Position Classification and Evaluation
Overview
We partner with agencies to assess how positions are currently structured, managed, and aligned to mission needs. Our team evaluates the effectiveness of your existing position management approach and helps you build a framework that improves organizational efficiency, consistency, and cost‑effectiveness.
Align your workforce
As agencies modernize and respond to evolving mission needs, accurate and strategic position classification has become essential. Federal leaders play a decisive role in shaping organizational effectiveness, ensuring that structures, roles, and resources fully support mission delivery. OPM provides an independent, government‑wide perspective to strengthen position management and classification decisions. Through this partnership, agencies can align their workforce to mission priorities while responsibly stewarding taxpayer resources.Position classification services
Our position classification services include:
- Implement updated OPM classification standards and align existing positions accordingly.
- Position reviews to ensure organizational consistency.
- Recommend workforce and position management improvements that support mission priorities.
As part of the classification process, we can provide an independent, third‑party analysis of encumbered positions to ensure accuracy and defensibility. Our process includes:
Information gathering
- Developing targeted interview questions in survey or interview format
- Conducting interviews with incumbents, supervisors, and subject matter experts
- Reviewing work samples, organizational charts, and documents that illustrate the level and nature of work performed
Standards-based evaluation
We compare audit information with:
- Applicable OPM position classification standards
- Relevant appeals decisions
- Agency‑specific classification criteria
- Findings from broader organizational assessments
Final determination
Based on this analysis, we determine the appropriate title, series, and grade and provide a detailed evaluation statement documenting the rationale for the recommended classification decision.
In a comprehensive position management review, we examine:
- Position structure and distribution — Analysis of types, grades, and staffing levels compared to organizational functions and workload demands.
- Position description accuracy — Review of PDs for clarity, accuracy, and compliance with OPM classification standards.
- Supervisory structure — Calculation of supervisory ratios and assessment of organizational layers.
- Career progression — Evaluation of career paths, career ladders, and opportunities for growth.
- Workforce composition — Assessment of balance between mission‑oriented roles and support positions to identify optimization opportunities.
Following the assessment, you will receive a written analysis of findings and tailored recommendations to strengthen organizational alignment, improve efficiency, and support cost‑effective workforce decisions.
- Develop new, accurate position descriptions that clearly reflect duties, qualifications, and organizational needs.
- Update existing PDs to capture evolving responsibilities.
- Create standardized PD libraries to improve consistency.
- Comprehensive classification reviews and desk audits.
- Evaluation statements recommending appropriate title, series, and grade supported by clear, defensible rationale.
- Incumbent interviews and organizational analysis to validate work performed.