Review Salary and Benefits Information

Civil Service

Upon initial appointment, the Title-42 fellowship entry grade will be set comparable to the Federal Government General Schedule (GS) base pay rate equivalent of GS-12, step 3 regardless of previous experience and compensation. An additional locality pay, for non-medical EIS officers, is based on the location of the official duty station. In addition to base pay, physicians are allowed up to an additional $20,000 per year with an active, U.S. unrestricted license.

Additional incentives include:

• Thrift Savings Plan
• Federal Employees Retirement System Benefit Plan
• Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan
• Federal Employees Group Life Insurance
• Federal Employees Vision and Dental Insurance Program
• 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave every 2 weeks (13 days total of each per year)

U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps (U.S. Citizens Only)

The USPHS is one of the seven Uniformed Services. It is a specialized career system designed to attract, develop, and retain health professionals to accomplish its mission.

Incoming EIS officers must meet eligibility criteria for the Commissioned Corps:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be less than 44 years of age (at date of entry into EIS)
• Have a degree in an appropriate health-related discipline
• Meet medical standards

Student Loan Repayment

CDC has authority to provide student loan repayment for each of the two years of EIS service. The actual amount each qualified officer receives will depend on the availability of funds and number of officers who qualify.

• Will student loan repayment be offered? If so, are Commissioned Corps officers eligible?  EIS officers who qualify and pre-match to selected field-based positions are eligible to receive student loan repayment, subject to the availability of funds, for a 2-year service agreement, which is the length of the EIS program. Payments will be made directly to the institution and to the IRS. Yes, Commissioned Corps officers are eligible under the current legislative authority.
• Is repayment limited to federal loans, or can it be used for any institutional loans?  Repayment is limited to qualified federal loans.  Only federally made, insured, or guaranteed student loans are eligible for repayment consideration.
• Are refinanced student loans that include loans from a spouse eligible for student loan repayment? No, under the current program consolidated loans of both an EIS officer and spouse would not be eligible.
• What are the tax implications associated with the student loan repayment?  CDC will pay the officer’s financial institution (s) directly the agreed upon amount.  In addition, CDC will pay the IRS directly 39% tax on behalf of the officer.  This total amount paid to the IRS on behalf of the officer will be reported as income and included in box 1 on the officer’s W2.  Individuals should consult with their tax professional for any individual tax related questions. CDC will also pay the employer matching for Social Security tax (6.2%) and Medicare tax (1.45%) which is an additional 7.65% for CY2020.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Status (J-1 Visas)

CDC sponsors J-1 Exchange Visitor Program status for EIS officers who are not U.S. citizens. Upon initial appointment, the fellowship entry grade will be set comparable to the Federal Government General Schedule (GS) base pay rate equivalent of GS-12, step 3 regardless of previous experience and compensation. An additional locality pay is based on the location of the official duty station. All physicians must have a U.S. unrestricted license. Physicians are allowed up to an additional $20,000 per year with an active, U.S. unrestricted license.

Additional incentives include:

• Reimbursement for insurance coverage up to $900 per month
• 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave every 2 weeks (13 days total of each per year)