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U.S. Department of Energy                          POLICY          
      Washington, D.C.				DOE P 310.1
                                
                                
                                
                                                  10-11-01               

SUBJECT:  MAXIMUM ENTRY AND MANDATORY SEPARATION AGES FOR CERTAIN
          SECURITY EMPLOYEES


PURPOSE

To establish a Department of Energy (DOE) policy on the maximum entry and mandatory
separation ages for primary or secondary positions covered under special statutory retirement
provisions and for those employees whose primary duties are the protection of officials of the
United States against threats to personal safety or the investigation, apprehension, and detention
of individuals suspected or convicted of offenses against the criminal laws of the United States.

POLICY

In accordance with Title 5 U.S.C. 3307 (f), the Secretary of Energy has set the maximum entry
age as 37 for nuclear material courier, law enforcement officer, and physical security specialist
positions covered under the special provisions of Title 5 U.S.C. 8331 (20) and (27) and Title 5
U.S.C. 8401 (17) and (33).  The date immediately preceding the 38th birthday is the last date for
initial appointment to any of these positions.  In cases where an organization can demonstrate
critical needs or skill shortages, exemptions to the maximum entry age may be approved up to
the age of 40. 

The Secretary of Energy has also established that any employee in these positions must be
separated from service on the last day of the month in which he or she reaches 57 years of age or
completes 20 years of service.  Exemptions from the mandatory separation age may be granted
up to age 60 for special cases in which continuation of the employee's services promotes the
needs of the organization and retention of the incumbent's services clearly serves the public
interest. 

BY ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF ENERGY:


FRANCIS S. BLAKE
Deputy Secretary