(a) A recruitment incentive may be paid under the conditions prescribed in this subpart to an employee who is newly appointed to a position listed in §575.103 that is likely to be difficult to fill, as determined under §575.106.

(b) An agency may target groups of similar positions (excluding positions covered by §575.103(b), (c), or (e) or those in similar categories approved by OPM under §575.103(g)) that have been difficult to fill in the past or that may be difficult to fill in the future and make the required determination to offer a recruitment incentive to newly-appointed employees on a group basis.

(c) An agency may not commence a recruitment incentive service agreement during —   (1) A period of employment established under any service agreement required for a relocation incentive under 5 CFR part 575, subpart B, or   (2) A period of employment established under any service agreement required for a retention incentive or for which an employee receives retention incentive payments without a service agreement under 5 CFR part 575, subpart C.

[70 FR 25740, May 13, 2005, as amended at 72 FR 67838, Dec. 3, 2007]