Section 330 - Vermont Internship Program(a) A Vermont Internship Program is created:(1) to attract persons to train for and then serve State government in occupations where the State anticipates difficulty attracting or retaining qualified employees;(2) to provide an enriched experience designed to bring trainees to full class performance levels in a logical and systematic manner;(3) to support equal employment opportunity; and(4) to provide upward mobility, lateral movement, or other opportunities for current employees who have demonstrated high potential.(b) Position authorization. (2) The positions may be created in response to real or anticipated recruitment and retention difficulties or in instances wherein the Commissioner has determined the State's needs for individuals to serve in a certain position will best be met through the Vermont internship program.(3) Each position authorized by the Commissioner shall be established for a specific period of time not to exceed five years. In accordance with the approved plan, or where the Commissioner deems it appropriate, Vermont Internship Program positions shall revert to the Commissioner for reallocation.(4) Departments or agencies shall use existing monetary resources to fund the positions created under this section.(5) Requests for positions under the Vermont Internship Program shall be in a form and following procedures prescribed by the Commissioner. All requests shall certify that all reasonable efforts shall be made to insure a vacant position will be available to each Vermont Internship Program participant upon completion of the program.(c)(1) Eligibility. Any person shall be eligible to compete for participation in the Vermont Internship Program.(2) Outreach efforts shall be extended appropriately to assure that all segments of the qualified populace are informed about opportunities to apply and compete for these vacancies on the basis of merit.(d)(1) Selection and retention. Departments and agencies have final responsibility for selection of Vermont Internship Program candidates using criteria and procedures to be issued by the Department of Human Resources.(2) Departments shall make a diligent effort to select Vermont internship participants from among applicants who are State employees.(3) A Vermont Internship Program employee must maintain a satisfactory performance rating at all times for job-training activities, must receive at least a grade of C (or its equivalent) in classes taken as part of the Vermont Internship Program plan, and, if enrolled in any degree program, must maintain minimum requirements by the educational institution.(e)(1) Development of candidates. All Vermont Internship Program members shall have individual development plans approved by the Commissioner of Human Resources.(2) The actual developmental systems used, whether job rotation, special projects, details, or progressively more difficult tasks, education, and training shall form part of the individual development plans.(3) The department or agency making use of a Vermont Internship Program shall conduct regular reviews of performance and progression of capabilities and shall submit written documentation of this on a form and using procedures provided for by the Commissioner of Human Resources.(f)(1) Rights of Vermont Internship Program members. Vermont Internship Program participants shall be deemed to be classified State employees in their initial probationary period for the entire period of their participation, and continuation of one's training in Vermont Internship Programs shall be in the discretion of the appointing authority. They shall be paid the minimum rate for comparable positions in the classified service, unless otherwise authorized by the Commissioner of Human Resources.(2) Vermont Internship Program participants shall agree to work in a State position consistent with the approved plan after completion of the planned Vermont internship for a period of time equal to the length of Vermont Internship Program participation. Any Vermont Internship Program member who does not satisfy this requirement shall reimburse the State for all tuition, fees and/or expenses paid by the State in connection with Vermont Internship Program participation, including salary paid during periods of paid educational leave, unless waived by the Commissioner of Human Resources.(3) Unless authorized by the approved plan, Vermont Internship Program participants shall participate in on-the-job training of at least 20 hours per week. They are eligible for State classified medical and life insurance plans as well as leave benefits in the same manner and to the same extent as State employees working similar schedules.(4) Upon satisfactory completion of the Vermont Internship Program, the participants shall be eligible for noncompetitive appointment to a vacant position consistent with the approved plan, which shall be made available by the participating department unless waived by the Commissioner of Human Resources.(5) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in sections 455 et seq. of this title, upon completion of a State employment commitment described in subdivision (2) of this subsection, such employee shall receive State employment retirement credit for all Vermont Internship Program time.(6) A classified State employee who accepts an appointment to the Vermont Internship Program shall be entitled to a leave of absence in the same manner and to the same extent as if he or she had accepted appointment to an exempt position in State government.(7) Vermont Internship Program members aggrieved under this section shall have right of appeal to the Commissioner of Human Resources who shall decide.(8) Nothing provided herein shall be construed to be inconsistent with or in violation of section 310 or 312 of this title.Added 1989, No. 80, § 1; amended 1989, No. 277 (Adj. Sess.), § 13; 2003, No. 156 (Adj. Sess.) , § 15.