The Powder Keg

Know Your N.C.P.I.

Federal employees who have served under permanent appointment are eligible for reinstatement regardless of whether their separation was voluntary or involuntary. However, if such employees have been removed for cause or removed at the specific request of the Civil Service Commission because of failure to meet conditions imposed at the time of appointment, their reinstatement must be approved by the Civil Service Commission. Some of the advantages of reinstatement are as follows:

1. The individual does not need to file in open competitive examinations as announced.
2. He does not need to be within reach on a certificate of eligibles.
3. He may select the locality and agency wherein employment is desired although agencies may accept or decline application for reinstatement as they see fit.

The former employees may be reinstated within one year of separation if his period of service was less than two years, within two years if his period of service was two years but less than three years, within three years if his period of service was three years but less than four years, within four years if his period of service was four years but less than five years. If his period of service was five years or more, he may be reinstated without time limit after separation. In computing service, the total period of creditable Federal civilian service and military service terminating in honorable discharge, other than that which affords a basis for the allowance of veteran preference, plus any service rendered under the District of Columbia Government, is counted. The period of eligibility dates from the date of separation from the last position in the competitive service under a probational, probational indefinite, permanent, or war-service indefinite appointment.

These time limitations do not apply to employees who are entitled to veteran preference. If an employee was separated during his probationary period, he may be reinstated but, only in the same agency and in the same locality, type of position, and same or lower grade for which he meets the training and experience requirements (except that if he was separated through reduction in force he may be reinstated in any agency and to any position in any locality if he meets the qualifications standards for promotion or reassignment). His reinstatement will be subject to completion of his probationary period.

Reference NCPI-180.