ACN 144/19 - DEC 2019 CIVILIAN CYBERSECURITY EMPLOYEE RETENTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM

ALCOAST COMMANDANT NOTICE                           CANCEL DATE  08 DEC 2020           

R 090808 DEC 19
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-12/CG-7//
TO ALCOAST 
UNCLAS //N12500//
ACN 144/19
SUBJ:  CIVILIAN CYBERSECURITY EMPLOYEE RETENTION INCENTIVE PROGRAM
A. Cybersecurity Employee Retention Incentive Program, COMDTINST 12500.4
B. DHS Cybersecurity Retention Incentive Plan, July 2017
C. DHS Cybersecurity Workforce Coding Guidance, April 2016
1. This ACN announces the promulgation of REF (A) that establishes policy and procedures
governing the use of the Cybersecurity Employee Retention Plan for Coast Guard civilian
employees IAW REFs (B) and (C).
2. REF (B) authorizes cybersecurity retention incentive payments for individual employees
with critical cyber certifications or group incentive payments for employees with unusually
high or unique qualifications in cybersecurity designated positions who are likely to leave
Federal Service.
3. The Office of Cyberspace Forces (CG-791) will publish, at least annually, the
certifications, rates, and critical work roles for the individual incentives. The group
retention incentive is not available for FY2020. Supervisors of employees whose positions’
require one of the below listed competencies, have earned a listed certification for that
competency, and meet all of the eligibility criteria listed in REF (A) Section 17 may
submit an individual retention incentive request for their eligible employee(s). For FY2020,
Coast Guard competencies, eligible certifications, and incentive rates (percentage of annual
base pay) are:
CG Competency Code          Eligible Certification                       Incentive Rate (%)
IAT (Tier III)                       CISSP                                                   15
IAM (Tier II or III)               CISSP                                                   15
ISSO                                  CISSP                                                   15
CND-IR                               GCIH                                                    15
CND-IR                               CSIH                                                    15
CND-IR                               CEH                                                     15
CND-A                                GCIA                                                    15
CND-A                                CEH                                                     15
CND-SPM                            CISSP-ISSMP                                        15
CND-AU                              CISA                                                    15
CND-AU                              GSNA                                                   15
CND-AU                              CEH                                                     15
CND-IS                               SSCP                                                   15
CND-IS                               CEH                                                     15
CYBRCDM                           CCNA                                                   10
CYBERINT                           SEC+                                                   10
4. Requests for cybersecurity retention incentive payments must be made in writing by the
supervisors and endorsed by COMDT (CG-791). All requests must be documented using the
Cybersecurity Retention Incentive Request, Form CG-5305E at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/sites/externaldata/Directives/CI_12500_4.pdf, and should include
documentation justifying that the employee(s) is/are likely to leave Federal Service. Once
endorsed by COMDT (CG-791), requests will be forwarded to COMDT (CG-123) for final
review and determination.
5. Employees authorized to receive a cybersecurity retention incentive must agree to the
terms and conditions specified in the Cybersecurity Employee Retention Incentive Agreement
prior to receiving incentive payments.
6. Retention incentive payments will be paid in biweekly installment payments at the full
incentive percentage NTE 26 pay periods beginning the first full pay period after COMDT
(CG-123) approval and the date the Cybersecurity Employee Retention Incentive Agreement
is signed by the employee and supervisor.
7. Cybersecurity retention incentive payments will be terminated if the employee separates
from the Coast Guard for any reason, is demoted for cause, fails to maintain a performance
level equivalent to “Meets expectations”, or otherwise violates the conditions of the
Cybersecurity Employee Retention Incentive Agreement.
8. Questions about the civilian cybersecurity employee retention incentive program may be
directed to: COMDT (CG-122), Tenika Jefferson, Tenika.M.Jefferson@uscg.mil, or COMDT (CG-791),
Alice Dunn, Alice.F.Dunn@uscg.mil.
9. Released by Ms. Michelle Godfrey, Director Civilian Human Resources, Diversity and
Leadership and RDML Matthew W. Sibley, Assistant Commandant for Capability.
10. Internet release is authorized.