How will MSS affect step increases?
Under the District's current compensation system, employees appointed to the MSS will continue to receive step increases in accordance with Chapter 11 of the District Personnel Manual. Employees in steps 1-3 wait 52 weeks (1 year) between steps; employees in steps 4-6 wait 104 weeks (2 years) between steps; and employees in steps 7-10 wait 156 weeks (3 years) between step increases.
Personnel needs an expert on the MSS program. How will such a resource be provided?
Your agency's Human Resource Advisor is available to help you navigate the rules and regulations of MSS, as outlined in the DPM, Chapter 38. In addition, you may find information at this website.
There is also a link available on the MSS page so you can email specific questions regarding the Management Supervisory Service to MSS@dc.gov. DCOP's staff will then forward the question to the appropriate office for a response.
What is the criteria for a position to be MSS? Is it supervising people or projects that makes a position MSS?
An MSS position is one that has responsibility for project management and supervision of staff and for the achievement of the project's overall goals and objectives. Positions in grades 11 through 16 that meet these criteria are assigned to the MSS.
Is there a residency requirement for MSS?
District residency is not required for positions within the MSS. However, District residency preference is applied to competitive appointments and promotions to the MSS.
What is the process for terminating MSS employees?
MSS employees are at "at-will" employees, which means that they may be terminated after receipt of a 15-day notice, at the discretion of the agency director. The Performance Management Program was established in 2000 to provide MSS employees with clear performance expectations and evaluations of their performance.
What is the process for declining one's participation in MSS?
The only way that someone can opt out of an MSS position that they currently hold is to resign from that position.
What criteria were used in determining a position's grade and step when it was moved into MSS? Is there an appeal or negotiation process to have your grade and step changed?
When positions were converted to the MSS, salaries of eligible employees were set as follows:
- A Career Service employee's salary was set in the new schedule at the same grade and step he or she held at the time of appointment to the MSS.
- An Excepted Service employee's salary was set in the new schedule, at the discretion of the personnel authority, at an amount at least equal to his or her rate of pay at the time of conversion, but no higher than the step he or she occupied prior to conversion to MSS.
You may view the MSS pay schedules on the MSS section of the DCOP website.
There is no appeal of the pay rates that were set in August 2000 when MSS was established.
Are MSS employees eligible to receive overtime or compensatory time?
As an MSS employee, you are considered exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). As an exempt employee, you may be entitled to compensatory time for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week. At the discretion of the agency director, you may receive overtime pay, unless your basic compensation equals or is greater than that of a DS-15.
How can we increase the number of opportunities for cross-agency networking and sharing of best practices?
Mayor Williams plans to hold sessions with MSS employees four times a year. Future sessions will incorporate ideas we received from you at the July meetings and will include guest speakers. The next session is being planned for November 2001.
Is MSS a permanent or temporary policy?
MSS is a permanent program. The Council passed legislation creating this service as part of the larger Personnel Reform Act of 1998. The goal is to create a high-performing cadre of middle and senior managers to lead the government into the future.
Is there an MSS resource manual? If so, where can we get one?
The Supervisors & Managers Handbook is an excellent resource for managers about basic personnel issues. It is available online at the DCOP website, in the Publications section.
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