U.S. Office of Personnel Management - Ensuring the Federal Government has an effective civilian workforce

NAVAL SEA SYSTEMS COMMAND
NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER
NAVAL UNDERSEA WARFARE CENTER

PERSONNEL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT
IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS

5 January 1998

(Selected Sections)

CHAPTER 3

PERSONNEL DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

BROAD BANDING CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

1. Introduction:The Warfare Centers' Personnel Demonstration Project classification system for "white collar" occupations features an abbreviated description approach. The basic concept involves combining the former fifteen General Schedule (GS) pay and classification levels into five to six broad bands under three different career paths. Generic level descriptors are used to reflect the nature and level of work assigned to each of the bands.These Level Descriptors replace the Office of Personnel Management Position Classification Standards and individual position descriptions. The classification system for positions covered by the Federal Wage System (FWS) and the Senior Level/Scientific and Technical (SL/ST) system remain unchanged.

2. Definitions:

1. Career Path:A broad classification category containing groups of occupations or professions which are sufficiently similar to warrant similar treatment in personnel and pay administration. The three career paths established under the Personnel Demonstration Project are Scientific and Engineering (ND), Administrative and Technical (NT), and General Support (NG). Table 1further defines these career paths and provides a breakdown of the occupational series coverage of each of the paths.
2. Series:The academic discipline of the employee or the occupational area (line of work) of the position. The series used in the Personnel Demonstration Project will be identical with existing Office of Personnel Management (OPM) occupational series as recognized in the OPM Position Classification System and OPM's Operating Manual for "Qualification Standards for General Schedule Positions".
3. Level:Work that is performed of sufficiently similar difficulty and responsibility and requiring sufficiently similar levels of qualifications as to warrant inclusion within a given broad band.
4. Level Descriptors: Level descriptors replace position descriptions and are similar in use. The descriptors consist of a one page narrative discussion of the type of work typically found at each of the bands. The descriptors are written in general narrative terms and are established to cover all "white collar" positions found in the two Warfare Centers. These level descriptors are used in lieu of individualized position descriptions.However, each position will also include a level descriptor addendum which allows some tailoring of the position to meet specific requirements. (see below)The level descriptors are provided in appendices A through C.Any subsequent proposed changes or additions to these descriptors must be forwarded to the Warfare Centers Executive Group for review and approval.
5. Level Descriptor Addendum: In addition to the narrative level descriptor, a one-page addendum is used to document specific information on individual positions. This additional information covers such things as knowledge, skills, and abilities required; areas of expertise or assigned programs; scientific and engineering functional code, hazardous working conditions; and, the Fair Labor Standards Act designation. A sample addendum which may be adapted to meet specific Division requirements is provided at the end of this chapter.
6. Specialty:The type of work in terms of product line, technical specialty, or special skill requirement. Although not required, specialty codes may be developed at the local Division level and used where needed to further differentiate types of work.
7. Titles:Generic position classification titles have been developed for use within the three career paths. In addition to these authorized titles,Divisions may develop more descriptive organizational titles for use on an informal, local basis. The following chart reflects authorized titles and the GS equivalency for each of the levels within the three career paths.

Scientific/Engineering (ND) Career Path

LEVEL	AUTHORIZED TITLES	GS EQUIVALENCY
LEVEL I	Student Trainee	GS 1-4
LEVEL II	Student Trainee Engineer Scientist	GS 5-8
LEVEL III	Engineer Scientist	GS 9-11
LEVEL IV	Engineer Scientist Supervisory Engineer Supervisory Scientist	GS 12-13
LEVEL V	Engineer Scientist Program Manager Manager	GS 14-15
LEVEL VI	OPM authorized titles will be used for ST/SL Positions	Senior Level (SL); Scientific/Technical (ST)




Administrative/Technical (NT) Career Path

LEVEL	AUTHORIZED TITLES	GS EQUIVALENCY
LEVEL I	Student Trainee (Administrative/Technical) Technician Aid	GS 1-4
LEVEL II	Student Trainee (Administrative/Technical) Student Trainee (Technician) Administrative/Technical Specialist Technician	GS 5-8
LEVEL III	Administrative/Technical Specialist Technician	GS 9-10
LEVEL IV	Administrative/Technical Specialist Technician Supervisory Administrative/Technical Specialist Supervisory Technician	GS 11-12
LEVEL V	Administrative /Technical Specialist Technician Supervisory Administrative/Technical Specialist Supervisory Technician	GS 13-14
LEVEL VI	Administrative/Technical Specialist Manager	GS 14-15

General Support (NG) Career Path

LEVEL	AUTHORIZED TITLES	GS EQUIVALENCY
LEVEL I	Student Trainee Assistant Security Guard Police Officer (Trainee) Fire Protection Specialist(Trainee)	GS 1-4
LEVEL II	Assistant Supervisory Assistant Supervisory Security Guard Police Officer Supervisory Police Officer Fire Protection Specialist	GS 5-6
LEVEL III	Assistant Supervisory Assistant Supervisory Police Officer Fire Protection Specialist	GS 7-8
LEVEL IV	Assistant Supervisory Assistant Police Officer Fire Protection Specialist	GS 9-10
LEVEL V	Assistant Supervisory Assistant Fire Protection Chief	GS 11-12

The classification title of Supervisor or Manager is used only in situations where the employee provides the full-range of supervision over subordinates. The definition and criteria for full-range of supervision is outlined in the General Schedule Supervisory Guide by the OPM, TS-123, April 1993.

8. Schedules:Schedules for Demonstration Project positions to replace the current General Schedule (GS) are as follows:

ND-Scientific and Engineering Career Path

NT-Administrative and Technical Career Path

NG-General Support Career Path

3. Classification Process:Under the Demonstration Project, managers, through review of the level descriptors and the requirements of the position, determine the formal classification of the position. Classification involves determining the appropriate career path, series, level, title, and, as appropriate,the functional and specialty codes for the position. The specific process to be used in classifying positions, including the level of classification authority, will be determined at the Warfare Center Division level.

4. Classification Flexibility:Within each of the broad bands,the descriptors have been designed to cover a range or level of difficulty, complexity, and scope of functions typically found in the research and development environment within the Naval Surface and the Naval Undersea Warfare Centers. Assignment of individual positions to a particular broad band and level descriptor should be based on consideration of the whole position to ensure the overall intent of the band has been met.

   Individual positions which are atypical or differ substantially from that found in the descriptors may be adjusted up or down to the next closest broad band to arrive at the classification decision which most closely represents the overall worth of the position. These differences may be found in such areas as the level of difficulty and responsibility, the scope of the functions, level of authority, or the range of qualifications (knowledge, skills, and abilities) required.

5. Classification Appeals:An employee may appeal the career path, series, or broad band level of his or her position at any time. When doing so, the employee must formally raise the areas of concern to the supervisors in the immediate chain of command. If an employee is not satisfied with the supervisory response, he or she may then appeal to the DOD appellate level via the employee’s chain of command and the Warfare Centers’ Demonstration Project Office. Only after DOD has rendered a decision under the provisions of this demonstration project, may an employee file an appeal with the Office of Personnel Management. Appellate decisions from OPM are final and binding on all administrative, certifying, payroll, disbursing, and accounting officials of the Government. Time periods for case processing under Title 5 apply.

An employee may not appeal the demonstration project classification criteria,the accuracy of the level descriptor, or the pay setting criteria; the assignment of occupational series to an career path; the title of a position; the propriety of a salary schedule; or matters grievable under an administrative or negotiated grievance procedure or an alternative dispute resolution procedure.

The evaluation of a classification appeal under this demonstration project is based upon the demonstration project classification criteria. Case files will be forwarded for adjudication through the servicing human resources organization and will include copies of the employee’s level descriptor,the addendum, and a copy of the Warfare Centers’s classification criteria along with other documents or information required by the Office of Personnel Management.

1. Scientific and Engineering (ND) Career Path: professional engineering positions; those in the physical, biological, mathematical, and computer sciences; and student positions for training in these disciplines.

0401	0403	0408	0440	0460	0471	0499	0801	0803	0804
0806	0807	0808	0810	0819	0830	0840	0850	0854	0855
0861	0871	0892	0893	0894	0896	0899	1301	1306	1310
1313	1320	1321	1330	1350	1360	1372	1386	1399	1515
1520	1529	1530	1550	1599

 

Administrative and Technical (NT) Career Path:professional or specialist positions in such administrative, technical, and managerial fields as finance, procurement, human resources, computer, legal, librarianship, public information, safety,social sciences, and program management and analysis; technician positions that support scientific and engineering activities through the application of various skills and techniques in electrical, mechanical, physical science, biology, and mathematics fields; and student trainee positions for training in these disciplines.

0018	0020	0028	0080	0099	0101	0110	0132	0170	0180
0185	0187	0188	0201	0205	0212	0221	0230	0233	0235
0260	0299	0301	0334	0340	0341	0342	0343	0346	0391
0399	0501	0505	0510	0560	0599	0602	0610	0690	0802
0809	0818	0856	0895	0899	0905	0950	0962	1001	1010
1015	1016	1020	1035	1060	1071	1082	1083	1084	1101
1102	1103	1104	1150	1152	1173	1176	1199	1222	1311
1410	1412	1420	1521	1601	1540	1654	1670	1701	1710
1712	1810	1811	1910	2001	2003	2010	2030	2032	2050
2101	2130	2150	2181

Table 1


2. General Support (NG) Career Path:assistant and clerical positions providing support in such fields as budget, finance, supply, human resources; positions providing support through the application of typing, clerical, or secretarial knowledges and skills; positions providing specialized facilities support such as guard, police officers, and firefighters; and student positions for training in these disciplines.

   0019	0029	0081	0083	0085	0086	0134	0186	0189	0203
   0204	0303	0304	0305	0318	0322	0326	0332	0335	0344
   0350	0351	0356	0361	0382	0390	0392	0394	0399	0462
   0503	0525	0530	0540	0544	0561	0640	0647	0675	0679
   0698	0945	0986	1087	1105	1106	1107	1411	1531	1702
   2005	2102	2131	2135

APPENDIX A -

STANDARD LEVEL DESCRIPTOR ADDENDUM

CAREER PATH__________ BAND LEVEL________LEVEL DESCRIPTOR NUMBER ____________________

TITLE_______________________________________________________________________________________

SERIES: _____________________ POSITION SENSITIVITY: _______________________________________

ORG CODE:__________________________ DUTY STAT: ___________________________________________

Drug Test Required? (Testing Designated Position (TDP)):Y or N

Financial Disclosure Statement (SF 450) Required?: Y or N

Full Performance Level (FPL):________________________

ENGINEERING/SCIENTIFIC/PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINES:________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

SPECIALITY CODE/AREA (e.g., Fiber Optics) _____________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

ASSIGNED PROGRAM/PROJECT AREA: ________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES):

General: ______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Technical:________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Physical: ______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________

HAZARDOUS DUTY:Incumbent is regularly exposed to the hazard of __________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________.

However, the hazard is reduced through the use of standard operating procedures and/or

safety equipment.

I CERTIFY THAT THIS IS AN ACCURATE STATEMENT OF THE MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THIS POSITION AND ITS ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS, AND THAT THE POSITION IS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT GOVERNMENT FUNCTIONS FOR WHICH I AM RESPONSIBLE. THIS CERTIFICATION IS MADE WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS INFORMATION IS TO BE USED FOR STATUTORY PURPOSES RELATING TO APPOINTMENT AND PAYMENT OF PUBLIC FUNDS, AND THAT FALSE OR MISLEADING STATEMENTS MAY CONSTITUTE VIOLATIONS OF SUCH STATUTES OR THEIR IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS.

____________________________________________________________

Supervisor's Signature Date

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TO BE COMPLETED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT

PD NO.____________________ DATE EST.:____________ SUPV/MGL CODE:_____FUNC CODE:________

FLSA: __________________________________