# AI for Federal HR Classification Course Canonical URL: ## Overview This one-day course introduces federal employees to the practical use of artificial intelligence in federal position classification. You will learn what AI is, how it works at a basic level, and how AI tools can support classification work by helping analyze position descriptions, identify duties and KSAs, suggest occupational series and grade levels, and improve consistency in classification decisions. The course includes demonstrations and hands-on activities that show how AI can be used to compare traditional and AI-assisted workflows, draft and refine position descriptions, and support classification research using official standards and guidance. Students should expect an applied, practice-oriented class focused on responsible use of AI in a federal HR setting. The course covers legal, ethical, privacy, and policy considerations, including human oversight, bias mitigation, transparency, and compliance with OPM standards and broader federal AI guidance. Throughout the course, you will review examples, participate in exercises and scenario-based discussions, evaluate AI-generated outputs, and develop an action plan for integrating AI tools into classification workflows in a way that is accurate, transparent, and aligned with federal requirements. No prior AI or technical background required. ## What you'll learn - Define artificial intelligence and its key concepts relevant to federal HR and position classification. - Explain how AI tools can be used across sectors for position classification and job analysis. - Identify legal, ethical, and policy considerations in applying AI to HR processes. - Demonstrate how to use AI-assisted tools to develop and analyze position descriptions and suggest occupational series/grades. - Apply AI-generated insights to improve accuracy and consistency in classification decisions. - Evaluate AI outputs to ensure compliance with OPM standards. - Develop an action plan for integrating AI solutions into classification workflows. - Analyze real-world scenarios to develop corrective actions and preventive measures that improve ongoing compliance. ## Curriculum #### Module 1: Introduction to AI in Federal HR - Identify common examples and everyday uses of AI. - Define what Artificial Intelligence (AI) is. - Explain, at a basic level, how AI works. - Apply this knowledge in the introductory exercise “Search vs AI.” #### Module 2: AI Applications in Position Classification - Explore how AI tools assist in reviewing and classifying federal position descriptions. - Traditional vs. AI-assisted classification workflows. - How AI reads and interprets duties, factors, and KSAs. - Demonstration of an AI model suggesting occupational series and grade levels. - Ensuring compliance with OPM classification standards. #### Module 3: Ethics, Oversight, and Legal Consideration for AI - Recognize ethical and legal responsibilities when using AI in federal HR processes. - Recognize data-privacy and confidentiality requirements when using AI. - OMB and OPM guidance on federal AI use. - Recognizing and mitigating bias in AI systems. - The role of human oversight in AI-supported decisions. #### Module 4: AI in Classification - Learn effective ways to phrase your chat when requesting a draft position description. - Identify and address any inconsistencies in the generated results. - Enhance your request through thoughtful refinement. - Evaluate and compare the factor levels within the position description. #### Module 5: Integrating AI Solutions Into a Classification Program - Assess current classification processes to identify areas where AI can improve accuracy, consistency, and efficiency. - Outline how AI-assisted tools will be selected, tested, and implemented, ensuring compliance with Office of Personnel Management (OPM) standards and federal HR policies. - Incorporate change management strategies, including training staff, addressing concerns, and gradually introducing new technologies to minimize disruption. - Emphasize stakeholder engagement by detailing methods to communicate with and involve HR professionals, managers, and employees throughout the process to ensure buy-in and successful adoption. - Use the action plan as a roadmap for transitioning to AI-enhanced classification workflows in a transparent, collaborative, and federally compliant manner. ## Schedule - May 29, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Jun 24, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Jul 15, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Aug 25, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Sep 22, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Oct 23, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Nov 17, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online - Dec 16, 2026 9:00am–4:30pm — Live Online ## Instructors ### Bruce Gay — Instructor Bruce is an engaging trainers and program manager who brings 25+ years practical experience to deliver effective and experiential training to students. Able to engage adult learners with a range of backgrounds and professional experiences. Successful at building effective stakeholder relationships and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams for solution delivery. Bruce has over 25 years of project and program management experience across multiple industries. He has a Masters degree from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Bruce currently runs his own freelance training and consulting business, helping project managers and team leaders improve their business skills, become better leaders, and achieve professional greatness. Bruce is a well-received speaker in the areas of design thinking, project management, cross-team collaboration, and AI tools for projects, and has presented at regional and international conferences. ### Steve Pesklo — Instructor Steve is an energetic trainer who focuses on applying technical concepts to everyday work practices. He is the founder and president of SoftLake Solutions, a company that specializes in providing data and AI applications to identify fraud for Internal Audit, Criminal Investigations, Forensic Accounting, Privacy, and Compliance. Steve brings a large amount of experience across multiple industries and government agencies. He is an expert in implementing large data analysis projects across the world, including Inland Revenue in the UK and Argentina, New Zealand, Africa and across Europe. Previously, he was the manager of Data Architecture and Data Services for a large mortgage company. He is a frequent speaker on data analytics and project management topics and speaks fluent German. He has been teaching at the Graduate School for over 10 years. Steve has an M.B.A. from the University of St. Thomas and a B.S. in Computer Science from California Lutheran University and the Universität Salzburg in Austria. He is certified as a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), Project Management Professional (PMP), and a Certified ScrumMaster (CSM). ### Brian Simms — Instructor Brian Simms is a seasoned educator and training leader with extensive experience developing and delivering innovative learning programs in project management and emerging technologies. Over the course of his career, he has designed adaptive learning models that combine instructor-led sessions, live online experiences, and self-paced study, ensuring professionals can access training in flexible and effective ways. His work has emphasized the integration of artificial intelligence into professional development, helping organizations and individuals understand how AI can be applied to solve real-world challenges in leadership, project execution, and decision-making. In addition to his instructional expertise, Brian has guided curriculum development, led large training initiatives, and advanced the use of collaboration tools that improve learner engagement and retention. His depth of experience and forward-looking perspective make him uniquely equipped to prepare federal professionals to navigate the complexities of data, project management, and the transformative potential of AI. ### Clarissa J. Corbin — Instructor Clarissa J. Corbin is an accomplished corporate trainer, project manager, and business consultant with over 25 years of experience designing and delivering impactful learning experiences. As President and CEO of Projections Training Solutions, she partners with federal agencies, private corporations, and international organizations to provide results-driven training in leadership, project management, business analysis, and emerging technologies. Clarissa has trained more than 10,000 professionals worldwide, serving clients such as the DoD, NASA, FEMA, Microsoft, Citibank, PNC Bank, Del Monte, and Symantec. Her expertise has taken her across the globe, leading initiatives in Singapore, China, Japan, South Korea, Africa, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, and St. Thomas, USVI. Known for her ability to engage diverse audiences and create interactive, high-impact sessions, Clarissa equips participants with practical solutions they can apply immediately. At Graduate School USA (GSUSA), Clarissa is regarded as one of the most versatile and trusted instructors. She teaches across multiple programs. She played a pivotal role in redesigning the flagship “Managing for Results” course, while also contributing to the development and review of numerous others. Her contributions have earned her two GSUSA Customer Excellence Awards and a two-year appointment to the GSUSA Instructor Advisory Council, underscoring her commitment to innovation, quality, and learner success. ### Natalya H. Bah — Instructor Natalya Bah has been a part-time instructor at the Graduate School USA for over fifteen years. Natalya teaches across multiple curricula, including Leadership and Management, Project Management, and Human Resources. She has created a curriculum for the school, including Change Management Workshops and project management courses. She has served as an action learning coach, instructor, and facilitator for government leadership programs in the Center for Leadership and Management. Natalya also provides self-assessments and dynamic team-building sessions on behalf of the Graduate School USA. Outside of Graduate School USA, Ms. Bah is a self-employed business owner providing executive coaching, training, and consulting services to the public and private sectors. She created the Define and Achieve Your Goals Process™ and is a certified Birkman Method© Consultant. She received her Master of Science degree in Project Management from George Washington University’s School of Business, where she served as a teaching assistant and received the Project Management Award. She is also a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). ### Michiel Pruijssers Michiel is a Principal Designer and Forward Deployed Engineer at Microsoft's Industry Solutions Engineering Division, where he partners with strategic enterprise customers to architect and ship production AI systems. With over 15 years of experience, he operates at the intersection of user research, design, engineering, and cloud architecture, anchored by deep expertise in machine learning. His career spans senior roles at Snorkel AI, Determined.ai, and earlier Microsoft teams behind foundational AI products including LUIS.ai, Azure Bot Service, and Azure Stack, where he led both customer discovery and platform design for some of the industry's most technically ambitious ML offerings. He pairs rigorous qualitative research with hands-on building, shipping his own production SaaS products in Python while also teaching students through cohort-based AI courses. His instruction is grounded in real practice: what it takes to design, build, and operate AI systems that actually hold up in the wild. ## Pricing **Tuition:** $899