Pay of Geologists in Relation to That of Mining Engineers

An employee of the Department of Energy raised a question regarding the pay of geologists in relation to that of mining engineers. He did not feel he had received equal treatment with regard to his pay as a geologist, because mining engineers holding the same position receive an additional 15 percent pay differential. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has been vested with the exclusive authority to determine the necessity for and to establish higher rates of compensation for certain occupational classes where the private enterprise salary rates for the occupation are substantially above Federal rates. OPM has determined that mining engineers are within that catagory. Unless the employee is a mining engineer, as well as a geologist, he is not entitled to the special rate for mining engineers. GAO asked the Department of Energy to respond to the employee's complaint. If he remains dissatisfied with the classification of his position, he may appeal the classification to OPM.