than the period of employment in the specific installation and must have had no break in service during the period of employment at the installation for which the local retirement refund is being paid.

(4) The employee must not be indebted to the Federal Government for any reason according to the records of the installation.

Computations or refund payments are made in accordance with instructions approved by the Commission and copies of paid vouchers with supporting documents are transmitted to the Retirement Division for audit recording and filing.

(c) Method of securing and source of information. Decisions of the Retirement Division may be appealed to the Board of Appeals and Review through the Retirement Division. Appeals should be in writing and should show the name and post office address of the appellant, his retirement claim number, the date and substance of the action from which the appeal was taken and the full reason for the appeal. They must generally be filled within six months from the date the notice of final action was mailed.

Questions on retirement matters should be submitted by Federal employees to their Personnel Director.

§ 01.13 Service Record Division-(a) Organization. The Service Record Division has over-all responsibility for the administration and enforcement of rules and regulations governing the reporting of personnel transactions; maintenance of service records; according of competitive civil service status; determination of status of positions and status of present and former Federal employees and of compliance by Commission or agency officials with the procedural and legal requirements for effective personnel actions under the civil service rules ard regulations.

The operating sections of the division are as follows:

(1) Audit Section. This section receives and inspects reports of personnel actions. It initiates corrective action on the enforcement of Civil Service Rules and other authorities governing appointments and personnel changes, inspects reports of separation to determine whether the reasons or circumstances shown appear to require debarment or flagging, maintains records showing currently the condition of the apportionment determines adequacy of proof of

date of birth, reports cases of apparent dual employment to the Comptroller General and authorizes extension of suspensions.

(2) Correspondence Section. This section replies to inquiries and complaints regarding treatment in the Federal service, promotions, demotions, forced resignations, suspensions or removals, hours of duty leave, assignment to duty, dual employment, payment for services rendered, overtime, deductions from salary for war bonds, subsistence allowance and travel. It also answers inquiries concerning rights under the Selective Service Act and reemployment benefits provided by regulations of the Commission.

(3) Postal Section. This section maintains complete records of employees in the field service of the Post Office Department, audits all personnel actions involving such employees, initiates corrective action where needed, maintains substitute rolls in accordance with the order of seniority of appointment and in general performs the other functions of the Audit Section with reference to employees in the field service of the Post Office Department.

(4) Records Section. This section maintains service records of present and former Federal employees and processes and files reports of personnel action.

(5) Status Section. This section receives agency recommendations for conferring of competitive status on Federal employees, acts on requests for promotion, transfer and reinstatement requiring prior approval of the Commission, post audits reports of reinstatements not requiring prior approval of the Commission, acts on agency recommendations in connection with non-competitive appointments under Schedule B of the Civil Service rules, furnishes information to agencies and individuals regarding their status for reinstatement, transfer, classification.

(b) Delegation of authority. Regional directors are authorized to pass on requests for reinstatement, transfer, promotion and reassignment to field positions in cases where the prior approval of the Commission is required. Regional directors are authorized to consider and act upon requests for extension of suspensions when the request is presented by a field officer of an agency who has authority to initiate such action.

(c) Method of securing and source of information. Decisions of the Service Record Division may be appealed to the Board of Appeals and Review.

Federal employees should submit questions to their Personnel office. Others may secure information by writing to the Commission or by calling at the Commission's office.

§ 01.14 Medical Division—(a) Organization. The Medical Division, created by the Commission in 1940 through unification of its previously diversified medical activities is under the immediate supervision of a Medical Director. Primarily, it is charged with responsibility (under the administrative direction and through the office of the Executive Director and Chief Examiner in all cases) for: Advising the Commission, in cooperation with the Examining and Placement Division, on all matters pertaining to physical standards for entrance or reinstatement into the Government service. In conjunction with the Retirement Division criteria are set up for separation from the service by reason of disability preventing satisfactory performance of duty. It is also responsible for the processing and disposing of all types of cases in the above categories which are referred by other divisions for comment or action as well as rendering opinions and advice on any other medical matters pertaining to Federal employment concerning which information may be requested by the Board of Appeals and Review or other officials of the Commission.

Other activities include the conducting of research programs throughout the Civil Service Regions for the purpose of determining appropriate physical standards for the various positions; carrying out studies of the performance of the physically impaired as compared to the able bodied; administering the program recommended by the Coordinating Committee for the Placement of the Physically Handicapped.

The operating sections of the Division are as follows:

(1) Office of the Medical Director. This office has the over-all administration of the Division's activities in the central office, including the handling of appeals in connection with certain types of cases. Also, through the offices of the Chief of Field Operations and the Executive Director and Chief Examiner, the Medical Director transmits to the

various Regional Directors such information, instructional material and technical advice as may be necessary for the effective functioning of the medical officers assigned to their Regions. A member of the staff is detailed to the function of maintaining liaison with the various regional medical officers which may require travel to the Regional offices.

(2) Consultative Service Section. This section formulates physical requirements for entrance into the competitive civil service and prepares guides based thereon for the use of the appointing officers in the various agencies; devises schematic outlines for necessary physical examinations of both applicants and employees; reviews medical certificates exhibiting questionable conditions not covered by specific instructions and renders advisory services to appointing officers relative to the employability of applicants and the physical fitness of employees to continue in their post of duty, particularly with respect to nervous and mental conditions, communicable diseases, heart disease, and diabetes.

Within the section is a unit for the specialized handling of physically impaired applicants (emphasis on veterans) who offer unusual placement problems. This Unit is charged with the duties of devising broad schemes for the effective utilization of the remaining capabilities of impaired individuals as well as conducting interviews in specific

cases.

(3) Disability Retirement Section. This section receives from the Retirement Division such applications for retirement as are based on claims of total disability for useful and efficient service; arranges for and authorizes physical examinations of applicants except in cases where sufficient evidence has already been presented by Federal medical officers or establishments; after securing adequate medical evidence, passes on the merits of applications and takes medical action of rejection or allowance; arranges for annual medical examinations or secures pertinent information in lieu thereof, in cases of retired employees (annuitants) whose cases have not been made permanent; supervises, by use of liaison facilities through the Office of the Medical Director, the initial medical processing in the regional offices of applicants residing within those areas; furnishes to the Retirement Division, through the office of

the Medical Director, such technical advice pertaining to retirement matters in general as may be requested.

(4) Examining Section. This section in accordance with general procedures established by the Examining and Placement Division, examines and rates applications for professional and subprofessional positions in the medical and related fields in such agencies or establishments as are not otherwise provided for; renders advisory services to agencies regarding educational and experience standards in connection with the above positions; supervises and assists Committees of Expert Examiners in the conducting of examinations and the rating of applications in the medical and related fields; assists the Medical Director in making recommendations to the Personnel Division relative to the filling of medical officer and related positions within the Commission; receives and processes applications from cadet nurses who desire to complete their training in Federal hospitals under the provisions of the Cadet Nurse Act.

(b) Method of securing and source of information. Information in the files of the Medical Division is available to individuals and agencies in accordance with the regulations of the Commission set out in § 01.19.

§ 01.15 Inspection Division. The Inspection Division has been established to perform the following functions: To inspect and review in the offices of the various agencies the carrying out of the various personnel operations that have been delegated and to secure adherence to the required standards and procedures; to assist departments and agencies in adhering to the policies, standards and procedures prescribed by the Commission for the administration of delegated authority; to inspect and review the operations of Boards of Civil Service Examiners and Committees of Expert Examiners, to evaluate their effectiveness, to report on the carrying out of their functions and to secure adherence to the required standards and procedures; to present to the Commission current and accurate information as to the scope, content, effectiveness and equity of agency personnel management programs; to recommend to the Commission necessary changes in policies and practices to better personnel management in the Federal service; to improve agency personnel programs by rendering personnel

management advisory service and serving as a clearing house for the exchange of information among agencies on the most efficient and economical personnel management policies, procedures and practices.

§ 01.16

FIELD ACTIVITIES

Regional Offices—(a) Organization. In the interest of economy and efficiency in administration of the field service, the Commission has divided the United States into fourteen regions. The activities of each region center in a regional office, located in a principal city within the region. A Regional Director is in charge of each Regional Office.

Each Regional Office supervises civil service activities within its area, in accordance with policies and procedures established by the Commission, furnishes information to the public, and announces regional and local examinations to fill positions under the jurisdiction of the region.

The functions of the regional office are performed under the regional director by Divisions and staff officials such as the following:

Budget and Fiscal Officer.
Personnel Officer.

Regional Examining and Placement Divi

sion.

Regional Classification Division. Regional Investigations Division.

Medical Officer.

Regional Veterans Federal Employment Representative.

Examiner for Appeals under section 14 of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944. Personnel Management Advisor.

The location of regional offices, branch regional offices, and offices of Commission representatives outside the continental United States are as follows:

REGION, HEADQUARTERS, AND TERRITORY SERVED

1-Post Office and Courthouse Building, Boston 9, Mass. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut.

2-Federal Building, Christopher Street, New York 14, N. Y. New York, New Jersey.

3-Customhouse, Second and Chestnut Streets. Philadelphia 6, Pa. Pennsylvania, Delaware.

4-Nissen Building, Winston-Salem 3, N. C. Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, District of Columbia. Branch Regional Office: Tariff Commission Building, Seventh and F Streets NW., Washington 25, D. C. District of Columbia. Maryland: Counties of Calvert, Charles, Montgomery,

Prince Georges, St. Mary's. Virginia: Arlington, Caroline, Clarks, Fairfax, Fauquier, King George, Lancaster, Loudoun, Northumberland, Prince William, Richmond, Spottsylvania. Stafford, Westmoreland.

5-New Post Office Building, Atlanta 3, Ga. South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands.

6-Post Office and Courthouse Building, Cincinnati 2, Ohio. Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky. 7-New Post Office Building, Chicago 7, Ill. Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois.

8-Post Office and Customhouse Building, St. Paul 1, Minn. Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa.

9-New Federal Building, St. Louis 1, Mo. Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas.

10-Customhouse Building, New Orleans 16, La. Mississippi, Louisiana.

11-437 Central Building, 810 Third Avenue, Seattle 4, Wash. Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Washington, Territory of Alaska.

12-129 New Appraisers Building, 630 Sansome Street, San Francisco 11, Calif. Callfornia, Nevada, Arizona, Territory of Hawaii. Branch Regional Offices: 506 Post Office and Courthouse Building, Los Angeles 12, Calif. California: Counties of San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara. Building, Honolulu 2. T. H. Territory of Hawaii.

Federal

Puerto Rico (Under supervision of Director, 5th Region, insofar as employment under U. S. Government is concerned)-Chairman, Puerto Rico Civil Service Commission, San Juan, P. R.

Canal Zone Secretary, Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners, Balboa Heights, C. Z.

In order to provide closer supervision and render more effective service, regional directors may, as necessary from time to time, station representatives in smaller key cities to facilitate administration of civil service activities in areas within the region.

(b) Delegation of authority. Regional directors have general authority over civil service matters arising within their region. Specific grants of authority have been referred to in connection with the description of the functions of the divisions of the Commission set out above. Their decisions may be appealed to the Commission, through the Board of Appeals and Review in the same manner as

decisions of the various divisions of the Commission may be appealed.

(c) Method of securing and source of information. Individuals residing in the states that are included within any region may secure information by writing to or calling at the Regional or Branch Regional Office. Information is also obtainable at Boards of U. S. Civil Service Examiners. (See § 01.17.)

§ 01.17 Boards of United States Civil Service Examiners-(a) Organization— (1) Boards located at Federal establishments other than in the Post Office Department. Wherever considered administratively advisable, Boards are established by the regional director in agreement with the head of the establishment and are composed of officers and employees of the establishment or establishments served by the board.

For positions under their jurisdiction, such boards announce examinations, receive and rate applications, establish registers, certify names to appointing officers, approve the appointments made from names submitted, and perform other functions delegated by the regional director.

All activities of these boards are performed in accordance with current standards and instructions of the Commission. The extent of authority to be delegated to individual boards is determined by the regional director and is not uniform for all boards.

(2) Boards located at first and second class post offices. Boards of United States Civil Service Examiners have been established in each city which has a first or second class post office.

These boards publicize examinations announced by the Commission's central office, the regional office, and by Boards located at other Federal establishments. They also furnish general information to the public and conduct assembled examinations.

Regional directors may delegate other special functions to these boards within the limits of the policies established by the Commission.

(b) Delegation of authority. Boards of Examiners located in Federal establishments other than the post office can take final action on any matters delegated by the regional director. Requests for a review of rating and appeals from the action of any board in any matter properly before it, are first considered

and decided by the board. In the event of an adverse decision further appeal may be made to the regional office.

(c) Method of securing and source of information. General information on civil service matters and employment opportunities can be secured from the Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners at any first or second class post office. Such information is available also at the regional or branch office of the Commission or at the offices of its representatives outside continental United States.

Where more detailed and specific information is desired which is not available at the office of a Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners, this information may be obtained by communicating with the regional or branch office.

Listed below are the places where the public may secure information and submit requests relating to specific civil service matters.

(1) Open competitive examinations. (i) To keep informed of pending examinations, the bulletin board and examination announcements at any first or second class post office may be consulted. A copy of any examination announcement may be inspected but extra copies are not always available for distribution. In a city in which there is a regional or branch regional office, that office may also be contacted for information.

(ii) To secure a copy of the announcement the office having immediate jurisdiction over the examination as shown in the announcement under the heading "Where to file application" may be contacted.

(iii) The examination announcement contains full details about the requirements, the specific application forms and the location of the office where the required application forms should be filed. Application forms are available at first and second class post offices, except in cities where regional offices of the Commission are located, in which case they may be obtained from the regional office. In branch office cities, application forms may also be obtained from such offices.

(2) Examinations under section 10 of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944. (i) Persons granted ten-point preference under section 2 (1), (2) and (3) of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 may apply for examination as provided in section 10 of the same act.

CROSS REFERENCE: For regulations relating to appeals of preference eligible under the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, see Part 22 of this chapter.

(ii) For information concerning examinations which may be reopened, The Executive Secretary of the Board of U. S. Civil Service Examiners at the establishment where employment is desired or the regional or branch office of the Commission may be contacted.

(3) Acceptance of delayed applications after the closing date. Persons entitled to five-point military preference under section 2 (4) of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944, and citizens who served beyond the continental limits of the United States with a Federal agency or international organization in which the U. S. Government participates, may, under certain conditions, file delayed applications.

(4) Restoration to the list of eligibles of honorably discharged veterans under Executive Orders 9733 and 8937. Requests for restoration should be made to the office which maintained the list of eligibles. The address of this office can be obtained from the notice of rating which the applicant received.

(5) Requests for a review of examination rating. A request for a review of a rating received may be made to the office which assigned the original rating as shown on the notice of rating.

(6) Complaints on discrimination. Complaints involving alleged discrimination on the grounds of race, creed, color, or national origin may be made to the regional director.

(7) Reduction in force appeals. Appeals involving alleged violation of reduction in force regulations based on section 12 of the Veterans' Preference Act of 1944 may be made to the regional office of the Commission.

(8) Suitability appeals. Appeals from applicants rated ineligible because they were not found suitable for government employment should be addressed to the office which assigned the rating, as shown on the notice of rating.

(9) Appeals under section 14 of the Veterans' Preference Act. Appeals under section 14 of the Act may be filed with the regional office.

(10) Competitive status under Executive Order 9598 of August 17, 1945. Requests for the benefits of this order should be submitted individually by let