As part of the federal government, the U.S. International Trade Commission has flexible salary and benefits programs. The following describe highlights of the USITC programs:

Annual Leave

Employees earn vacation or annual leave based on the length of Federal Service:

Years Employed Days Leave
1 to 3 13
3 to 15 20
15 and up 26

 

Credit can be earned for hours completed in the private sector only if the work that you performed is directly related to your current position at the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Up to 30 days of annual leave may be accumulated each year and carried over for future use.  Employees with military service may combine years of service with years of civilian service strictly for the purpose of leave accrual.

Check with the Office of Human Resources with any questions pertaining to your leave status. For additional information regarding “annual leave” click here .

Sick Leave

Employees accrue 13 days of sick leave each year regardless of their length of service. Unused sick leave accumulates indefinitely.

For additional information concerning sick leave click here.

Holidays

The following Federal holidays are observed by the USITC:

  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday
  • George Washington's Birthday
  • Memorial Day
  • Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • Independence Day
  • Labor Day
  • Columbus Day
  • Veteran's Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) including Medical, Vision, and Dental

Employees and their families are eligible for enrollment in one of many health insurance plans in one of many health insurance plans A portion of the cost will be paid by USITC.
Health Insurance plans include traditional fee-for-service plans and prepaid plans (Comprehensive Medical Plans and Health Maintenance Organizations).

In addition, Federal employees are covered by Medicare. Health insurance is one of the most valuable benefits of Federal employment, but coverage is not automatic — you must select one of the available health plans within 60 days of your employment in order to be covered.

For additional information regarding  “Federal employees’ health program, click here.

For additional information regarding the Health Plan that it right for you, click here.

Thrift Savings Plan

The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is a retirement savings and investment plan for Federal employees. The purpose of the TSP is to provide retirement income to Federal employees. The TSP offers Federal employees the same type of savings and tax benefits that many private corporations offer their employees under "401(k)" plans.

While you are employed with the Federal government, the TSP loan program gives you access to the money that you have contributed to your TSP account and any earnings on that money.

For additional information regarding TSP, click here.

TSP Site Map:  https://www.tsp.gov/other/sitemap/siteMap.html  

Federal Employment Retirement System (FERS)

FERS is a three-part retirement plan which includes social security, basic annuity, and the Thrift Savings Plan.

Employees pay full social security taxes and make a a small contribution to the basic annuity. In addition, employees may make tax-deferred contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is a retirement savings and investment plan. A portion of TSP contributions is matched by the USITC.

FERS has many features that are transferable. If an employee leaves the Federal government, they may still qualify for the benefits.

For additional information regarding FERS, click here.

Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS)

CSRS is the retirement system for Federal employees hired prior to 12/31/83. The retirement system may also be applicable to transfers or  rehires, or those who are vested are vested (i.e., 5 years of previous civilian service).

Employees may be covered by CSRS Offset if they were rehired after 12/31/83 but prior to 1/1/87 with no more than one break in Federal service. The CSRS and CSRS Offset programs involve different levels of contribution to the retirement fund than FERS.

Each employee should check with the Human Resources Office to see if they are covered by CSRS or CSRS Offset.

For additional information regarding CSRS, click here.

Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program

Federal Long Term Care Insurance (FLTCIP) provides long-term care insurance for Federal employees, their parents, parents-in-law, stepparents, spouses, and adult children.

For additional information about the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, click here.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employees of the Federal government may participate in the Federal Flexible Spending Accounts Program (FSAFEDS). This account allows employees to pay for certain health and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.

For additional information about flexible spending accounts, click here.

Business Casual Dress Policies

Employees are expected to dress appropriately at all times--typically business casual on most days or business formal when meeting with people outside of the Commission.

Employees may dress down on Fridays if they are not representing the Commission in meetings with others outside of the agency.

The dress policy includes detailed examples of business casual, business formal and dress down Friday attire. It also includes specific examples of inappropriate dress: shorts, work out clothes, etc.

For additional information about business casual dress policies, click here.

Student Loan Repayment

Some employees are eligible for loan repayment of part or all of their existing federally insured student loans, if you are permanent employee, or those who meet other specific employment conditions.

Student loan repayment is typically used as a recruitment incentive, however, upon entry on duty you may check with your supervisors and the Office of Human Resources to see if you are eligible for this program.

Employee Express

Upon your arrival all employees are enrolled in the Employee Express electronic system. Through Employee Express, employees can manage their own discretionary payroll and personnel transactions. Employee Express includes features such as  pay stub notification, health benefits changes, Thrift Saving Plan contributions, direct deposit, and many other transactions.

Employee Express is accessible via the internet, and may be accessed from any computer with the proper identifying information.

For additional information regarding Employee Express, click here.

Employee Express Login  - https://www.employeeexpress.gov/

Flexible Work Schedule

Two types of alternate work schedule (AWS) are offered by the U.S. International Trade Commission: compressed work schedules and flexible work schedule with credit hours. Employees may request to work either type of AWS with supervisory approval in lieu of the standard 8-hour day, 5-day workweek during official agency hours.

CWS means an 80-hour biweekly basic work requirement which is scheduled for less than 10 workdays. i.e. 5/4-9 Schedule. 

FWS allows flexibility of arrival and departure times.  Employees may begin work as early as 7:00am and work as late as 6:30pm, with agency core hours of 9:30am – 2:30pm.

Telework

Employees are granted telework privileges– on an episodic or regular basis or for special circumstances. 

Telework on an episodic basis is short-term and requires first line supervisor approval. Telework on a regular basis involves working at an alternate site on a regular basis as approved by your supervisor.  

Special circumstances surrounding telework typically involves a work-at-home agreement- combining leave and part-time telecwork. Some recent examples of special circumstances include caring for an ill family member, assisting a family member recovering from surgery or adjusting to a new child. The Chairman’s and employee’supervisors approval is required for all telework involving special circumstances.

Parking

Parking subsidies are provided to those employees who elect to drive to work and utilize the in-house parking garage.

The fiscal amount depends on the number of ITC employees participating in the carpool, the number of outside carpool members, and/or a qualified handicap.

A driver with two additional USITC employees receives free parking. Drivers with outside carpool members receive considerably reduced parking fees.

For additional information regarding subsidies for parking and car pools, contact Office of Facilities Management at 202-205-2747.

Professional Development

Numerous opportunities for training and professional development are offered by the USITC. All offices are provided dedicated training budgets for continuous professional growth. Some staff members travel domestically and internationally  to attend and participate in industry or professional seminars, conferences, and training courses, and to gather information for Commission studies and investigations. Interaction with Congressional staff, personnel at Executive agencies, business representatives, members of academia, and staff at numerous international organizations provides a myriad of opportunities to augment professional skills, contacts, and knowledge.

The Commission often uses temporary assignments, both within and outside the agency, to  develop its employees and address temporary staffing needs.

Active internship and co-operative work/education programs offer opportunities for graduate level students to enhance their professional skills and make meaningful contributions to the Commission’s work while pursuing their degree.