SECTION 3.45 CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE

Last Update: 9/03

A job class consists of one or more positions assigned to the same job title and pay grade because they are similar in duties, responsibilities, and minimum qualifications. Several levels of like classes may be arranged to constitute a class series.

There are approximately 750 job classes used by the State that make up the State's Classification System. Changes to this structure include the establishment, deletion, or revision of a job class or series. These changes may be needed due to new or discontinued programs, changing needs and priorities, organizational or job structure changes, etc.

Classification structure changes may be initiated by the agency or the DAS-HRE. Structure changes require approval from the DAS-HRE. Because structure changes often necessitate a lengthy classification study, the need for the change should be carefully evaluated and documented as part of the Service Agreement process. This allows the agency and the DAS-HRE to weigh the change request against other needs and priorities. If a classification study is undertaken, it will often involve supervisors and employees in the affected job classes.

New Classes

Pay grades for new classes are approved by the DAS-HRE. However, the Department of Management must authorize that funds are available to implement the change. Agencies are asked for input. If the class is covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the pay grade must be negotiated. A job evaluation instrument is used to compare classes and the resulting job evaluation point totals used to determine pay grade assignments.

Existing Classes

Pay grade changes for existing classes covered by a collective bargaining agreement are typically handled through the contract negotiation process or through legislative mandate.

Pay grade changes for existing noncontract classes are handled in the same manner as the establishment of a pay grade for a new class. Agencies may initiate these pay grade change requests as part of the Service Agreement process and are expected to provide supporting justification in writing to the DAS-HRE.

Points to be covered in the justification, as documented on the Pay Grade Study Questionnaire (CFN 552-0671), include but are not limited to:

· The recommended salary and pay grade for the class.

· Recruitment or retention problems due to the current pay grade.

· Information regarding the salary of comparable positions in other states and private industry.

· Factors which have caused the job to change or become more complex, suggesting the need for a higher pay grade.

· Existing pay compaction problems due to the current pay grade.