BOP Program Statement 3308.11 § 5

a. Hours. A student’s work schedule may be full-time or part- time, as long as it does not

interfere with his/her studies. Supervisors are encouraged to arrange work schedules and hours

that satisfy the supervisor and the student.

b. Overtime. Ordinarily, overtime is not authorized. When students are working full-time,

overtime may be scheduled in emergency situations.

P3308.11 10/28/08 Page 3

c. Holidays. Student employees are entitled to holiday pay if the holiday falls within their

regular schedule. They are paid for the hours they would normally have worked that day.

d. Sick and Annual Leave. Sick and annual leave benefits are authorized on a pro-rated basis

(students in the four-hour category accrue one hour of sick and annual leave for every 20 hours

worked). Supervisors may not advance sick or annual leave to students.

e. Benefits and Retirement. Students are ineligible for Federal Employees’ Group Life

Insurance (FEGLI) and Federal Employees’ Health Benefits (FEHB), and for coverage under the

Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

f. Promotions. The following criteria, and those in the OPM Operating Manual Qualification

Standards, are used as promotion guides:

# Grade One. Enrolled as degree seeking students, carrying at least a half-time

academic/vocational/or technical course load in an accredited high school or technical school.

# Grade Two. Graduated from high school.

# Grade Three. Completed one year of academic training above high school (30 semester

hours or 45 quarter hours).

# Grade Four. Completed two years of academic training above high school or hold an

Associate’s Degree (60 semester hours or 90 quarters hours).

# Grade Five. Completed four years of academic training above high school leading to a

Bachelor’s Degree or hold a Bachelor’s Degree (120 semester hours or 180 quarter hours).

Students in the STEP program are in a Time Limited Appointment and are not entitled to step

increases. Normally, students are expected to remain in a job assignment for a minimum of six

months before being considered for a job change, unless transferred by management.

Supervisors may request promotions based on skills and performance as outlined above.

Supervisors contact the STEP Coordinator to verify a student’s academic record and class

standing before submitting a recommendation for promotion.

g. Restrictions. Students under 18 years of age are subject to the same restrictions on hazardous

occupations under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

h. Travel. With the Assistant Director’s approval, students 18 years or older may travel for

official duties when school is not in session. Students under the age of 18 in STEP are not

permitted to visit Federal prisons.