---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 C.F.R. § 330.602"
title: "5"
number: "330.602"
heading: "Definitions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/5/330.602"
---

# §330.602. Definitions.


For purposes of this subpart:

Agency means an Executive agency as defined in [5 U.S.C. 105](/usc/5/105.md).

CTAP eligible means an agency surplus or displaced employee who has a current performance rating of record of at least fully successful (Level 3) or equivalent. As used in this subpart, “CTAP eligible” and “eligible” are synonymous.

CTAP selection priority candidate means a CTAP eligible who applied for and was determined to be well-qualified by the agency and whom the agency must select over any other applicant for the vacancy, unless the action to be taken is listed as an exception under [§ 330.609](/cfr/5/330.609.md).

Displaced describes an agency employee in one of the following two categories:

- (1) A current career or career-conditional (tenure group I or II) competitive service employee at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who:
  - (i) Received a reduction in force (RIF) separation notice under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter and has not declined an offer under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md), [subpart G](/cfr/5/subpartG.md), of this chapter of a position with the same type of work schedule and a representative rate at least as high as that of the position from which the employee will be separated; or
  - (ii) Received a notice of proposed removal under [part 752](/cfr/5/part752.md) of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside of the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or change in duty station).
- (2) A current excepted service employee on an appointment without time limit at grade level GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who:
  - (i) Is covered by a law providing both noncompetitive appointment eligibility to, and selection priority for, competitive service positions; and
  - (ii) Received a RIF separation notice under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter or a notice of proposed removal under [part 752](/cfr/5/part752.md) of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

    Surplus describes an agency employee in one of the following three categories:

- (1) A current career or career-conditional (tenure group I or II) competitive service employee at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who received a Certification of Expected Separation under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter or other official agency certification or notification indicating that the employee's position is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment or a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement).
- (2) A current excepted service employee on an appointment without time limit at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who:
  - (i) Is covered by a law providing both noncompetitive appointment eligibility to, and selection priority for, competitive service positions; and
  - (ii) Received a Certification of Expected Separation under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter or other official agency certification or notification indicating that the employee's position is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment or a notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement).
- (3) A current excepted service employee on a Schedule A or B appointment without time limit at grade level GS-15 (or equivalent) or below who is in an agency offering CTAP selection priority to its excepted service employees and who:
  - (i) Received a Certification of Expected Separation under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter or other official agency certification indicating that the employee is surplus (for example, a notice of position abolishment, or notice of eligibility for discontinued service retirement); or
  - (ii) Received a RIF notice of separation under [part 351](/cfr/5/part351.md) of this chapter or a notice of proposed removal under [part 752](/cfr/5/part752.md) of this chapter for declining a directed geographic relocation outside the local commuting area (e.g., a directed reassignment or a change in duty station).

    Vacancy means a vacant competitive service position at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) or below to be filled for a total of 121 days or more, including all extensions, regardless of whether the agency issues a specific vacancy announcement.


## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 1104, 1302, 3301, 3302, 3304, and 3330; E.O. 10577, 3 CFR, 1954-58 Comp., p. 218; Section 330.103 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 3327; Subpart B also issued under 5 U.S.C. 3315 and 8151; Section 330.401 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 3310; Subparts F and G also issued under Presidential Memorandum on Career Transition Assistance for Federal Employees, September 12, 1995; Subpart G also issued under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) and 8456(b). § 330.1301 also issued under 5 U.S.C. 9201-9206 and Pub. L. 116-92, sec. 1122(b)(1). Link to an amendment published at 91 FR 49216, Aug. 3, 2026.

### Source

Source: 75 FR 67593, Nov. 3, 2010, unless otherwise noted.