What is a Career Conditional Appointment?
A career conditional appointment is a type of permanent appointment given to federal employees who have been hired after July 1, 2011. This appointment is given to individuals who have a qualifying period of time and performance, or it is a provisional appointment, which must be converted to a career or career-conditional appointment within a specified probationary period.
Overview
A career-conditional appointment is the most common type of permanent appointment given to new employees. It is the type of appointment given to those who apply for federal employment after July 1, 2011. The appointment allows the employee to gain permanent status with the federal government after one to four years of service, depending on the position.
The appointment must be converted to a career or career-conditional appointment within a certain probationary period of two to four years. During this period of time, the employee will be evaluated based on their performance, attendance, and work record. If they are found to be performing well, then they will be given a permanent appointment.
Benefits
A career-conditional appointment provides the employee with a number of employment benefits. These include:
- Job Security: Once a career-conditional appointment has been established, the federal employee is guaranteed a permanent position with the agency.
- Leave: Eligibility for annual and sick leave, as well as other leave benefits, are made available to career-conditional appointments.
- Health Insurance: Most employees are eligible for health insurance through their employer.
- Retirement Benefits: Upon retirement the employee is eligible for the full range of retirement benefits from the federal agency.
Downsides
While a career-conditional appointment provides many benefits, there are also some potential downsides. These include:
- Probationary Evaluation: Employees on a career-conditional appointment will have to complete a probationary period, during which their performance is evaluated. If the employee does not pass the evaluation, their appointment may be terminated.
- Reduction In Force: Federal agencies may reduce the size of their workforce due to a lack of funding. This may result in the employee having to compete with other employees for their positions.
- Limitations: A career-conditional appointment may limit the employee’s potential for advancement and promotions.
Conclusion
A career-conditional appointment is a type of permanent appointment given to federal employees who have been hired after July 1, 2011. This allows the employee to gain a secure position with the federal government with a range of benefits. However, it also comes with some potential downsides, such as a probationary evaluation and the potential for reduction in force.
