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Job Family Position Classification Standard for Administrative Work
in the Equipment, Facilities, and Services Group, GS-1600
May 2003
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Page 32 of 32

Appendix M3 – Managerial Work in the
Printing Services Series, GS-1654

Printing Services, GS-1654

 Qualification Standards

Definition of Managerial Work

Managerial Responsibilities in the Printing Services Series, GS-1654

There are two types of managerial; i.e., printing officer, positions in this series.  They are:

    • Type A – Responsible for management of a printing production plant.
    • Type B – Responsible for management of a program.

Type A – The level of Type A printing officer positions is based on the complexities of managing the printing production plant and providing printing services and, where appropriate, the complexities of the printing procurement.   These complexities are:

    • level of work performed by General Schedule subordinates;
    • size of the printing production plant in terms of Federal Wage System staff;
    • variety and complexity of equipment;
    • variety of printing services provided;
    • problems resulting from geographical dispersion of users and contractor printing sources; and
    • other factors such as unusual responsibilities and authorities.

In evaluating a printing officer position it is important to determine that the overall characteristics of the position meet the overall characteristics of the grade level as described in this appendix.

Special Classification Recognition

When all of the other requirements of the grade level concerned have been met, and it is found that a position has additional responsibilities, the Type A printing officer position may be classified one grade higher if it has at least one of the following two responsibilities and authorities:

    1. The printing plant regularly services a wide variety of independent installations (e.g., 10-15), inside and outside the department.   Each plant has different functions, difficult scheduling problems, personal contact problems, and a significant need for educating activity personnel in printing techniques and formats, relative costs, controlling policies and regulations, and the procedural and specification requirements for requesting printing services.


    2. The printing officers have authority to make final determinations, overruling subject-matter organizations, if necessary, on the type of printing to be used, on matters of form as related to printing techniques, on priorities and scheduling, and on outside contracting versus printing in their own plant.  These decisions must go beyond the areas in which regulations are controlling and must involve the use of discretion, judgment and technical knowledge.

Type B – The level of Type B printing officer positions is based on the complexity of the printing program that is reflected in terms of the following:

    • degree of responsibility for establishing printing policy and procedures;
    • the extent to which management officials consult the printing officer, and the extent of consideration of printing requirements in the organization’s planning of functional programs;
    • scope of negotiations with the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP) to obtain approval of equipment for printing plants, obtain acceptance of new equipment and processes, justify printing as legally authorized, support and justify printing reports, obtain approval of changes to printing regulations, and meet such other requirements JCP may establish;
    • extent of responsibility of the printing officer as a member of interdepartmental or joint Government committees established to consider printing problems of mutual interest;
    • scope of a printing program that may serve organizational entities on a local basis, throughout the United States, or both in and outside the United States;
    • scope of responsibility for printing plants in subordinate organizational egments;
    • variety and complexity of printing services procured and sources from which obtained;
    • degree of complexity of contracts made with commercial printing firms; and
    • extent and level of other unusual responsibilities and authorities.

How To Use This Appendix To Evaluate Managerial Positions

  1. Study the position very carefully to ensure that it is appropriate for coverage by this appendix.


  2. Determine whether or not the position fully meets or exceeds the criteria of factor level 3-3b in the General Schedule Supervisory Guide [164 kb] (See Threshold Criteria below.)

    • If the position does not meet the Threshold Criteria, then this appendix does not apply.  Evaluate the position as a supervisor or a specialist using other criteria in the General Schedule Supervisory Guide, this job family standard, or other appropriate standards.
    • If the position does meet the Threshold Criteria, proceed to Step 3.

  3. Determine whether the Printing Officer is Type A or Type B.   (See Definition of Managerial Work above.)

Compare the position to the benchmarks to determine grade level.   For Type A, apply the grading criteria for the GS-13 level.  For Type B, apply the grading criteria for the GS-13, GS-14, and GS-15 grade levels, as appropriate.


Step 2 – Apply the Threshold Criteria

Threshold Criteria from the General Schedule Supervisory Guide [164 kb]

Factor 3-3b – Exercise all or nearly all of the delegated supervisory authorities and responsibilities described at Factor Level 3-2c (see below) of this factor and, in addition, at least eight of the following:

    1. using any of the following to direct, coordinate, or oversee work: supervisors, leaders, team chiefs, group coordinators, committee chairs, or comparable personnel; and/or providing similar oversight of contractors;
    2. exercising significant responsibilities in dealing with officials of other units or organizations, or in advising management officials of higher rank;
    3. assuring reasonable equity (among units, groups, teams, projects, etc.) of performance standards and rating techniques developed by subordinates or assuring comparable equity in the assessment by subordinates of the adequacy of contractor capabilities or of contractor completed work;
    4. direction of a program or major program segment with significant resources (e.g., one at a multimillion dollar level of annual resources);
    5. making decisions on work problems presented by subordinate supervisors, team leaders, or similar personnel, or by contractors;
    6. evaluating subordinate supervisors or leaders and serving as the reviewing official on evaluations of nonsupervisory employees rated by subordinate supervisors;
    7. making or approving selections for subordinate nonsupervisory positions;
    8. recommending selections for subordinate supervisory positions and for work leader, group leader, or project director positions responsible for coordinating the work of others, and similar positions;
    9. hearing and resolving group grievances or serious employee complaints;
    10. reviewing and approving serious disciplinary actions (e.g., suspensions) involving nonsupervisory subordinates;
    11. making decisions on nonroutine, costly, or controversial training needs and training requests related to employees of the unit;
    12. determining whether contractor performed work meets standards of adequacy necessary for authorization of payment;
    13. approving expenses comparable to within-grade increases, extensive overtime, and employee travel;
    14. recommending awards or bonuses for nonsupervisory personnel and changes in position classification, subject to approval by higher level officials, supervisors, or others; and/or
    15. finding and implementing ways to eliminate or reduce significant bottlenecks and barriers to production, promote team building, or improve business practices.

Factor 3-2c – Carry out at least three of the first four, and a total of six or more of the following ten authorities and responsibilities:

    1. plan work to be accomplished by subordinates, set and adjust short-term priorities, and prepare schedules for completion of work;
    2. assign work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the difficulty and requirements of assignments, and the capabilities of employees;
    3. evaluate work performance of subordinates;
    4. give advice, counsel, or instruction to employees on both work and administrative matters;
    5. interview candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions;
    6. hear and resolve complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher level supervisor or manager;
    7. effect minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases;
    8. identify developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training;
    9. find ways to improve production or increase the quality of the work directed; and/or
    10. develop performance standards.

Step 4 - Compare Position to Benchmark

Printing Officer, GS-13 – Type A

Nature and Variety of Work

The Type A printing officers at this level are typically responsible for management of a very large printing production plant who may, in addition, be responsible for procurement of printing from other sources.  The organizational segment served may have subject-matter organizations in several states requiring special procedures to provide effective service.  The printing officers must keep up to date on the printing requirements of the subject-matter organizations in order to provide the fastest and most economical services to them.

The need for continued education of users because of personnel turnover in the subject-matter organizations and because of geographical dispersion of users and contractor printing sources complicates the printing officer’s contacts with editors/writers.  Production scheduling and control of the quality of printing are difficult because of this dispersion.  The variety of printing processes for which costs must be separately allocated and the varying methods of obtaining reimbursement from customers with diverse accounting systems complicate billings.  These and similar complications typically result in the need for a number of General Schedule subordinates in grades GS-9, 11, and 12.   Rules and requirements limit operation of the printing service in terms of:

    1. equipment availability, and therefore what printed product can be produced; and
    2. what work will be obtained from commercial sources.

Supervision and Guidance Received

All aspects of the program are bound by the laws relating to printing and by the regulations of the Joint Committee on Printing (JCP).  In some matters the printing officers are bound by definitive controls, as, for example, those for obtaining new equipment specifically identified as requiring JCP approval to purchase.  However, printing officers must also achieve the maximum flexibility possible within these regulations.

In addition to the regulations of the JCP and statutory requirements, Office of Management and Budget directives, and rules and regulations of the General Accounting Office also bind the work of a printing organization.

Printing Officer, GS-13 – Type B

Type B printing officers are technically and administratively responsible for a printing program for a department or agency having a large printing requirement of a complexity as described below.

Printing officers formulate and issues printing policies, procedures, and controls affecting not only subject-matter organizations but also a few printing plants and/or duplicating facilities of the department.

Printing officers provide technical advice for these printing plants and/or duplicating facilities.  The printing officers also recommend to the JCP approval of establishment of new printing plants and/or duplicating facilities or the consolidation and elimination of current facilities.  They conduct studies to determine adequate personnel staffing patterns for the field plants, and the kind and quantity of equipment needed.  They review and make the final technical department determination as to whether requests by subordinate offices or subject-matter organizations for equipment (printing and/or duplicating) will be approved for submission to the JCP for final decision.

They are responsible for the review and approval of contracts for procurement of field printing, ensuring that proper and economical use of commercial printing facilities has been made.  They participate in policy decisions affecting the workload of the printing organization, advising management of regulatory and other requirements to be planned for in carrying out new projects.

In their participation, they serve as an authoritative source of advice on legal, regulatory, and procedural matters.

In their capacity as controller of the printing department, printing officers deal with high level members of the department in explaining the requirements for and appropriateness of the printing controls.

Printing Officer, GS-14 – Type B

Type B printing officers at this level are technically and administratively responsible for a very large and complex printing program for a department or agency, typically with printing facilities established in area offices throughout the United States.

NOTE:  The printing program of some departments or agencies may be so organized that there is no position at the department level providing policy direction and control for lower echelons, and positions similar to the above may operate at an echelon lower than the department or agency, i.e., bureau level.

Printing procurement is accomplished on a nationwide basis requiring a general knowledge of the capabilities of major commercial printing firms throughout the United States.  These printing officers assist the JCP on special printing projects.

Characteristically, the Type B printing officers are responsible for formulating and issuing printing policies and standards within the guidance and controls established by the JCP for management of printing production plants, for procurement of printing material and printing services, and for operation of an effective inspection and control program.

These printing officers are responsible for assuring the department's compliance with the legal and JCP's requirements relating to printing.   They represent their department to the JCP in obtaining approval for new projects, in negotiating exceptions and changes in regulations, and in obtaining approval of requests for equipment and new printing.

The size of the printing procurement program is such that it is a recognizable part of the production load of the Government Printing Office and frequently requires special production arrangements in order to meet department deadlines for programs requiring the printed matter.  There is a continuing full-time study of new equipment and processes, not only to meet the needs of the printing plants, but also to anticipate and be prepared to meet the department's forecasted functions.

These printing officers deal with high-level members of their departments and heads of bureaus in explaining the requirements and appropriateness of their printing program.  When new department programs, involving large expenses for printing, are under study, printing officers participate in the planning and provide to management officials the technical printing advice necessary for their guidance and planning.

Administrative, policy, and management controls are exercised by the representative of the head of the department who is responsible for administration, or for support or service functions.  The scope, limitations and objectives of the program are subject to approval, usually by the same person.  Supervisory control over the work is exercised through consultation, evaluation of the effectiveness of the printing program, and surveys and review of reports by the JCP and by other management support activities within the department.

Printing Officer, GS-15 – Type B

Type B printing officers at this level are technically and administratively responsible for a comprehensive printing program for one of the largest departments, with printing facilities established in area offices of the department both within and outside the United States.  As recognized experts on printing, they advise high-level management officials both within their department and in other departments and agencies on printing matters.   The JCP requests their advice on new developments in the printing field and may utilize their staff for special studies.  These printing officers represent their department on interdepartmental printing groups and serve on joint government committees to establish policies and procedures for the exchange of printed matter between governments.

Typically, the amount of the allotment for printing may be in the tens of millions of dollars.  The size of the printing procurement program is such that it has a significant impact on the production load of the Government Printing Office.   In addition, a large volume of printing is obtained from commercial sources under authority of GPO granted waivers and as field printing.  Controls over the position are similar to those described at the GS-14 level.

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