6 CFR § 158.630 - Employee recognition.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t6/s158.630"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "6 CFR § 158.630 - Employee recognition."
title_number: 6
title_name: "Domestic Security"
section_number: "158.630"
section_name: "Employee recognition."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY"
part_number: "158"
part_name: "CYBERSECURITY TALENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (CTMS)"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Subpart H also issued under 5 U.S.C. Chapters 41 and 43; 5 CFR parts 410 and 430."
regulatory_source: "86 FR 47893, Aug. 26, 2021, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "158"
---


# 158.630 Employee recognition.

(a) *DHS-CS employees.* In alignment with the compensation strategy in § 158.601 and the performance management program described in § 158.802 of this part, the Department may provide recognition under §§ 158.631 through 158.634, on a periodic or *ad hoc* basis, to a DHS-CS employee based on the employee's mission impact. In providing such recognition, the Department may also consider mission-related requirements and strategic talent priorities.

(b) *Prospective employees.* In alignment with the compensation strategy in § 158.601, the Department may offer, and provide upon appointment, recognition payments under § 158.632(b) and recognition time-off under § 158.633(b), on a periodic or *ad hoc* basis, to an individual selected for employment in the DHS-CS based on:

(1) The individual's CTMS qualifications determined under the assessment program described in § 158.520;

(2) The individual's anticipated mission impact;

(3) Mission-related requirements; and

(4) Strategic talent priorities.

(c) *Eligibility.* The Department determines eligibility for recognition under this section, §§ 158.631 through 158.634, and CTMS policy implementing this section. The Department may defer providing recognition to a DHS-CS employee under this part if the Department is in the process of determining whether the employee's performance is unacceptable, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 4301(3), or whether the employee has engaged in misconduct. If the Department determines a DHS-CS employee's performance is unacceptable, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 4301(3), or the employee receives an unacceptable rating of record under § 158.804, or the Department determines the employee has engaged in misconduct, the employee is ineligible to receive recognition under this part.

(d) *Policy.* CTMS policy implementing this section addresses:

(1) Eligibility criteria;

(2) Requirements for documenting the reason and basis for recognition provided to a DHS-CS employee;

(3) Appropriate levels of review and approval for providing recognition;

(4) Any limitations on the total number, frequency, or amount of recognition a DHS-CS employee may receive within any specific time period;

(5) Any service agreement requirements; and

(6) Processes for evaluating the effectiveness of recognition in supporting the purpose of CTMS described in § 158.101, the purpose of the DHS-CS described in § 158.202, and the operationalization of the compensation strategy described in § 158.601.

(e) *Advisory appointees.* Recognition under this part for a DHS-CS advisory appointee is subject to additional requirements and restrictions in subpart J of this part.