Course Description

A 5 day training program focusing on the General Schedule, this training program provides participants with a comprehensive knowledge of fundamental polices, practices, principles, and complex issues addressed in the area of position classification. Topics covered include, the structure and operation of the General Schedule System; the General Schedule Supervisory and General Schedule Leader Guides; development and preparation of position descriptions and evaluation statements; application of various job family standards and classification guides; the classification of mixed series and grade positions; and conduct of desk audits. The course provides foundational knowledge required of today’s successful human resources practitioner.

Objectives

• Discuss the Nature of Job Evaluation
• Describe the Structure and Operation of the General Schedule System
• Select and Apply GS Narrative and FES Classification Standards
• Use a Variety of Methods for Occupational and Job Data Collection
• Structure and Critique a Job Audit
• Prepare Position Descriptions in a Variety of Formats
• Prepare Evaluation Statements for a Variety of Situations
• Describe the Classification Appeals Process
• Classify Mixed Positions, Using a Variety of Classification Standards and Guides
• Select and Apply Job-Grading Standards Using the Federal Wage System

Agenda/Outline -5 day

Day 1 of 5

• Introduction to Position Classification in the Federal Government
• Legal framework and regulatory basis
• Current Structure of the General Schedule System
• Components of the General Schedule System
• Position Management and its role in Position Classification
• Definition of Position Management
• The Role of Supervisors in Organization Design and Position Management
• Position Management as it Relates to Other Staff Functions
• General Schedule System – Narrative Standards
• Narrative Classification Standards
• Format of General Schedule Classification Standards
• Classifying Positions Using Narrative Standards/Guides

Day 2 of 5

• General Schedule System – Factor Evaluation System
• Tools of the FES
• FES Classification Standards
• FES Classification Process
• Classifying Positions Using FES Standards/Guides

Day 3 of 5

• General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide
• Distinction Between Managers, Supervisors and Leaders
• Criteria for Leader Positions
• Overview of GSLGEG
• Application of GSLGEG
• General Schedule Supervisory Guide
• Overview of GSSG
• Application of the GSSG

Day 4 of 5

• Mixed Series/Grade Position and Positions for Which There are no Applicable Classification Standards
• Rules and Guidance for Classifying Mixed Series/Grade Positions
• Procedures for Classifying Position for Which There are no Applicable Classification Standards
• Writing Position Descriptions/Evaluation Statements
• OPM’s requirements
• Who writes position descriptions
• Contents of a position description
• Purpose of evaluation statements
• Formats and contents of evaluation statements

Day 5 of 5

• Classification Appeals
• What Can and Cannot be Addressed in a Classification Appeal
• The Classification Appeal Process
• Desk Audits/Information Gathering
• How to Prepare and Conduct a Desk Audit
• Federal Wage System
• Overview of the Federal Wage System
• The Approach to Classifying Jobs in the Federal Wage System

Who should attend

Human Resource Specialists or others who have been Delegated Position Classification Authority.