navigating the four levels of prevailing wage suzanne seltzer klasko rulon stock & seltzer...
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Navigating the Four Levels of Prevailing Wage
Suzanne SeltzerKlasko Rulon Stock & Seltzer
Jeanne KelleyBoston University
Why Now?
Effective January 1, 2010
Prevailing wage determinations (PWD) will be go to the Department of Labor’s (DOL) National Processing Center (NPC)
NEW prevailing wage Form ETA 9141
State Workforce Agencies (SWA) will no longer be involved in PWD
Why Now?
iCERT Portal
Web-based user account for both LCA & PERM filings
Improve accessibility for employer and attorney while maintaining security
Allows for prevailing wage searchesAll DOL related processes centralized
Institutional Policy Considerations
Should your institution always request a SWA wage?
Will these changes effect policy decisions?
How should you determine minimum requirements consistently?
Challenging erroneous SWA determinations
Communicating with hiring departments
Prevailing Wage Lingo
Standard Occupational Classification – Occupational Information Network
(SOC-O*NET or O*NET for short)
Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) (used under the old Dictionary of Occupational Titles)
Job Zones (used under the current O*NET system)
What it Means…Why it is Important
SOC-O*NET System of coding/classifying jobs by
skills, knowledge and work activities.
For prevailing wage determinations - (PWD) - provides the “quantitative parameters” to determine the appropriate wage level through the SVP and job zone standards.
What it Means…Why it is Important
SVP/Job ZoneRange of time needed to learn
techniques/skills for average performance of a specific occupation
In PWD, wage level is assigned based on where the employer’s education and experience requirements fit within this quantitative parameter
Corresponding SVP & Job Zones
Job Zone One:
Occupations that require ‘little’ preparation
How much prep? SVP Range: Below 4.0;
under 6 months experience
“Normal to the occupation” maximum:no education, 5 months & 29 days experience
Corresponding SVP & Job Zones
Job Zone Two:
Occupations require ‘some’ preparation
‘Some’ prep = SVP Range 4.0 < 6.0 over 3 months, up to 1 year
Normal to the Occupation
no degree; 1 year experience
Corresponding SVP & Job Zones
Job Zone Three: Occupations require ‘medium’ prep
‘Medium’ Prep = SVP Range 6.0 < 7.0 over 1 year, up to 2 years
Normal to the Occupation (max) no degree, 2 Years Experience
Corresponding SVP & Job Zones
Job Zone Four: Requires ‘considerable’ prep
‘Considerable’ = SVP Range 7.0 < 8.0 over 2 years, up to 4 years
Normal to the Occupation (max) Bachelors + 2 years, or
4 years experience
Why?
Because the degree constitutes part of the prep time under SVP:
Bachelor’s Degree = 2 years prep
Master’s Degree = 4 years prep
Ph.D. = 7 years prep
Corresponding SVP & Job Zones
Job Zone Five:
Requires ‘extensive’ prep
‘Extensive’ = SVP Range 8.0 +
Over 4 years and up
Normal to the Occupation
degree plus substantial experience
What is Appendix D
Professional Occupations and Training Categories
Lists the “usual education” required for prevailing wage purposes
If degree required is above the “usual education,” a higher wage level would be required
What Are the Four Levels?
LEVEL 1
Entry/beginning level Routine tasks, limited exercise of judgment “Under close Supervision” Bottom of SVP Range Consider: Is degree required consistent with
degree on Appendix D
What Are the Four Levels?
LEVEL 2
“Qualified”Moderately Complex Tasks, requiring
limited judgmentConsider: where does experience &
education fall within Job Zone/SVP range
What Are the Four Levels?
LEVEL 3
ExperiencedExercise JudgmentCoordinate Activities of StaffMore extensive experience is requiredConsider: Any special skills,
supervisory responsibilities required?
What Are the Four Levels?
LEVEL 4
Plan & Conduct WorkAdvanced skills and diversified
knowledgeManagement &/or SupervisoryConsider: does required education and
experience go beyond Job Zone/SVP range?
Determining the Prevailing Wage
STEP 1: List Job Offer Requirements
STEP 2: Compare Job Offer Experience requirements with Job Zone/SVP RangeAt low end of range, add 1 levelAt high end of range, add 2 levelsOutside the range, add 3 levels
Determining the Prevailing Wage
STEP 3: Compare Job Offer Educational Requirements with DOL AppendixAdd a level for each level of education
higher than the “usual” degree
STEPS 4 – 6: Any special skills, licensure/certification, or supervisory duties? If yes, add a level
Let’s Test This Out!
Post-doc Research Associate
Microbiologist
19-1021
Ph.D. Job Zone 5
0 0 0
Ph.D.
Appendix A
Code 2
Ph.D.
0
0 0 0
0 0 0
1
Statistical Programmer
Statistician
15-2041
Master’s degree
+4 years
experience
Job Zone 5
4 yearsOver 4 years 0
Masters 0
Statistical Data
Analysis in
research setting
Considered a
special skill?
1
0
2
Code 3---
Masters
Assistant Clinical Professor
Health Spec. Teachers, Post-Sec.
25-1071
MD or equiv.
+3 yrs Rad.Trng., 1 yrFellowship
JobZone 5
0 0 0
M.D. Doctoral
degree
0
MA License + 4 yrs trng
License normal to
entry level
1
No -- 0
2
Assistant Professor
Surgeon
29-1067
MD or equiv.
+5 yrs Res.
2 yrs Fellow.
Job Zone 5
0 0 0
M.D. 0
MA License + 7 yrs trng
“Normal” 1
0 0 0
2
M.D.
But, SWA found level 4
Helpful Weblinks:
OES Prevailing Wage Guidance/Worksheetwww.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/pdf/Policy_Nonag_Progs.pdf
iCERT portalwww.icert.doleta.gov/
NAFSA iCERT guidancewww.nafsa.org/regulatory_information.sec/the_icert_portal_system
Questions?