Joint Circular No. 53/2015/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV stipulates the code number and qualification standards for environmental resource investigation vocational positions of specialized civil servants.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regulations on code number and qualification standards for career titles of civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation

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Pursuant to the Law on Civil ServantsNo. 58/2010/QH12 dated November 15, 2010;

Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government stipulating regulations ondevelopmentemployment, utilization and managementintention 2. This Circular applies to vocational education teachers in vocational education institutions, vocational education activity institutions, and vocational education and general education centers; other relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals.

Pursuant to Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary scalespolicies standardsonsalaryNo.with civil servants, public officials, civil servants, and armed forces; Decree No.No. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2013 of the Government amending some articles of Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP of the Government on salary scales, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CPm, amended and supplemented by Decree No. 109/2025/NĐ-CP and Decree No. 193/2025/NĐ-CP This Circular stipulates on classification, guidance, and support for technical specialties; technical catalogues; quality assessment of medical examination and treatment facilities; registration for health insurance medical examination and treatment and patient transfer among medical examination and treatment facilities under the Ministry of National Defense.onof civil servants, public officials, civil servants, and armed forcespolicies standardsonsalaryNo.Pursuant to Decree No. 24/2023/NĐ-CP dated May 14, 2023 of the Government stipulating the basic salary level

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2013/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2013 of the Government stipulating functions, tasks, organization and operational mechanisms;onvề nhiệm vụ và cơ cấu tổ chức của Bộ Tài nguyên và Môi trường;

Pursuant to Decree No. 58/2014/NĐ-CP dated June 16, 2014, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Home Affairs;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the Minister of Home Affairs issue this Joint Circular stipulating the code number, qualification standards, and appointment and salary classification according to career titles for civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation.No. and qualificationrime Minister cand salary grading for educational administrative staffon profession for civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation.oninvestigation

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

1. This Joint Circular stipulates the code number, qualification standards for career titles, and appointment and salary classification according to career titles for civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation.

2. This Joint Circular applies to civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation working in public service units.

Article 2. Code Number and Classification of Career Titles for Civil Servants in the Field of Natural Resources and Environment Investigation

1. Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level II Code Number: V.06.02.04

2. Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level III Code Number: V.06.02.05

3. Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level IV Code Number: V.06.02.06

Article 3. General Standards on Professional Ethics for Civil Servants in the Field of Natural Resources and Environment Investigation

1. Having a high sense of responsibility towards assigned tasks, always complying with laws; fulfilling all duties of a civil servant in professional activities.

2. Having a spirit of inquiry, cooperation, and continuous learning to improve professional skills, actively researching and proactively applying scientific achievements in natural resources and environment investigation work; being passionate about the job.

3. Not exploiting positions and powers to engage in activities that harm national defense, security, and national interests; not seeking personal benefits; maintaining state secrets within the scope of their expertise.

4. Living a healthy lifestyle, setting a good example; not being bureaucratic or corrupt; practicing thrift, opposing waste, and actively combating negative behaviors.

5. Being honest, united, objective, modest, and not harassing or obstructing citizens' rights and interests when performing related tasks.

Chapter II

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

Article 4. Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level II - Code Number: V.06.02.04

1. Duties:

a) Leading the organization and implementation of building projects and plans for investigation at the ministry and sector level; participating in technical work or a specialized technical field of comprehensive projects and plans involving multiple technical fields;

b) Leading the implementation of scientific research topics, participating in developing development projects for research and investigation in the sector; summarizing experiences and lessons learned from technical management and implementing assigned tasks;

c) Participating in compiling materials and training and retraining for civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment investigation at equivalent levels or below;

d) Participating in establishing technical standards and organizing the application of new scientific and technological advancements to enhance efficiency in research and investigation.

a) Graduating from a bachelor's degree or higher in geology, mineral resources, water resources, meteorology, hydrology, marine meteorology, oceanography, land, land administration, climate change, natural resources and environment or other relevant fields; if graduating from another field, must complete the professional knowledge and skill enhancement program specified by the management agency for natural resources and environment investigation professionals;

b) Having a foreign language proficiency level of Grade 3 as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 of the Ministry of Education and Training promulgating the Six-Level Foreign Language Proficiency Framework for Vietnam (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT);

c) Having computer skills meeting the basic standard for information technology usage as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications regulating the Standard for Information Technology Usage Skills (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT);

d) Holding a certificate for professional training according to the qualification standards for the position of Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level II.

a) Understanding the development strategy of sectors under the natural resources and environment field;

b) Having a deep understanding of one sector under the natural resources and environment field;

c) Possessing knowledge and experience in the field of investigation;

d) Mastering knowledge on economic and technical management and regulatory texts in the specialized investigation field;

đ) Having the ability to analyze and synthesize production and social life situations related to natural resources and environment investigation work;

A civil servant promoted from the position of Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level III to Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level II must have worked in the position of Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level III or equivalent for at least nine years, including at least two consecutive years in the position of Natural Resources and Environment Investigator Level III.

Article 5. Environmental Resource Investigator Level III - Code: V.06.02.05

1. Duties:

a) Lead the implementation of certain tasks of the investigation and survey project on resources and environment;

b) Participate in or directly prepare technical reports according to assigned responsibilities and tasks;

c) Participate in compiling materials and training for environmental resource investigators at equivalent levels or lower;

d) Participate in scientific and technological research projects; apply and implement new techniques in research and investigation to enhance productivity, quality, and effectiveness of work.

a) Graduating from a bachelor's degree or higher in geology, mineral resources, water resources, meteorology, hydrology, marine meteorology, oceanography, land, land administration, climate change, natural resources and environment or other relevant fields; if graduating from another field, must complete the professional knowledge and skill enhancement program specified by the management agency for natural resources and environment investigation professionals;

b) Have a foreign language proficiency level of grade 2 as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT;

c) Have computer skills meeting the basic information technology standards as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT;

d) Hold a certificate for professional career development training for Environmental Resource Investigator Level III.

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Possess basic knowledge about investigation work in one of the fields of natural resources and environment;

b) Master technical standards and specifications of the field;

An employee promoted from the position of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV to Environmental Resource Investigator Level III must have worked in the position of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV for the following period:

a) For initial recruitment with a college degree or higher, must have at least two years of experience working in the position of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV;

b) For initial recruitment with a secondary vocational school degree, must have at least three years of experience working in the position of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV.

Article 6. Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV - Code: V.06.02.06

1. Duties:

a) Participate in and carry out specific investigation and survey tasks on resources and environment; use technical tools, collect resources and environment materials according to technical standards and specifications;

b) Collect various types of samples, conduct preliminary analysis and classification of samples, store samples, establish sample records and forms according to regulations;

c) Prepare initial documentation and use materials to compile statistical tables, charts, cross-section diagrams, technical drawings for reporting purposes within the field of natural resources and environment;

d) Maintain technical equipment and tools for fieldwork and preserve relevant materials;

đ) Propose improvements in technology and rationalization of production; identify and propose reasonable measures during the implementation of technical tasks, personally responsible for assigned tasks;

e) Guide and inspect workers' compliance with technical standards and specifications, labor safety;

a) Graduated from a secondary vocational school or higher in geology, mineral resources, water resources, meteorology, hydrology, marine science, oceanography, land management, cadastral, climate change, natural resources and environment or other related fields; if graduated from another field, must complete a professional career development program specified by the agency managing environmental resource investigation professionals;

b) Have a level 1 foreign language proficiency as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT;

c) Have basic computer skills meeting the standard for information technology usage as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT;

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Possess proficient practical skills in the technical work assigned;

b) Understand guidance materials, technical standards and specifications, economic and technical norms, occupational safety and health technology;

c) Understand the technical features of equipment in the specialized field;

Chapter III

APPOINTMENT AND SALARY GRADING ACCORDING TO PROFESSIONAL TITLES

Article 7. Principles for Appointment and Salary Classification According to Professional Titles

1. Appointment to the professional position and salary grading for environmental resource investigation professionals must be based on job positions; educational and training qualifications; professional expertise and duties currently undertaken by the employee;

2. Employees appointed to professional positions and salary grading must meet the qualifications for environmental resource investigation professionals as prescribed in Chapters I and II of this Joint Circular;

3. When appointing from the current civil servant rank to the corresponding professional position of environmental resource investigation, it is not allowed to combine salary grade increase and promotion to a higher professional position.

Article 8. Appointment to occupational titles

In cases where civil servants have been transferred to new ranks and salaries or appointed to environmental resource investigation ranks as prescribed in Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT dated October 6, 2008 of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment promulgating the business standards for ranks of civil servants in the natural resources and environment sector (hereinafter referred to as Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT) and Circular Joint No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV dated November 25, 2010 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment - Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the transfer to new ranks and salaries of civil servants in the natural resources and environment sector (hereinafter referred to as Circular Joint No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV), they shall be appointed to occupational titles as follows:

1. Appoint the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level II (code V.06.02.04) to civil servants holding the rank of Senior Environmental Resource Investigator (rank code 14.242).

2. Appoint the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III (code V.06.02.05) to civil servants holding the rank of Environmental Resource Investigator (rank code 14.243).

3. Appoint the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV (code V.06.02.06) to civil servants holding the ranks of Associate Degree Environmental Resource Investigator (rank code 14.244) and College Degree Environmental Resource Investigator (rank code 14.245).

1. The occupational titles of civil servants specializing in environmental resource investigation shall apply the Professional Salary Table for Civil Servants in State Units (Table 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary systems for civil servants, public officials, and members of the armed forces (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP), as follows:

a) The occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level II applies the grade and salary coefficient of type A2, group 1 (A2.1), from salary coefficient 4.40 to 6.78;

b) The occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III applies the grade and salary coefficient of type A1, from salary coefficient 2.34 to 4.98;

c) The occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV applies the grade and salary coefficient of type B, from salary coefficient 1.86 to 4.06.

2. Salary classification when civil servants complete their probation period and are appointed to occupational titles: After completing the probation period as prescribed and being appointed to an occupational title by the competent authority managing civil servants, the following salary grading and coefficient shall be implemented according to the appointed occupational title:

a) In cases where civil servants with a doctoral degree are appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III (code V.06.02.05), they shall be classified at grade 3/9, salary coefficient 3.00 of type A1;

b) In cases where civil servants with a master's degree are appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III (code V.06.02.05), they shall be classified at grade 2/9, salary coefficient 2.67 of type A1;

c) In cases where civil servants with a bachelor's degree are appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III (code V.06.02.05), they shall be classified at grade 1/9, salary coefficient 2.34 of type A1;

d) In cases where civil servants with an associate degree are appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV (code V.06.02.06), they shall be classified at grade 2/12, salary coefficient 2.06 of type B;

đ) In cases where civil servants with a college degree are appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV (code V.06.02.06), they shall be classified at grade 1/12, salary coefficient 1.86 of type B.

3. The salary classification for civil servants appointed to occupational titles as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article who have been transferred to new ranks and salaries or appointed to environmental resource investigation ranks as prescribed in Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT and Circular Joint No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV shall be carried out as follows:

a) In cases where civil servants eligible for appointment to occupational titles of specialists in environmental resource investigation have the same salary coefficient and grade as in their previous rank, they shall be classified at the same salary coefficient and grade and any additional years of service allowance (if applicable) as enjoyed in their previous rank (including the time for the next salary increase or the additional years of service allowance in the previous rank) in the newly appointed occupational title.

Example 1: Mr. Phan Van A has been working at the Southern Union for Planning and Environmental Resource Investigation under the National Center for Planning and Environmental Resource Investigation since January 1, 2013, and was appointed to the rank of Environmental Resource Investigator (rank code 14.243) at grade 5/9, salary coefficient 3.66. Now, Mr. Phan Van A meets the conditions and criteria and is appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III (code V.06.02.05) by the competent authority, he will be classified at grade 5/9, salary coefficient 3.66 of the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level III from the date the decision takes effect; the time for the next salary increase will be calculated from January 1, 2013.

b) In cases where civil servants specializing in environmental resource investigation hold an associate degree and are currently classified at type A0 according to Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP, and are now appointed to the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV (code V.06.02.06), the salary classification shall be based on the time of compulsory social insurance contributions according to the state-defined wage scale (excluding the probation period), as follows:

- Starting from grade 2 of the occupational title of Environmental Resource Investigator Level IV, every two years (24 months) thereafter, they will be promoted to the next grade (if there are interrupted periods without enjoying social insurance benefits, these periods will be accumulated); if during the working period there is a year in which the assigned tasks are not completed or disciplinary action is taken, the promotion period will be extended according to the regular salary increase system.

- After transferring to the salary grade for the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV as mentioned above, if the salary coefficient assigned to the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV plus any seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the salary coefficient currently enjoyed in the old rank, then the difference coefficient shall be retained to equalize the current salary coefficient (including any seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) in the old rank; this retained difference coefficient shall be enjoyed throughout the entire period during which the civil servant is assigned to the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV. Subsequently, if the civil servant is promoted to a higher position, the retained difference coefficient shall be added to the current salary coefficient (including any seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling, if applicable) to determine the salary for the new position upon promotion, and the retained difference coefficient shall cease to be enjoyed from the date the salary for the new position takes effect.

Example 2: Ms. Pham Thi B, who graduated from a college specializing in Water Resources Engineering Technology, was recruited to work at the Northwest Geological Union, Vietnam Geological and Mineral Resources Department (now the Vietnam General Department of Geology and Mineral Resources), started social insurance contributions on January 1, 2006, and currently holds the rank of college-level environmental resource investigator (rank code 14.244), grade 4/10, with a salary coefficient of 3.03 for type A0 civil servants since July 1, 2015; during her tenure, she has consistently fulfilled assigned tasks without disciplinary actions. Now, Ms. Pham Thi B meets the criteria and has been appointed by the competent authority to the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV (code V.06.02.06), and her grading and salary coefficient will be as follows:

- The period of service of Ms. Pham Thi B from January 1, 2006, excluding the six-month probationary period, is calculated from grade 2 of the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV, and every two years, she is promoted one grade; thus, by July 1, 2014, Ms. Pham Thi B will be assigned to grade 6/12, with a salary coefficient of 2.86 for the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV from the effective date of the decision mentioned above; the next salary review period will be calculated from July 1, 2014; simultaneously, Ms. Pham Thi B will enjoy a retention difference coefficient of 0.17 (3.03 - 2.86).

- By July 1, 2016 (after two years), if Ms. Pham Thi B meets the conditions, she will be regularly promoted to grade 7/12, with a salary coefficient of 3.06 for the position of environmental resource investigator at level IV, and continue to enjoy the retention difference coefficient of 0.17 (total salary coefficient received is 3.23).

4. Civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation who achieve results in the examination or meet the criteria for promotion and are appointed by the competent authority to a higher position in the field of environmental resource investigation shall have their salaries determined according to the provisions of this Circular and in accordance with the guidance provided in Clause 1, Section II of Circular No. 02/2007/TT-BNV dated May 25, 2007, issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding salary determination when upgrading, changing ranks, or changing types of civil servants.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Provisions on Application

The agencies and units authorized to manage and utilize civil servants are responsible for creating conditions for civil servants to supplement the remaining criteria of the position of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation as stipulated in this Joint Circular for those who have been transferred to new ranks and salary grades or appointed to the ranks of environmental resource investigators according to Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT and Joint Circular No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV.

Article 11. Implementation Organization

1. This Joint Circular serves as the basis for the recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation in public institutions.

2. Non-public institutions may apply these provisions to recruit, utilize, and manage personnel engaged in environmental resource investigation work.

3. The heads of public service units directly managing and utilizing civil servants shall be responsible for:

b) Appoint the position of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation within the authorized jurisdiction or delegated authority after the transfer and assignment plan has been approved by the competent authority.

4. The heads of subordinate agencies, departments, ministries, and provincial people's committees directly under the central government are responsible for:

b) Appoint the position of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation within the authorized jurisdiction or delegated authority after the transfer and assignment plan has been approved by the competent authority.

5. Ministries, departments, and provincial people's committees are responsible for:

a) Directing agencies and units under their management to implement the transfer and assignment of positions;

c) Appointing the position of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation within their authority;

d) Annually reporting the results of appointments and salary assignments for civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation under their management to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 12. Effective Date

1. This Joint Circular takes effect from February 1, 2016.

2. Abolish the regulations on the titles and codes of the ranks of civil servants in the field of environmental resource investigation in Decision No. 01/2008/QĐ-BNV dated August 4, 2008, issued by the Minister of Home Affairs regarding the issuance of titles and codes for the ranks of civil servants in the field of natural resources and environment.

3. Repeal the provisions on the professional standards for the ranks of specialized civil servants in environmental resource investigation set out in Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT dated October 6, 2008, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the professional standards for the ranks of civil servants in the natural resources and environment sector.

4. Repeal the provisions on guidelines for transferring rank and determining salary for specialized civil servants in environmental resource investigation set out in Circular Joint Circular No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV dated November 25, 2010, issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Home Affairs guiding the transfer of rank and determination of salary for civil servants in the natural resources and environment sector.

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, the head of a ministry-level agency; the head of an agency under the Government, the Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for implementing this Joint Circular.

2. In case of any difficulties during implementation, they are requested to report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consolidation and coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider and resolve the issues./.