The NICCP program, designed to eventually encompass intelligence jobs in 16 agencies, reflects several common themes in pay for performance systems recently installed in federal agencies, although it is unique in that it is a cross-cutting program across the intelligence community, compared with the agency-specific programs elsewhere.
The system features three career groups—technician/administrative support, professional, and managerial/supervisory—and a payband structure replacing general schedule grades through grade 15. It involves a five-level rating system that emphasizes behaviors such as collaboration, critical thinking, integrity and accountability, along with skills such as communication and technical expertise.
Employees rated as unacceptable or minimally successful performers will get no raises but those rated as fully successful and above will get the same raise as GS employees and are eligible for performance-related raises or bonuses in addition.
Each intelligence agency can alter the system somewhat to fit its own needs.
A similar but separate system will apply to senior executives that emphasizes leadership, collaboration, understanding of how different intelligence components fit together, and management skills.
