The Classifiers Handbook serves as a key reference for HR specialists and classifiers navigating federal position classification. It provides in-depth guidance on the Factor Evaluation System (FES), offering objective tools to analyze and assign appropriate grade levels to General Schedule positions.
Key Insights
- OPM’s Classifiers Handbook is a technical resource designed specifically for federal HR specialists, emphasizing the importance of understanding its structure, particularly the Table of Contents and Chapter 2.
- The Factor Evaluation System (FES) introduced in the handbook uses a nine-factor model with quantifiable criteria to replace the previous narrative classification approach.
- Factor Level Relationship tables help classifiers assess grade levels across professional, administrative, technical, and clerical roles, but are intended only as validation tools, not as the sole basis for classification decisions.
This lesson is a preview from our Intermediate Position Classification Course. Enroll in a course for detailed lessons, live instructor support, and project-based training.
The next handbook we're going to look at is the classifiers handbook. In the classifiers' handbook, OPM issued it exclusively for classifiers and other HR specialists. It is more technical than the introduction to the position classification standards.
It is going to be the classifier's go-to guide for all things classification. The go-to guide for all things classification. And so you want to familiarize yourself always with the Table of Contents.
And so when you familiarize yourself with the Table of Contents, it makes it easier for you to find the information that you're looking for. And so I want you to look at Chapter 2, the Factor Evaluation System. It discusses the structure of the FES system.
And so we know that the FES system, or the Factor Evaluation System, is the nine-factor system used to classify general schedule positions. When OPM established the FES system, it was also to replace the narrative system, which is very subjective. And so this FES system is a process that is more objective and more quantifiable using factor-level descriptions and point values.
And so this section also covers the sub-factors within the Factor Evaluation System. These sub-factors are critical, and OPM's FES classification standards are written to address each sub-factor as well. And so doing this will simplify your ability to classify these positions.
And so also in Chapter 2 is the Factor Evaluation System, the Factor Level Relationship. These Factor Level Relationship tables, there are four of them, encompass a guide or logic to how the factor levels are described. And so there's a table for professional, administrative, technical, and clerical work categories.
And so remember we talked about the PACTO categories, P-A-T-C-O. The Factor Level Relationship tables give you a logical display of what the grade levels are for those particular factor levels for those grades in those particular categories. And so I want you to study those Factor Relationship tables to get a general idea.
And so I want to put a note right here that those Factor Level Relationship tables are to be used as a guide for classifiers to validate or double-check their assignment of factor level descriptions. It is not to be used exclusively to classify positions. You are not able to justify as a classifier; you're not able to justify your decisions if you just use the Factor Level Relationship tables to classify a position.
And so I want you to understand again, I may be sounding repetitive, that it is the logical knowledge and skills required for those nine factors for a particular grade level. It is not to be used to classify positions, only to check your work, and only to help you when you're stuck on deciding between one factor level or another. All right?
