Joint Circular No. 56/2015/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV stipulates the code number and standards for positions and career qualifications of environmental resource monitoring professionals.

JOINT CIRCULAR

Regulations on code numbers and job title standards for environmental resource monitoring professionals

specialized in environmental resource monitoring

Pursuant to the Civil Servant Law No. 58/2010/QH12 dated November 15, 2010;

Decree No. Pursuant to Decree No. 29/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 12, 2012 of the Government on recruitment, utilization, and management of civil servants;

Pursuant to Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on salary system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces; and Decree No. 17/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 19, 2013 of the Government amending and supplementing certain Articles of Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP of the Government on salary system for cadres, civil servants, public officials, and armed forces;

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2013/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2013, promulgated by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

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

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the Minister of Home Affairs issue this Joint Circular stipulating code numbers and job title standards for environmental resource monitoring professionals.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation and Applicability

Article 1. This Joint Circular stipulates code numbers, job title standards, appointment, and grading according to job titles for environmental resource monitoring professionals.

Article 2. This Joint Circular applies to environmental resource monitoring professionals working in public service units.

Article 2. Code Numbers and Job Title Grades for Environmental Resource Monitoring Professionals

1. Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer Grade II Code Number: V.06.05.13

2. Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer Grade III Code Number: V.06.05.14

3. Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer Grade IV Code Number: V.06.05.15

Article 3. General Professional Ethics Standards for Environmental Resource Monitoring Professionals

1. High sense of responsibility towards assigned work, always adhering to laws; fulfilling all duties of a public official in professional activities.

2. Having a spirit of inquiry, cooperation, and continuous learning to enhance professional skills; actively researching and proactively applying scientific achievements in environmental resource monitoring work; passionate about their work.

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

4. Living a healthy lifestyle, being exemplary; not bureaucratic or corrupt; practicing thrift, combating waste, and actively fighting negative behaviors.

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

Chapter II

OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS

Article 4. Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer Grade II - Code Number: V.06.05.13

1. Duties:

a) Leading and implementing monitoring shifts or programs in accordance with technical standards;

b) Leading and organizing the implementation of monitoring projects and programs; establishing detailed progress plans for program implementation;

c) Guiding and training lower-grade environmental resource monitoring professionals in building, reporting, and implementing monitoring in accordance with technical standards;

d) Leading or participating in developing standards, technical regulations, projects, and programs at the ministry or sector level;

đ) Leading or directly preparing monitoring reports; developing complex research topics and projects on environmental resource monitoring;

e) Organizing, directing, guiding, and inspecting lower-grade environmental resource monitoring professionals in implementing monitoring;

g) Leading or participating in compiling materials and training, enhancing lower-grade environmental resource monitoring professionals from equivalent grades downwards.

a) Graduated from university or higher in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, marine science, environment, water resources, climate change, or other relevant fields; if graduated from another field, must complete professional knowledge and skill enhancement programs as prescribed by the environmental resource monitoring professional management agency;

b) Possessing foreign language proficiency level 3 as stipulated in Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT dated January 24, 2014 of the Ministry of Education and Training on the Vietnamese Foreign Language Competency Framework (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 01/2014/TT-BGDĐT);

c) Possessing basic information technology skills as stipulated in Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT dated March 11, 2014 of the Ministry of Information and Communications on Information Technology Competency Standards (hereinafter referred to as Circular No. 03/2014/TT-BTTTT);

d) Holding a certificate for professional enhancement according to the job title standard for environmental resource monitoring officer grade II.

a) Possessing advanced skills in monitoring activities;

b) Proficient in technical standards, regulations, economic-technical norms in monitoring and equipment usage techniques, safety measures;

c) Capable of organizing, managing technical aspects, implementing monitoring programs, and preparing monitoring component reports on natural resources and the environment;

d) Capable of analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating natural and social conditions affecting environmental resource monitoring activities;

đ) Capable of researching and applying domestic and international scientific, technological, and technical information on monitoring;

A professional promoted from Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer Grade III to Grade II must have worked in Grade III or equivalent for at least nine years, including at least two years in Grade III immediately prior to promotion.

Article 5. Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level III - Code: V.06.05.14

1. Duties:

a) Implement surveillance programs as prescribed; participate in building and planning surveillance programs;

b) Guide, participate in or directly train to enhance professional skills for surveillance officers in the environmental resource field at equivalent levels or lower in accordance with surveillance regulations;

c) Prepare surveillance reports; participate in developing research topics and projects on environmental resource surveillance;

d) Participate in guiding and inspecting technical surveillance activities; use equipment in compliance with standards and technical regulations.

a) Graduated from university or higher in meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, marine science, environment, water resources, climate change, or other relevant fields; if graduated from another field, must complete professional knowledge and skill enhancement programs as prescribed by the environmental resource monitoring professional management agency;

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 training in accordance with the occupational title standard for Environmental Resource Surveillance Officers Level III.

a) Be proficient in surveillance activities; able to prepare environmental resource component surveillance reports;

b) Proficient in technical standards, regulations, economic-technical norms in monitoring and equipment usage techniques, safety measures;

c) Understand natural and social conditions, characteristics of resources and the environment, scientific, technical, and technological information about surveillance both domestically and internationally.

Surveillance officers promoted from the position of Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level IV to Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level III must have worked in the position of Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level IV for the following period:

a) For initial recruitment cases with a college degree or higher, there must be a minimum of two years of work experience holding the position of Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level IV;

b) For initial recruitment cases with a secondary vocational degree, there must be a minimum of three years of work experience holding the position of Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level IV.

Article 6. Environmental Resource Surveillance Officer Level IV - Code: V.06.05.15

1. Duties:

a) Conduct surveillance, calculate, adjust data, prepare and issue reports according to regulations;

b) Collect surveillance samples, store samples in accordance with technical standards;

c) Prepare surveillance reports, hand over samples and record handover documents in accordance with guidance and technical standards in surveillance;

d) Use and maintain equipment in accordance with usage instructions;

đ) Comply with labor safety regulations;

a) Graduated from a secondary vocational school or higher in meteorology, hydrology, marine science, oceanography, environment, water resources, climate change, or related fields; if graduated from another field, must complete the professional knowledge and skill enhancement program specified by the management agency of the environmental resource surveillance field;

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

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

3. Qualifications regarding professional expertise and skills:

a) Possess general knowledge about the assigned surveillance specialty;

b) Master at least one surveillance task among meteorology, hydrology, marine science, water resources, and environment;

c) Be thoroughly familiar with technical standards for environmental resource surveillance;

d) Proficiently use machinery, equipment, and tools in professional tasks;

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 occupational title and salary grade for surveillance officers in the environmental resource field must be based on job positions; educational and training standards; professional and vocational capabilities; and duties undertaken by the officer.

2. Surveillance officers appointed to the occupational title and salary grade must meet the occupational title standards for surveillance officers in the environmental resource field as stipulated in Chapters I and II of this Joint Circular.

3. When appointing from the current civil servant rank to the corresponding occupational title of surveillance officer in the environmental resource field, it is not allowed to combine salary increment and promotion of the occupational title simultaneously.

Article 8. Appointment to occupational titles

In cases where civil servants have been transferred to new ranks and salaries or appointed to environmental resource monitoring 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 civil servant ranks 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 for 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. Appointing the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer II (code V.06.05.13) occupational title to civil servants currently holding the Senior Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer rank (rank code 14.256).

2. Appointing the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III (code V.06.05.14) occupational title to civil servants currently holding the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer rank (rank code 14.257).

3. Appointing the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV (code V.06.05.15) occupational title to civil servants currently holding the College-level Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer rank (rank code 14.258) and the Secondary-level Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer rank (rank code 14.259).

1. The occupational titles of specialized civil servants in the field of environmental resource monitoring shall apply the Professional and Business Salary Scale for State-run Unit Staff (Scale 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 of the Government on the salary system for cadres, civil servants, public employees, and armed forces personnel (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP), as follows:

a) The Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer II occupational title applies the grade and salary coefficient of type A2, group 1 (A2.1) civil servants, from salary coefficient 4.40 to 6.78.

b) The Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III occupational title applies the grade and salary coefficient of type A1 civil servants, from salary coefficient 2.34 to 4.98.

c) The Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV occupational title applies the grade and salary coefficient of type B civil servants, from salary coefficient 1.86 to 4.06.

2. Determining the salary 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 steps shall be taken to determine the grade and salary coefficient according to the appointed occupational title:

a) In cases where civil servants with a doctoral degree are appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III (code V.06.05.14) occupational title, they shall be assigned grade 3/9, salary coefficient 3.00 of type A1 civil servants.

b) In cases where civil servants with a master's degree are appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III (code V.06.05.14) occupational title, they shall be assigned grade 2/9, salary coefficient 2.67 of type A1 civil servants.

c) In cases where civil servants with a bachelor's degree are appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III (code V.06.05.14) occupational title, they shall be assigned grade 1/9, salary coefficient 2.34 of type A1 civil servants.

d) In cases where civil servants with an associate degree are appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV (code V.06.05.15) occupational title, they shall be assigned grade 2/12, salary coefficient 2.06 of type B civil servants.

đ) In cases where civil servants with a secondary degree are appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV (code V.06.05.15) occupational title, they shall be assigned grade 1/12, salary coefficient 1.86 of type B civil servants.

3. The determination of salary 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 monitoring 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 meet the conditions for appointment to the occupational title of specialized civil servants in the field of environmental resource monitoring and have the same salary coefficient and grade as in their previous rank, they shall continue to enjoy the same salary coefficient, grade, and any additional years-of-service allowance (if applicable) as in their previous rank (including the time for the next salary grade increase or the additional years-of-service allowance in the previous rank) upon appointment to the new occupational title.

Example 1: Ms. Dang Thi A, working at the Environmental Resource Monitoring Center under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Son La Province, has been appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer rank (rank code 14.257) with grade 5/9 and salary coefficient 3.66 since January 1, 2013. Now, Ms. Dang Thi A meets the conditions and criteria and is appointed by the competent authority to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III (code V.06.05.14) occupational title, she will be assigned grade 5/9 and salary coefficient 3.66 of the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer III occupational title from the date the decision takes effect; the time for the next salary grade increase will be calculated from January 1, 2013.

b) In cases where civil servants in the field of environmental resource monitoring have an associate degree and are currently receiving salaries at type A0 civil servants as prescribed in Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP, now being appointed to the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV (code V.06.05.15) occupational title, the salary determination shall be based on the time of compulsory social insurance contributions according to the state-prescribed wage scale (excluding the probation period), as follows:

- Starting from grade 2 of the Environmental Resource Monitoring Officer IV occupational title, every two years (24 months) thereafter, they will be promoted to the next salary grade (if there are gaps in employment that have not been compensated through social insurance benefits, these periods can be accumulated); if during the employment 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 grade increase regulations.

- After transferring to the pay grade for the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV as mentioned above, if the salary coefficient assigned to the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV plus any seniority allowance exceeding the ceiling (if applicable) is lower than the current salary coefficient being 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 environmental resource monitoring officer position 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 newly appointed position upon promotion, and the retention of the difference coefficient shall cease from the date the new position's salary takes effect.

Example 2: Mr. Tran Van B, who graduated from a college specializing in environmental engineering technology, was recruited to work at the Environmental Resource Monitoring and Technology Center under the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Binh Duong Province, and has been contributing to social insurance since January 1, 2008. He currently holds the rank of associate degree-level environmental resource monitoring officer (rank code 14.258), grade 3/10, with a salary coefficient of 2.72 for type A0 civil servants as of July 1, 2014; during his tenure, he has consistently fulfilled his assigned tasks without any disciplinary actions. Now that Mr. Tran Van B meets the criteria and has been authorized by the competent authority to be appointed to the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV (code V.06.05.15), he will be assigned the following grade and salary coefficient:

- Mr. Tran Van B's period of service began on January 1, 2008, excluding the six-month probationary period, starting from grade 2 of the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV, and every two years advancing one grade, so by July 1, 2014, Mr. Tran Van B would be assigned to grade 5/12, with a salary coefficient of 2.66 for the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV from the effective date of the decision; the next salary increment review point will be calculated from July 1, 2014; concurrently, Mr. Tran Van B will enjoy a retention difference coefficient of 0.06 (2.72 - 2.66).

- By July 1, 2016 (after two years), if Mr. Tran Van B meets the conditions and standards, the competent authority may promote him to grade 6/12, with a salary coefficient of 2.86 for the environmental resource monitoring officer position at level IV, and continue to enjoy the retention difference coefficient of 0.06 (total salary coefficient to be enjoyed is 2.92).

4. Civil servants in the environmental resource monitoring field who achieve the results of the examination or meet the criteria for promotion and are appointed by the competent authority to a higher adjacent position in the environmental resource monitoring field shall have their salary assignment carried out 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 the assignment of salaries when upgrading ranks, transferring ranks, or changing types of civil servants.

Chapter IV

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 10. Application Provisions

1. For civil servants currently holding the position of初级级环境资源监测员 (code 14.260) as stipulated in Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT and Circular Joint No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV shall continue to apply the grade and salary coefficient of Category C, Group 1 (C1) of the Salary Table for Professional and Technical Staff in State-owned Public Institutions (Table 3) issued together with Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP.

2. Authorities and units responsible for managing and using civil servants shall create conditions for civil servants to supplement the remaining criteria of the professional title of environmental resource monitoring staff as prescribed in this Circular for those who have been transferred to the corresponding positions and salaries or appointed to the positions of environmental resource monitoring staff according to Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT and Circular Joint No. 30/2010/TTLT-BTNMT-BNV.

Article 11. Implementation Organization

1. This Circular serves as the basis for implementing the recruitment, utilization, and management of environmental resource monitoring staff in public institutions.

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

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

b) Appoint the professional title of environmental resource monitoring staff according to the authority or delegated authority after the transfer plan has been approved by the competent authority.

4. The head of subordinate agencies, departments equivalent to ministries, government agencies, provincial people's committees, and centrally-administered city people's committees shall be responsible for:

b) Appoint the professional title of environmental resource monitoring staff according to the authority or delegated authority after the transfer plan has been approved by the competent authority.

5. Ministries, departments equivalent to ministries, provincial people's committees, and centrally-administered city people's committees shall be responsible for:

a) Directing subordinate agencies and departments under their jurisdiction to implement the transfer of professional titles;

c) Appointing the professional title of environmental resource monitoring staff according to their authority;

d) Annually reporting the results of appointing professional titles and grading salaries for environmental resource monitoring staff under their jurisdiction to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Article 12. Effective Date

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

2. Abolish the provisions on the titles and codes of positions for environmental resource monitoring staff 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 positions in the environmental resources sector.

3. Abolish the provisions on the professional standards for positions of environmental resource monitoring staff in Decision No. 07/2008/QĐ-BTNMT dated October 6, 2008, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment concerning the issuance of professional standards for positions in the environmental resources sector.

4. Abolish the provisions on guidance for transferring positions and grading salaries for environmental resource monitoring staff in Circular Joint 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 concerning guidance for transferring positions and grading salaries for staff in the environmental resources sector.

Article 13. Responsibility for Implementation

1. The Minister, head of a department equivalent to a ministry; head of a government agency, Chairman of a provincial people's committee, or centrally-administered city people's committee shall be responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. In case of difficulties during implementation, please report to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consolidation and coordination with the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine and resolve.