Howard County                                   2759

q. Group

A division of a service in the position-classification plan including
offices and employments having duties of similar character and standard.
Within each group are included positions with standards, titles, duties,
classifications and compensation.

r. Immediate Family

Includes wife, husband, son, daughter, mother, father, brother or
sister or parents-in-law of employee.

s. Increment

An addition to any rate of pay as indicated in the prevailing pay
plan.

t. Leave

An approved type of absence from work as provided for by these
rules.

u. Merit Pay Increment

Meritorious increase in pay recommended by Department Head and
approved by Personnel Officer.

v. Open Competitive Examination

An examination open to the public and not limited to applicants
in County service.

w. Overtime

Time worked by an employee in excess of his normal working hours.

x. Pay Grade

A number symbol indicating the pay range of a class of positions.

y. Pay Range

One or more, but usually six, specific pay rates having a constant
percentage relationship to one another, assigned to a class of positions
as the compensation for that class.

z. Pay Rate

A specific dollar amount, expressed as either an annual rate, a monthly
rate, or an hourly rate, as shown in the Pay Plan of the County.

zz. Position Description

A written explanation of one position or of very similar positions
which always includes a title, a general definition of responsibilities,
a list of specified duties, and the minimum required qualifications.

zzz. Probationary Period

The working test period of employment beginning with the initial
date of appointment to the Merit System.

aa. Public Safety Employees

Those employees of the police department and communications re-
quired to maintain twenty-four hour service.