulty experienced or expected in filling a job (e.g., shortage location); the difficulty in recruiting individuals with high or unique qualifications; or a special need of FSIS (e.g., critical mission function, specialized knowledge or qualifications needed by the agency).

A retention flexibility for employees who are likely to leave FSIS for employment outside the federal government when the employee’s departure would affect FSIS’ ability to carry out an activity or perform a function that is deemed essential to the agency mission.

Refer to: FSIS Directive 4537.1, Repayment of Student Loans Program, dated 9/6/07.

• Multiple-year payments offered to Veterinary Medical Officers, Food Inspectors, and Consumer Safety Inspectors with eligible student loans. Up to 30 incentives (with emphasis on Veterinary Medical Officers) will be offered each year in FY 2016, FY 2017 and FY 2018.
  • Year 1: Up to $10,000
  • Year 2: Up to $10,000
  • Year 3: Up to $10,000
  • Total: Up to $30,000
• Service Agreement: 3 Years

• Financial Assistance for Continuing Education