Section 97-2-003 - COMPENSATION003.01 Pay Plan 003.01A The Executive Secretary shall have on file a pay plan setting forth the rates of compensation for all positions it maintains within the Agency.003.01B Said pay plan shall be utilized as a guideline for hiring, promoting, adjusting or demoting new or existing employees. It is not intended that this pay plan be in any way binding upon the Executive Secretary; the sole purpose of said plan is to serve as a guideline.003.01C The Executive Secretary may revise the pay plan when position changes, availability of labor supply, prevailing rates of pay or economic conditions so dictate.003.01D All new employees will normally be hired at the hiring rate of the pay grade for their position except as authorized in Paragraph Five (5) of this Section or when the Executive Secretary deems it in the best interest of the trust to hire an employee at a level of compensation other than as set forth in the pay plan.003.01E The Executive Secretary may, at its discretion, offer applicants who exceed the minimum qualifications for a position classification any step higher than the beginning step of the pay grade for that position depending upon the applicant's qualifications and the needs of the Board. Such beginning salary would affect that person only, and would not require any salary changes for other incumbents in the same class of position.003.01F The Executive Secretary shall consider promotions or demotions. Said promotions or demotions may be determined and the new rate of compensation established depending on the circumstances. The decision of the Executive Secretary may be appealed to the Board by the affected employee in accordance with Section VI, Paragraph F.003.01G Any employee who returns from authorized military leave, or other authorized leave of absence, shall be paid at the same salary rate for which he would have been eligible had he not gone on leave.003.02 Pay Advancements003.02A A new employee who has performed in a satisfactory manner for a period of six months may be advanced to the minimum permanent rate of the pay grade for his position. Employees may be hired or promoted in excess of permanent rate. Said employees will serve a six month probationary period but will not receive a probationary increase other than cost of living increases or merit raises.003.02B When the Executive Secretary considers an employee for a pay advancement, said advancement shall be without regard to economic conditions or cost of living factors. The purpose of the advancement shall be to reward an employee who has gained additional working experience or has performed in an exemplary fashion such as to warrant a pay increase.003.02C The Executive Secretary shall in addition to pay advances prepare a proposal for a cost of living increase for all employees on or before July 1 of each fiscal year and shall submit the same to the Board for approval. The Board shall act upon the Executive Secretary's proposal by approving, disapproving, or amending the same.003.03 General Pay Provisions003.03A All rates of pay are based on a work year of 2080 hours. Employees starting work on a day other than the first day of a pay period or terminating on a day other than the last day of a pay period shall have their pay computed for the time worked during that pay period by multiplying the number of hours worked (including paid holidays) by the hourly rate specified for their annual pay rate.003.03B Provisions of this section pertain to all employees with the exception of the Executive Secretary and other Individuals so determined by the Board. Levels of compensation for the Executive Secretary and other indicated individuals shall be determined without regard to any provisions contained within these personnel rules.97 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 2, § 003