Under the FCIP final regs, agencies may make appointments
to positions at grades GS-5, 7 and 9 or equivalent, or
other trainee levels, and do not need OPM approval to
fill career intern positions at the trainee level, though
agencies need OPM approval to fill higher grade positions.
According to the notice, the most suitable positions for
the program are entry-level positions requiring training
and development such as accounting and auditing,
engineering, HR management, information technology, law
enforcement, and scientific research.
Agencies may extend appointments for up to a year, or
without seeking OPM approval, up to 120 days in unusual
circumstances, the rule said.
It grants mandatory placement rights to employees that
accept a career intern appointment in the same agency
and fail to complete the program for reasons unrelated
to misconduct or suitability.
A career intern may move between career intern positions
without a break in service, though the total time allowed
in an appointment is three years – and agencies must
decide the type of program they want and put the specifics
in writing, including covered positions and procedures
used to fill them in the excepted service, according to
the rule.
