In an effort to simplify agency personnel operations, we have determined that it will no longer be necessary for agencies to request prior approval from this department for "Early Advancement" (fast track) under the Two Year Administrative Traineeship program. This change is effective immediately.

NYSTEP transactions involving an "Early Advancement" should be submitted in the same manner as other trainee advances.

All other Two-Year Administrative Traineeship program requirements are unchanged. The following is an outline of the basic requirements:

A. Agency Responsibilities

I. Review - Agencies must maintain an internal review process in order to insure consistent, objective administration of the Program, and to provide guidance and assistance to supervisors and trainees. Because of the diverse nature of state agencies, no particular configuration is required. Agency level review boards, administrative officers or personnel/training officers may be vested with this responsibility and have the authority to establish and insure that adequate administrative practices exist in support of the Program.

II. Role and Functions - Agencies will be responsible for:

• Monitoring the timeliness of preparation of Individual Development Plans (IDP's) and evaluations.
• Determining that consistency exists between the duties described in the IDP and existing position classification standards/specifications.
• Ensuring that rating levels across title/organizational lines are consistent and that sufficient justification exists to support rating levels assigned and the ultimate personnel decision to retain, advance or terminate the trainee.
• Fostering adequate training and development activities to provide trainees with the opportunity to acquire and demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for successful journey level performance.

B. Documentation Requirements at the Agency Level

I. Individual Development Plans - Supervisors must develop IDP's order to furnish trainees with relevant information about their duties and the standards against which their performance will be measured during the term of trainee service. The trainee's background and experience should be assessed against the requirements of the position and applicable training and development activities should be identified and included in the Plan.

II. Performance Evaluation and Payments - Trainees are to be evaluated at each six month interval of service, and based on their observed performance, assigned one of the three rating levels currently in use - Substantially Exceeds, Meets or Below PerformanceStandards. Trainees, who otherwise meet payment eligibility requirements, will be entitled to receive applicable performance advance payments on the beginning of the pay period which follows completion of 6, 12 and 18 months of service. Payment amounts will continue to be published by the Director of Classification and Compensation in Title and Salary Plan advisories.

C. Early Advancement - This provision allows an agency to choose to advance a trainee to Grade 18 at the 18th month interval or at any point between the 18 month and 24 month intervals of service when conditions for "Early Advancement" are met.

The basic conditions for "Early Advancement" are a rating of Substantially Exceeds at the 12th and 18th month intervals of trainee service AND demonstrated performance of the full range of duties and responsibilities of the Grade 18 position.

D. Applicable Titles - Two-Year Administrative Traineeship leading to the
following:

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