November 1991

Questions and Answers On CIPMS Promotions
Resulting From Application of Army Occupations Guides (AOGs)

Q.  How soon does an upgrade have to be affected? Can promotions due to the implementation of Civilian Intelligence Personnel Management System (CIPMS) AOGs or the Primary Grading Standard (PGS), Part 3 be made retroactive?
A.  Promotions resulting from the application of AOGs or PGS, Part 3 are to be effected no later than the beginning of the fourth pay period after the reclassification of the position. Such promotions cannot be made effective before the date the position was officially reclassified.

Q.  Can "Quality of Experience" credit be given for experience gained during a misassignment? How should it be documented?
A.  Yes. Experience gained in the Federal service under a misassignment may be credited for qualification purposes. Such experience must be documented by written confirmation from the supervisor during the misassignment (or someone in the supervisory chain if the supervisor is no longer available). The documentation must show enough specificity to ensure the duties and responsibilities can be adequately evaluated in terms of length and exact nature, to include the knowledges, skills, and abilities (KSAs) exercised.

Q.  Can extensions on the application of a CIPMS AOG be granted?
A.  Paragraph 3-3b or AR 690-13 requires application of AOGs within 120 days of receipt unless otherwise authorized by the Director of the Intelligence Personnel Management Office. Requests for additional extensions are to be requested through MACOM headquarters. An additional 60 days (for a total of 180) have already been granted throughout Army for the implementation of GS-132 and GS-080 AOGs and the Multi-series Guide for Scientific and Technical Positions in Intelligence Production.

Q.  If management cannot afford the cost of a promotion does the position have to be upgraded and the incumbent promoted?
A.  No. If an organization cannot afford the cost of applying either CIPMS AOGs to nonsupervisory positions, or Part 3 of the CIPMS Primary Grading Standard (PGS) to supervisory positions, management can alter work and/or restructure the organization utilizing sound position management practices to neutralize grade impact. Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that employees are not asked or expected to perform work at levels different from those at which their positions have been officially graded.

Q.  Can an incumbent be promoted if he or she has not met all of the requirements of the Army Civilian Training, Education and Development Sywstem (ACTEDS) plan for Career Program 35, Intelligence?
A.  Generally, yes. Attainment of specific competencies established in the CP-35 ACTEDS plan is not mandatory prior to affecting a promotion; especially in cases where the promotion results solely from application of a new AOG or PGS, Part 3. Such competencies can, however, provide an indication of the skill levels needed for successful performance at each grade level. For this reason, both management and the employee should aggressively pursue attainment of all ACTEDS competencies after promotion; especially those not yet achieved from lower grade bands.