Class Specifications
These are formal documents that describe in a useful way the types and levels of
jobs within the entire Classification Plan. Specifications have the force and effect of
law. They are representative and not restrictive in defining a class of positions. Classes
are ordinarily defined as broadly applying to occupational groupings, which subsume a
variety of different types of positions within the occupation for which the standard is
written. Levels of work within an occupation are defined as a series of class
specifications.
A written specification must be maintained for each class in the Classification Plan,
and only the official class title or its designated code number may be used on personnel
records to reflect the position classification. Each class specification, in addition to
the official title, consists of three parts: the Distinguishing Features of Work,
Illustrative Examples of Work, and Desirable Requirements.
- The Distinguishing Features of Work uniquely defines the class of positions apart
from all others in the plan. This section also defines those factors that are relevant in
evaluating the position in terms that are specific to the occupation. The opening
statement describes the level of supervision typically received by positions in the class
(which is also one of the eight criteria used in evaluating positions in our system).
Immediately following is a statement of the work or kinds of work that are characteristic
of the class type and level of work.
- The Illustrative Examples of Work offer statements that are characteristic of the
work activities performed at the class level defined. The work examples show the diversity
of tasks assigned to positions making up the class, and are sometimes used to describe how
typical types of jobs are defined by the class. When reading the class specification,
noting how these statements change from level to level offers insight into how work is
performed differently at different levels in allocation factor-level terms.
- The Desirable Requirements section is generally divided into three parts. They
describe the education, experience and skills necessary for an individual to have or
acquire prior to or during an appointment to a specific position within the class. Since
some positions are classified as trainee, they would require desirable knowledge or skill
that will have to be gained after appointment to the position. Since the class is a
composite of like positions and not all positions require exactly the same requirements,
this section is described as desirable. The official position description lists the
requirements for appointment. Note: Some classes do, however, mandate that all
employees in positions possess a special professional license or other minimum and will be
listed as such.
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