| Name (Sorted descending) | Term Description |
|---|---|
| Ability | A competence to perform an observable behavior or a behavior that results in an observable product. (OPM Classification & Qualifications) |
| Adjunct Investigator | A scientist who works full-time or part-time in an intramural setting, but whose primary career appointment is elsewhere (e.g., medical school, university faculty, or at NIH outside of an IC’s intramural program). An Adjunct Investigator may possibly be assigned independent resources, which are subject to review by the BSC. (NIH OIR) |
| Administratively Determined (AD) Pay Systems | A pay system that may be used by any agency with an independent authority to administratively determine the rates of pay for any group or category of employees. Each agency must follow its own unique statutory pay authority when setting and adjusting pay under an AD pay system. NIH has the authority established under Title 42 to fix the compensation for particular groups of positions without regard to the General Schedule. (OPM Pay & Leave and 42 USC 209) |
| Advanced Rate of Pay (ARP) | (See also “Superior Qualifications Appointment or Above Minimum Hiring”). The NIH term for Superior Qualifications Appointment or Above Minimum Hiring. (OPM Pay & Leave) |
| Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) | Alternative Work Schedules (AWS) are available to NIH employees with supervisory approval. AWS encompasses Flexible Work Schedules (FWS) and Compressed Work Schedules (CWS). Adjustable work hours can assist employees in balancing the demands of the workplace with their personal responsibilities and as well as help alleviate commuting frustrations. (OPM Pay & Leave, NIH Work Schedules and 5 USC 6101) |
| Annual leave | A form of paid time off generally used for vacation time or other personal needs. Employees earn 13, 20, or 26 days of annual leave a year, depending on years of service. Annual leave accrues incrementally, i.e., 4, 6, or 8 hours every 2 weeks. Most employees may carry over up to 30 days of annual leave to the next leave year. SES members may carry over up to 90 days of annual leave. Employees generally receive a lump-sum payment for any unused annual leave upon separation from Federal service. (NOTE: Presidential appointees do not earn annual leave and cannot be charged leave for absences from work.) (OPM Pay & Leave, NIH Leave, and 5 USC 6303) |
Job Terminology Glossary
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