(a) In alignment with the compensation strategy described in § 158.601 and the career development program described in § 158.803, the Department may provide professional development and training opportunities, payments, and reimbursements for DHS-CS employees.

(b) CTMS policy implementing this section addresses:

(1) Eligibility criteria;

(2) Requirements for documenting the reason and basis for professional development and training opportunities, payments, and reimbursements provided to a DHS-CS employee;

(3) Appropriate levels of review and approval for providing professional development and training opportunities, payments, and reimbursements;

(4) Any limitations on the total number or frequency of professional development and training opportunities, and any limitations on the total number, frequency, or amount of professional development and training payments and reimbursements a DHS-CS employee may receive, within any specific time period;

(5) Any service agreement requirements;

(6) Requirements for communicating to DHS-CS employees and their supervisors about professional development and training opportunities; and

(7) Processes for evaluating the effectiveness of the professional development and training in supporting the purpose of CTMS described in § 158.101, the purpose of the DHS-CS described in § 158.202, and the operationalization of the compensation strategy described in § 158.601.

(c) Any payment or reimbursement under this section is excluded from the aggregate compensation limit described in § 158.604.

(d) Any payment or reimbursement under this section is not salary under this part and is not basic pay for any purpose under 5 U.S.C. or 5 CFR.

(e) Professional development and training under this section is based on the following training and professional development opportunities, payments, and reimbursements provided under 5 U.S.C.:

(1) Sabbaticals under 5 U.S.C. 3396;

(2) Academic degree training under 5 U.S.C. 4107;

(3) Expenses of training under 5 U.S.C. 4109;

(4) Expenses of attendance at meetings under 5 U.S.C. 4110; and

(5) Payment of expenses to obtain professional credentials under 5 U.S.C. 5757.

(f) In addition to any professional development and training under this section, a DHS-CS employee may be eligible to receive the training and professional development opportunities, payments, and reimbursements provided under 5 U.S.C. listed in paragraph (e) of this section.

(g) Professional development and training under this section for a DHS-CS advisory appointee is subject to additional requirements and restrictions in subpart J of this part.