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

Evaluate positions on a factor-by-factor basis using the factor level descriptions (FLDs) provided in this standard.  Compare each factor in the position description to the appropriate FLDs and illustrations.   If the factor information in the position description fully matches an FLD for the series, you may assign the level without reviewing the illustrations.   FLDs are progressive or cumulative in nature.  For example, each FLD for Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the Position encompasses the knowledge and skills identified at the previous level.  Use only designated point values.  Record the results of your analysis on the Position Evaluation Summary form on the next page.  Convert total points for all factors to grade levels using the grade conversion table that follows the FLDs.

The grading criteria in this standard provide occupation-specific illustrations as a frame of reference for applying factor level concepts.   Do not rely solely on the illustrations in evaluating positions, because they reflect a limited range of actual work examples.  Use the illustrations to gain insights into the meaning of the grading criteria in the FLDs.   Consider each illustration in its entirety and in conjunction with the FLDs in your analysis, and do not merely use a selected portion of an illustration taken out of context as evidence of a match.  The level of work described in some illustrations may be higher than the threshold for a particular factor level.   If the factor information in the position description you are evaluating fails to fully match a relevant illustration, but does fully match the FLD, you may still assign the level.

The FLDs in this standard cover nonsupervisory positions at grades GS-5 through GS-12.  Evaluate supervisory and leader positions by applying the appropriate guide.  Evaluate managerial positions in the GS-1601, GS-1630, and GS-1654 series using the appendices at the end of this job family standard.

You will find more complete instructions for evaluating positions in the following OPM publications:  Introduction to the Position Classification Standards [571 kb] and The Classifier’s Handbook. [339 kb]