Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

2-0802-27 Student Volunteers, International Trade Administration
27. Student Volunteers, International Trade Administration. These volunteers for the U. S. Department
of Commerce may be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals. Their services are specifically authorized under 5
U.S.C. 3111, which states that they are considered Federal employees under 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq. They
work under a Volunteer Service Agreement (VSA) and are supervised by the Foreign Commercial Service
Officer at the assigned mission. According to the VSA, their duties include assignments such as
conducting market research, preparing reports, drafting replies to correspondence, and promoting and
recruiting exhibitors for trade events. These volunteers may be considered civil employees.
2-0802-28 National Guard Civilian Youth Opportunities Pilot Program
28. National Guard Civilian Youth Opportunities Pilot Program. Participants in this program, which was
established by the Defense Authorization Act of 1993 and which is also known as the Youth Challenge
Program, undergo military-based training which includes supervised work experience in community
service and conservation projects. The enrollees may be considered civil employees for purposes of
coverage under the FECA, since the Defense Authorization Act specifically authorizes their services and
states that they will be considered Federal employees under 5 U.S.C. 8101 et seq.
The law defines performance of duty for these enrollees much as FECA PM Chapter 2-1700.6c describes it
for Job Corps enrollees.
The guidance in that chapter should be used in making performance of duty determinations for enrollees
in the Youth Opportunities Pilot Program.
2-0802-29 NASA Exchange Employees
29. NASA Exchange Employees. Employees of exchanges operated by the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA) work in cafeterias and other facilities designed for the welfare of NASA
employees. These exchanges are similar to those operated by the armed forces, whose employees are
covered under the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act (LHWCA) rather than the FECA.
Because the LHWCA covers only employees of the armed forces, it has been determined that NASA
exchange employees are to be considered civil employees under the FECA.
2-0802-30 AmeriCorps Members
30. AmeriCorps Members. The Commission on National and Community Service administers the
American Conservation and Youth Corps, which makes grants to states or other applicants (non-profit
groups) to fund youth service corps. The participants are not generally considered Federal employees,
even though some may work directly for Federal agencies. However, section 42 U.S.C. 12655n (b)(2)
states in part that:
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