Common use of MERIT ADJUSTMENTS Clause in Contracts

MERIT ADJUSTMENTS. A. Work time lost as a result of unpaid leaves of absence for suspension from duty for disciplinary reasons shall automatically extend the time period for merit adjustment consideration. B. Initial wages and merit increases will be based on the following intervals 1. New employees who are not certified as Firefighter II and Paramedic shall start at “Firefighter Trainee” step (currently Step 1) and shall serve a 1-year probationary period. No employee shall advance beyond “Firefighter Trainee” pay grade until he or she has earned certification as both Firefighter II and EMT. 2. Members hired or having earned certification as Firefighter and EMT shall be placed in “Firefighter EMT” step, currently Step 2. No employee shall advance beyond “Firefighter EMT” pay grade until he or she has earned certification as Paramedic, at which point the employee shall be placed in the appropriate FFPM pay range consistent with the length of service from the most recent date of hire. 3. The probationary period of a newly appointed firefighter shall be extended by the number of days spent in initial firefighter and EMT training; is off duty due to sick leave, injury leave, or other form of leave; or is on a light duty assignment. 4. New employees who are certified as both Firefighter II and Paramedic shall serve a 1- year probationary period and shall earn merit increases on the following schedule: Time of Service Old pay range New pay range Date of hire through 1 year Step 3 FFPM Step 1 1 year through 2 years Step 4 FFPM Step 2 2 years through 3 years Step 5 FFPM Step 3 3 years through 4 years Step 6 FFPM Step 4 After 4 years Step 7 FFPM Step 5 5. The Municipality may, at the discretion of the Chief of Fire, offer a starting pay above FFPM Step 1 based on qualifications and experience of the candidate. C. Merit adjustment consideration for the classes of Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, and Deputy Chief shall be at the conclusion of the standard six (6) month period of probation. D. The awarding and timing of merit adjustments assumes that employee performance has been acceptable and that such adjustments are earned by merit. Employee absences in excess of the ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ Fire Department sick leave policy, as formulated within the Team ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇ concept, will be grounds for the withholding of merit adjustments.