Vha Classification

Front 1

What three pieces of information does classificaiton determine for white collar positions?

Back 1

1. The Occupational Series
2. The Title of the position
3. The Grading criteria for positions classified under the General Schedule classificatio system.

Front 2

What are used to determine the grade of broad categories of Federal White Collar work classified under the General Schedule (GS) Classification system?

Back 2

Functional Guides

Front 3

Where are the classification standards codified?

Back 3

5 USC 51

Front 4

What does 5 USC 51 establish?

Back 4

1. Equal Pay for equal work
2. Definition of each grade in the General Schedule
3. Directs OPM to prepare classification standards

Front 5

What does 5 USC 51 direct that standards prepared by OPM do?

Back 5

1. Define classes of positions
2. Establish class titles
3. Develop a grading system for those classes

Front 6

What information is found in the Handbook of Occupational Groups and Families?

Back 6

The handbook of occupational groups and families provides the full occupational structure extablished by OPM for the General Schedule.

Front 7

This is the broadest subdivision of the classification system covered by Title 5. It includes a range of levels of difficulty and responsibilities for covered positions.

Back 7

General Schedule

Front 8

This is a major subdivision of the General Schedule, embracing a group of associated or related occupations. Usually ends in two zeros

Back 8

Occupational Group

Front 9

This is a subdivision of an occupational group consisting of positions similar to specialized line of work and qualification requirements. It is designated by a title and number.

Back 9

Series

Front 10

This is the numerical designation which identifies the range of difficulty and responsibility and level of qualification requirements of positions includes in the general schedule.

Back 10

Grade

Front 11

How should positions classified into the same schedule, series, and grade be treated?

Back 11

They should be treated alike in personnel processes such as testing, selection, transfer, and promotion.

Front 12

Define Position

Back 12

The duties and responsibilities which make up the work performed by the employee

Front 13

What is a position description?

Back 13

The official description of management's assignment of duties, responsibilities, and supervisory relationships to a position.

Front 14

These are issued by OPM to related the grade level definitions in title 5 to specific work situations and thereby provide the basis for assigning each position the appropriate tile, series, and grade.

Back 14

Classification Standard

Front 15

How long to published classification standards remain in affect?

Back 15

Until they are abolished and replaced.

Front 16

What is typcially found in a classification standard?

Back 16

1. A definition of the kind of work covered by the standard.
2. Background information
3. Official Titles
4. Criteria for determining proper grade levels.

Front 17

What are the three most common formats of classification?

Back 17

1. Narrative
2. Narrative Factor
3. Point Factor

Front 18

Standards the describe the nature of work and level of responsibility for each grade covered by the standard. Requires the user to look at work as a whole and select the most appropriate grade level.

Back 18

Narrative format of classification

Front 19

Standard describing covered work in terms of individual factors essential to determining the difficulty of assigned work. Requires the user to select the proper level for each factor to determine the overall grade

Back 19

Narrative Factor format of classification

Front 20

Describes work in terms of individual evaluation factors which are assigned points for different levels. Uses point/grade conversion table to detemine overall grade.

Back 20

Point Factor format of classification

Front 21

FES

Back 21

Factor evaluation system that uses factors with established point values.

Front 22

What are some of the characteristics common to all work that can be taken into consideration when classifying a position?

Back 22

1. The kinds of knowledge and skills required.
2. The degree of difficulty involved
3. The kind of supervision received
4. The nature of personal judgement required
5. The level and purpose of contacts with others
6. the impact of the work environment or inherent risks and hazards involved in the work

Front 23

What agency has overall responsibility to establish the basic policies and guidance regarding the classification system and monitor agency classification programs?

Back 23

OPM

Front 24

Who makes the final decisions on classification appeals filed by agencies and Federal employees?

Back 24

OPM

Front 25

What is the agency's responsibility as it referrs to classification?

Back 25

Agencies must administer a classification system, redelegate classificaiton authority, emphasize sound position management, and participate in helping OPM develop standards.

Front 26

Name some of the established purposes for development of a classification system?

Back 26

1. Broaden the range of backgrounds for initial entry into occupations
2. Remove artificial barrier between related occupations
3. Increase responsiveness to needs of management and of career patterns
4. Facilitate coordination or integration of classification practices
5. inprove greater use of different methods for evealuating the impact of individual contributions to the job

Front 27

GS 7-11

Back 27

Two grade interval pattern. Persons in these grades generall promote on a two grade at at time bases

Front 28

Summarize "Professional Work" as it pertains to classification

Back 28

1. Requires the exercicse of discreation, judgement, and personal responsibility in the application of knowledge
3. Typically this knowledge is gained through formal education leading to a four year degree or higher

Front 29

Summarize "Administrative Work" as it pertains to classification

Back 29

1. Apply knowledge of administrative analysis, theory, and principles in adapting practice to the unique requirements of a particular program
2. Does not require specialized experience leading to a degree but uses many of the types of skills typically gained through a college education.

Front 30

Summarize "Technical Work" as it pertains to classification

Back 30

1. Typically associated with and supportive of a professional or administrative field
2. Carry out tasks, methods, procedures, and/or computations that are laid out either in published or oral instructions and covered by established precedents or guidelines.

Front 31

Summarize "Clerical Work" as it pertains to classification

Back 31

1. Structured work in support of office, business, or fiscal operations.
2. Involves general office or program support duties such as preparing, receiving, reviewing, and verifying documents, processing transactions, etcetera.

Front 32

What is considered good position management?

Back 32

A carefully designed position structure which blends the skills and assignments of employees with the goal of successfully carrying out the organization's mission or program.

Front 33

Duties that represent the primary reason for the positions existence, and which govern the qualification requirements.

Back 33

Major Duties

Front 34

Minor Duties

Back 34

Though the opposite of Major duties, minor duties can have a major impact on series and grade levels and must be consdired when classifying a position.

Front 35

How do one time only or temporary duties affect the classificaiton of a position?

Back 35

They do not affect the series or grade level as long as they are not prolonged. If they become a regular part of the job, the job must be re-evaluated.

Front 36

How are duties classfied for positions that do not yet exist?

Back 36

Based on the projected duties proposed. This should be re-evaluated after the position has been filled for six months to ensure that the incumbant is performing the duties outlined in the description.