Team leaders would be bumped up one level higher on the General Schedule than their highest-graded team member under new guidelines drafted by the Office of Personnel Management.
OPM defines team leaders as federal employees who as a regular part of their assignment and at least 25 percent of their work time lead three or more other employees in accomplishing work in two-grade interval occupations in the General Schedule.
Under the guidelines, a team leader overseeing a group of GS-11 personnel management specialists would be classified at GS-12 and would have the title "lead personnel management specialist."
According to the guidelines, team leaders typically perform 10 different coaching, facilitating and mentoring duties and a least four coordinating and supportive duties.
The report also clarifies the difference between supervisors and team leaders. Supervisory work includes responsibility for planning and scheduling work; assigning work to employees; approving leave; interviewing job candidates and recommending performance standards and ratings. Team leaders, on the other hand, work with team members to achieve specific tasks and meet program and production goals.
OPM has published the guidelines on its Mainstreet electronic bulletin board, which can be accessed via modem at 202-606-4800. When in Mainstreet, choose "forum," then "file areas," then "draft standards." The agency is taking comments on them until Sept. 19.
NEXT STORY: Year 2000 Clock Ticking