Job Family Position Classification Standard for Assistance Work in the Human Resources Management Group, GS-0200

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 1

Job Family Position Classification Standard for

Assistance Work in the Human Resources

Management Group, GS-0200

Series Covered by This Standard:

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................2

COVERAGE....................................................................................................................................................2

MODIFICATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS TO OTHER EXISTING OCCUPATIONAL SERIES AND

STANDARDS ............................................................................................................................................2

GENERAL SERIES, TITLING, AND OCCUPATIONAL GUIDANCE ................................................................3

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANCE, GS-0203 ..........................................................................................3

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ASSISTANT WORK AND SPECIALIST WORK ..............................................6

IMPACT OF AUTOMATION...........................................................................................................................6

CROSSWALK TO THE STANDARD OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION................................................7

EXCLUSIONS .....................................................................................................................................................8

HOW TO USE THIS STANDARD.......................................................................................................................9

POSITION EVALUATION SUMMARY .............................................................................................................10

FACTOR LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS...................................................................................................................11

FACTOR 1 - KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION.....................................................................11

FACTOR 2 - SUPERVISORY CONTROLS..................................................................................................15

FACTOR 3 - GUIDELINES...........................................................................................................................17

FACTOR 4 - COMPLEXITY..........................................................................................................................19

FACTOR 5 - SCOPE AND EFFECT.............................................................................................................21

FACTOR 6 – PERSONAL CONTACTS AND

FACTOR 7 -- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS..............................................................................................24

FACTOR 8 – PHYSICAL DEMANDS...........................................................................................................26

FACTOR 9 – WORK ENVIRONMENT .........................................................................................................26

GRADE CONVERSION TABLE .......................................................................................................................27

APPENDICES ...................................................................................................................................................28

APPENDIX F1 - FACTOR 1 ILLUSTRATIONS............................................................................................28

APPENDIX F4 - FACTOR 4 ILLUSTRATIONS............................................................................................39

APPENDIX F5 - FACTOR 5 ILLUSTRATIONS............................................................................................46

APPENDIX H - HISTORICAL RECORD AND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL ............................................50

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 2

INTRODUCTION

This job family standard provides series and specialty definitions, titling instructions, and grading

criteria for nonsupervisory one-grade interval administrative support positions in the Human

Resources Management Group, GS-0200.

COVERAGE

This job family standard covers the following occupational series:

Series

Human Resources Assistance GS-0203

MODIFICATIONS AND CANCELLATIONS TO OTHER EXISTING

OCCUPATIONAL SERIES AND STANDARDS

Issuance of this job family standard renames or cancels occupational series and classification

standards as described in the following table. The table also indicates how to classify work

previously covered by classification standards affected by this issuance.

Series Action Taken / How to Classify Work Previously Covered

Personnel Clerical

and Assistance

GS-0203

$ Cancels this classification standard, last revised in November 1985.

$ Renames this series

$ Classify work previously covered by this series to the Human

Resources Assistance Series, GS-0203

Military Personnel

Clerical and Technician

GS-0204

$ Cancels this classification standard, last revised in June 1967

$ Cancels this series

$ Classify work previously covered by this series to the Human

Resources Assistance Series, GS-0203.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 3

GENERAL SERIES, TITLING, AND OCCUPATIONAL GUIDANCE

This section provides information on series and specialty definitions, titling instructions, and

occupational guidance for nonsupervisory one-grade interval administrative support positions in the

Human Resources Management Group, GS-0200. It also provides information on titling instructions

for supervisors, leaders, and parenthetical specialties in this job family.

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANCE, GS-0203 Qualification Standard

Definition

This series covers one-grade interval administrative support positions that supervise, lead, or perform human

resources (HR) assistance work requiring substantial knowledge of civilian and/or military HR terminology,

requirements, procedures, operations, functions, and regulatory policy and procedural requirements

applicable to HR transactions. The work does not require the broad knowledge of Federal HR systems or the

depth of knowledge about HR concepts, principles, and techniques that are characteristic of the recognized

HR specialist positions in the Human Resources Management Series, GS-0201.

Titling

The basic title for this occupation is Human Resources Assistant. Use the basic title without a parenthetical

specialty title (see below) as the official position title for those positions that include two or more specialized

HR functions when none predominates or when there is no established specialty. However, if individual

circumstances dictate -

• you may use any combination of parenthetical specialty titles in official position titles; e.g., Human

Resources Assistant (Classification/Recruitment & Placement); and/or

• for specialties where the parenthetical title combines two functions (i.e., Recruitment & Placement and

Employee & Labor Relations), you may use single functions in official position titles; e.g., Human

Resources Assistant (Placement) or Human Resources Assistant (Labor Relations).

Supervisors and Leaders.

• Add the prefix "Supervisory" to the title of positions classified using the

General Schedule Supervisory

Guide.

• Add the prefix "Lead" to the title of positions classified using the

General Schedule Leader Grade

Evaluation Guide.

(continued)

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 4

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANCE, GS-0203 (continued)

Parenthetical Titles.

• Use the following parenthetical titles for specialties as defined:

Information Systems -

Work that primarily involves entering and extracting data from HR

information systems.

Military -

Work that involves support of military HR programs and functions.

Classification -

Work that involves support of position classification programs and functions.

Recruitment & Placement -

or Recruitment

or Placement

Work that involves support of recruitment, selection, placement, job

analysis, and workforce planning and analysis.

Employee Benefits -

Work that involves support of employee guidance and consultation to

agencies, employees, former employees, annuitants, survivors, and eligible

family members regarding retirement, insurance, health benefits, and injury

compensation.

Human Resource -

Development

Work that involves support of human resource development programs and

functions.

Performance Management -

Work that involves support of performance management programs and/or

employee awards programs.

Employee & Labor Relations

or Employee Relations

or Labor Relations

Work that involves support of employee relations programs in matters

related to conduct, performance, attendance, and dispute resolution; and/or

work involved in maintaining effective relationships with labor organizations

that represent Federal employees, negotiating and administering labor

agreements, and providing guidance and consultation to management on a

variety of labor relations matters.

Titling (continued)

Organizational Titles.

Use the official position titles as outlined above for human resources management, budget, and

fiscal purposes. This does not preclude continued use of organizational or functional titles for internal

administration, public convenience, program management, or similar purposes.

(continued)

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 5

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANCE, GS-0203 (continued)

Occupational Information

General Occupational Information.

Human resources (HR) assistants provide support for HR specialists involved in using HR information

systems; in delivering HR services to military personnel; and in classification, recruitment and placement,

employee benefits, human resource development, performance management, and employee and labor-

management relations. They work in HR offices, examining or job information centers or offices, or

administrative support offices. They process and document HR actions for a wide variety of employee

categories that involve different forms, different authorities, different action codes, and different regulatory

authorities, or additional pay systems. Examples of employee categories include:

• General Schedule;

• Federal Wage System;

• Senior Executive Service;

• Foreign Service;

• personnel covered by systems established under a demonstration project authority or other separate

statutory authority, such as title 38, United States Code;

• commissioned and enlisted personnel on active military duty and members of the Reserve and the

National Guard; and

• retirees, military dependents, or other similar categories.

Work within this series may require the HR assistant to perform one or more of the following:

• obtain missing data from HR files or the appropriate office;

• assist employees in preparing paperwork related to HR actions;

• review finished forms for completeness and adequacy;

• contact individual employees or supervisors by telephone to resolve questions before processing final

actions;

• provide information on HR systems, processes and procedures; and/or

• provide brochures, applications and other HR documents to employees.

HR assistants perform limited work within specialty areas requiring a practical knowledge of an HR

specialization. They may also perform work in two or more specialty areas. For example, an HR assistant

may do support work in both the classification specialty and the recruitment and placement specialty. HR

assistant duties in the military specialty area include support work in unique programs such as special

benefits in housing or education for veterans of recent conflicts or for their widows or orphans.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 6

DISTINCTIONS BETWEEN ASSISTANT WORK AND SPECIALIST WORK

It is not always easy to distinguish between assistant positions classified in one-grade interval administrative

support occupations and specialist positions classified in two-grade interval administrative occupations. Some

tasks are common to both types of occupations, particularly at the higher grade levels of administrative support

work and the lower, developmental grade levels of specialist work. To decide the proper occupational series,

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203 or Human Resources Management, GS-0201, consider the characteristics

and requirements of the work as well as management's intent in establishing the position. Is it:

• a position that management establishes to support and augment the work of a specialist; or

• a developmental position with clear progression to higher grade levels as a specialist based on progressively

more difficult assignments requiring the application of broad HR knowledge, concepts, and principles?

Although some HR assistant duties may be similar to those of HR specialist trainees, specialist trainees are in

temporary stages of development performing assignments requiring more judgment and analysis. HR assistant

duties are not designed to progress to HR specialist positions. They are designed to support the work of HR

specialists or the HR office.

Assistants have boundaries that narrowly restrict their work. In contrast, full-performance specialists use broad

HR management knowledge, concepts, and principles to perform a wide variety of work in one or more HR

specialty areas. Assistants use a limited variety of techniques, standards, or regulations. Problems they deal with

are recurring and have precedents. These limitations impact the breadth and depth of knowledge required, the

complexity of problem solving, the applicability of guidelines, and/or the closeness of supervisory controls.

IMPACT OF AUTOMATION

Automation greatly affects the way HR products and services are delivered. Managers can initiate and track

multiple actions, obtain up-to-date payroll data, generate ad hoc reports, and run these reports from their desks.

Such HR information systems development significantly impacts management and employee expectations about

timely and quality service. HR assistants are constantly challenged to learn and function effectively with

automation tools.

Although assistants use computers to perform basic work processes, knowledge of the rules and processes in an

HR office or pertaining to HR procedures remains the paramount subject matter knowledge required to perform

this work. The kind of automation tools involved and the skill required to use them generally replace or

supplement work methods and techniques previously performed through manual or machine enhanced processes.

Although computers are used to facilitate work within this occupation, the use of automation does not change the

primary purpose of the work in the HR occupation. Proper classification of positions within this and other

administrative support occupations is based on the relevant knowledge and skills required to perform the primary

- in this instance, HR-related - duties of the position.

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CROSSWALK TO THE STANDARD OCCUPATIONAL CLASSIFICATION

The Office of Management and Budget requires all Federal agencies that collect occupational data to use the

Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) system for statistical data reporting purposes. The Bureau of Labor

Statistics will use SOC codes for National Compensation Survey and other statistical reporting. The Office of

Personnel Management (OPM) and agencies will develop and maintain the "crosswalk" between the Federal

occupational series and the SOC codes to serve this need. These SOC codes and this requirement have no effect

on the administration of any Federal human resources management systems. The information contained in this

table is for information only and has no direct impact on the classification of positions covered by this job

family standard. The SOC codes shown here generally apply only to nonsupervisory positions in these

occupations. As changes occur to the SOC codes, OPM will update this table. More information about the SOC

is available at

http://stats.bls.gov/soc/.

Federal Occupational Series and Position Titles

and Their Related Standard Occupational Classification System Codes

Occupational

Series

Standard Occupational

Classification Code

Based on Occupational Series

Position

Title

Standard Occupational

Classification Code

Based on Position Title

Human Resources

Assistance, GS-0203

43-4161

Human Resources

Assistants,

Except Payroll

and

Timekeeping

Human Resources

Assistant

Human Resources

Assistant (Information

Systems)

Human Resources

Assistant (Military)

Human Resources

Assistant

(Classification)

Human Resources

Assistant (Recruitment

and Placement)

Human Resources

Assistant (Employee

Benefits)

Human Resources

Assistant (Human

Resource

Development)

Human Resources

Assistant

(Performance

Management)

Human Resources

Assistant (Labor

Relations)

43-4161

Human Resources

Assistants,

Except Payroll

and

Timekeeping

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

U. S. Office of Personnel Management 8

EXCLUSIONS

Although some positions may include professional and administrative work requiring some

knowledge and skills in the accounting and budget area, classification to a series in the Accounting

and Budget Group, GS-0500 may not be appropriate. The following table provides examples of

situations where work may involve the application of related knowledge and skills, but not to the

extent that it may warrant classification to a series in this job family.

NOTE: In the table below, job family standard is abbreviated as JFS.

If….

See This Standard or

Series Definition:

1. Work involves a broad knowledge of Federal HR systems and/or an in-depth knowledge of

the underlying concepts, principles, and techniques characteristic of one or more of the

recognized HR specialties.

JFS for Administrative Work in

the Human Resources

Management Group, GS-0200

2. Work involves posting, maintenance of files, typing, receptionist tasks, processing data

using personal computers, coding, and administration and scoring of tests without

responsibility for knowledge of civilian HR processes, procedures, and functions.

Appropriate standard or series

definition within the General

Administrative, Assistant, and

Office Services Group, GS-

0300

3. Work involves a practical knowledge of the methods, procedures, regulations, and purposes

of equal opportunity or civil rights programs.

GS-0361, Equal Opportunity

Assistance

4. Work involves duties that primarily require knowledge of payroll rules, regulations,

procedures, and functions.

JFS for Clerical and Technical

Accounting and Budget Work,

GS-0500C

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HOW TO USE THIS STANDARD

Evaluate positions on a factor-by-factor basis using the factor

level descriptions (FLDs) provided in this standard. Compare

each factor in the position description to the appropriate FLDs and

illustrations in the standard. If the factor information in the

position description fully matches an FLD for the series in the

standard, you may assign the level without reviewing the

illustrations. FLDs are progressive or cumulative in nature. For

example, each FLD for Factor 1 – Knowledge Required by the

Position encompasses the knowledge and skills identified at the

previous level. Use only designated point values. Record the

results of your analysis on the Position Evaluation Summary form

on the next page. Convert total points for all factors to grade

levels using the grade conversion table that follows the FLDs.

This standard provides occupation-specific illustrations as a

frame of reference for applying factor level concepts. Do not rely

solely on the illustrations in evaluating positions, because they

reflect a limited range of actual work examples. Use the

illustrations to gain insights into the meaning of the grading

criteria in the FLDs. Consider each illustration in its entirety and

in conjunction with the FLDs in your analysis, and do not merely

use a selected portion of an illustration taken out of context as

evidence of a match. The level of work described in some

illustrations may be higher than the threshold for a particular

factor level. If the factor information in the position description

you are evaluating fails to fully match a relevant illustration, but

does fully match the FLD, you may still assign the level.

The FLDs in this standard covers nonsupervisory positions at

grades GS-3 through GS-08. Evaluate supervisory and leader

positions by applying the appropriate guide.

You will find more complete instructions for evaluating positions

in the OPM publications:

Introduction to the Position

Classification Standards and The Classifier’s Handbook.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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POSITION EVALUATION SUMMARY

Organization __________________________________________________________

Position # _____________________________________________________________

Evaluation Factors

Factor Level

Used

(FL#, etc.)

Points Assigned Comments

1. Knowledge Required

by the Position

2. Supervisory Controls

3. Guidelines

4. Complexity

5. Scope and Effect

6/7. Personal Contacts

and Purpose of

Contacts

8. Physical Demands

9. Work Environment

Total Points

SUMMARY

Grade Conversion

Standards Used

Additional Remarks:

Title, Series, and Grade Assigned:

____________________________________________________________________

Date:

Agencies may copy for local use.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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FACTOR LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

FACTOR 1 - KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

Factor 1 measures the nature and extent of information or facts that an employee must understand to

do acceptable work (e.g., steps, procedures, practices, rules, policies, theories, principles, and

concepts) and the nature and extent of the skills necessary to apply that knowledge. You should only

select a factor level under this factor when the knowledge described is required and applied.

Note: In the tables below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Factor 1 illustrations are located in Appendix F1.

Level 1-2 200 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits)

(Information Systems) Illustration(s) (Human Resources

Development)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management)

(Classification)

(Employee & Labor Relations)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement)

FLD

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, basic human resources (HR) rules, procedures, and operations sufficient

to:

• accomplish routine support tasks within the HR office;

• provide routine information;

• complete civilian or military forms and applications for actions or benefits;

• request HR records from the records center;

• initiate HR actions;

• maintain files and/or employee records, position descriptions, training records, or other HR items; and

• use a personal computer, terminal, and office software programs to enter data, complete forms, and correct

errors and omissions in HR documents, files, and records, as needed.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-3 350 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems) Illustration(s) (Human Resources Development) Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations sufficient to:

• perform a full-range of support assignments;

• provide support to HR specialists involved in one or more specialties such as classification, employee

benefits, or military;

• use personal computers to prepare HR documents with complicated formatting, e.g., headers and footers;

and

• use personal computers and software programs in an office environment to extract, revise, or sort

information from files, records, or databases.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-4 550 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant

(Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems) Illustration(s) (Human Resources

Development)

Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor

Relations)

Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations sufficient to:

• perform a wide variety of interrelated and/or non-standard HR support work;

• plan, coordinate, develop facts and/or resolve support problems in one or more HR specialties;

• use personal computers with office applications to perform operations or to prepare complex documents

containing tables or graphs; and

• use online HR resources to obtain information accessible over the Internet, as needed.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-5 750 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems)

(Human Resources Development)

Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

sufficient to:

• carry out limited projects;

• analyze a variety of routine facts;

• research minor complaints or problems that are not readily understood; and

• summarize HR facts and issues.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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FACTOR 2 - SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

This factor covers the nature and extent of direct or indirect controls exercised by the supervisor or another

individual over the work performed, the employee’s responsibility, and the review of completed work. The

supervisor determines what information the employee needs to perform the assignments; e.g., instructions,

priorities, deadlines, objectives, and boundaries. The employee’s responsibility depends on the extent to

which the supervisor expects the employee to develop the sequence and timing of the various aspects of the

work, to modify or recommend modification of instructions, and to participate in establishing priorities and

defining objectives. The degree of review of completed work depends upon the nature and extent of the

review; e.g., close and detailed review of each phase of the assignment; detailed review of the completed

assignment; spot check of finished work for accuracy; or review only for adherence to policy. The primary

components of this factor are: How Work Is Assigned, Employee Responsibility, and How Work Is

Reviewed.

NOTE: In the tables below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Level 2-2 125 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

How Work Is Assigned – The supervisor or designated employee provides continuing assignments

indicating:

• generally what is to be done;

• data and required information;

• limitations;

• deadlines;

• quantities; and

• priorities.

The supervisor provides advice or additional specific instructions for difficult, new, or special assignments

including work methods.

Employee Responsibility – The employee:

• uses initiative and works independently within the framework established by the supervisor in carrying

out recurring assignments such as obtaining, inserting, and correcting missing and incorrect data in an

automated HR system;

• follows limited procedures or is controlled by readily applicable instructions that specifically describe

how the work is to be done and the kind of adaptations or exceptions that can be made; and

• refers specific problems not covered by the supervisor's instructions or standard operating procedures to

a supervisor or designated employee for assistance and/or a decision.

How Work Is Reviewed - The supervisor or designated employee reviews work to verify accuracy and

conformance to procedures and any special instructions. Recurring assignments are reviewed through quality

control procedures. Work products may be spot checked for accuracy. The supervisor closely reviews new

or difficult assignments such as pay changes or situations that have potential adverse impact.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 2-3 275 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

How Work Is Assigned – The supervisor makes assignments by:

• outlining or discussing issues, and

• defining objectives, priorities, and deadlines.

The supervisor provides assistance in unusual assignments that do not have clear precedents.

Employee Responsibility – The employee independently:

• plans the work;

• resolves problems;

• carries out successive steps of assignments;

• makes adjustments using established practices and procedures;

• recommends alternative actions to the supervisor;

• handles problems and/or deviations that arise in accordance with instructions, policies, and guidelines;

and

• refers new or controversial issues to the supervisor for direction.

How Work Is Reviewed - The supervisor reviews work products such as:

• job vacancy announcements;

• ranking factors identified for rating schedules;

• position descriptions;

• job evaluation statements;

• recommendations for disciplinary action; and

• draft policy statements

for technical soundness, appropriateness, and conformity to policies and requirements.

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FACTOR 3 - GUIDELINES

This factor covers the nature of guidelines and the judgment employees need to apply them.

Individual assignments may vary in the specificity, applicability, and availability of guidelines; thus,

the judgment employees use similarly varies. The existence of detailed plans and other instructions

may make innovation in planning and conducting work unnecessary or undesirable. However, in the

absence of guidance provided by prior agency experience with the task at hand or when objectives

are broadly stated, the employee may use considerable judgment in developing an approach or

planning the work. Here are examples of guidelines used in assistance work in the Human

Resources Management Group:

• Governmentwide human resources (HR) regulations and procedures (e.g., title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations,

OPM Operating Manuals)

• Administrative policies and locally developed guidance

• Employee benefit program requirements

• Position classification, job grading, and qualification standards

• Agency regulations and legislation covering program operations

• Automated HR program procedures

• Local policies, handbooks, and operating procedures

• Reference and coding manuals

Do not confuse guidelines with the knowledge described under Factor 1 - Knowledge Required by

the Position. Guidelines either provide reference data or impose certain constraints on applications.

For example, in some of the functional areas covered by this standard, there may be several

generally accepted methods of accomplishing work, perhaps set forth in an agency operating

manual. However, in a particular office, the policy may be to use only one of those methods; or the

policy may state specifically under what conditions the office may use each method. The primary

components of this factor are: Guidelines Used and Judgment Needed.

NOTE: In the tables below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Level 3-1 25 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

Guidelines Used - The employee uses detailed and specific guidelines, such as:

• oral and written directives,

• operating procedures,

• office policies,

• equipment operating manuals,

• style manuals, and

• other standard references.

Judgment Needed - The employee follows clear-cut steps outlined in the guidelines provided, such as:

• sorting documents into appropriate categories;

• entering routine data elements into a manual or automated system; and/or

• controlling the flow of specific documents.

The employee does not deviate from the outlined steps unless the supervisor or designated employee

authorizes it.

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Level 3-2 125 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

Guidelines Used - The employee uses a number of established, procedural guidelines, such as:

• work samples;

• references; and

• operating procedures and manuals.

Judgment Needed - The employee uses judgment in locating and selecting appropriate guidelines,

manuals, references, and procedures for application to specific cases. The employee refers significant

proposed deviations or situations to which existing guidelines cannot be applied to the supervisor or a

higher-grade co-worker.

Level 3-3 275 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

Guidelines Used -The employee uses guidelines that have gaps in specificity and are not applicable to all

work situations. Guidelines often lack specificity or are not completely applicable to the work requirements

or circumstances.

Judgment Needed - The employee selects the most appropriate guideline and decides how to complete the

various transactions. For example, this includes using judgment to:

• devise more efficient methods for procedural processing;

• gather and organize information for inquiries; and/or

• resolve problems referred by others.

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FACTOR 4 - COMPLEXITY

This factor covers the nature, number, variety, and intricacy of tasks, steps, processes, or methods

in the work performed; the difficulty in identifying what needs to be done; and the difficulty and

originality involved in performing the work. The primary components of this factor are: Nature of

Assignment, What Needs To Be Done, and Difficulty and Originality Involved.

NOTE: In the tables below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Factor 4 illustrations are in Appendix F4.

Level 4-2 75 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems) Illustration(s) (Human Resources Development) Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Nature of Assignment - Work consists of related steps, processes, and standard explanations of methods or

programs in a human resources (HR) function.

What Needs To Be Done - The employee:

• makes decisions on appropriate actions from various choices and differences among easily recognizable

situations, and

• uses information that is factual in nature.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - The employee:

• recognizes different processes required to assist customers and HR specialists, and

• acts or responds differently in factual ways depending upon the variety of organizations served, the variety

of positions filled, and similar factors.

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Level 4-3 150 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources

Assistant

Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems)

(Human Resources

Development)

Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment &

Placement)

Illustration(s)

FLD

Nature of Assignment - Work consists of different and unrelated steps in accomplishing HR assignments

and processes.

What Needs To Be Done - The employee:

• analyzes factual data, identifies the scope and nature of problems or issues, and

• determines the appropriate action from among many alternatives.

Difficulty and Originality Involved - The employee identifies and analyzes HR issues and/or problems -

• to determine their interrelationships, and

• to determine the appropriate methods and techniques needed to resolve them.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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FACTOR 5 - SCOPE AND EFFECT

This factor covers the relationship between the nature of work, i.e., the purpose, breadth and depth

of the assignment, and the effect of the work products or services both within and outside the

organization. Effect measures such things as whether the work output facilitates the work of others,

provides timely services of a personal nature, or impacts on the adequacy of research conclusions.

The concept of effect alone does not provide sufficient information to properly understand and

evaluate the impact of the position. The scope of the work completes the picture allowing

consistent evaluations. Only consider the effect of properly performed work. The primary

components of this factor are: Scope of the Work and Effect of the Work.

NOTE: In the tables below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Factor 5 illustrations are located in Appendix F5.

Level 5-1 25 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant Illustration(s) (Employee Benefits)

(Information Systems)

(Human Resources Development)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management)

(Classification)

(Employee & Labor Relations)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement)

FLD

Scope of the Work - Work involves repetitive or closely related tasks in support of a human resources (HR)

office such as completing forms, filing, and directing inquiries to the appropriate specialist. Work is also

designed to familiarize the employee with higher level duties.

Effect of the Work - Work facilitates the work of higher-grade employees within the immediate office. Work

contributes to the efficiency of the HR office, but has little or no impact beyond the office or HR organization.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 5-2 75 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant

(Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems) Illustration(s) (Human Resources Development) Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Scope of the Work - Work involves technical services and practices such as:

• screening job applicants on minimum qualifications for initial entry onto a competitor inventory; or

• verifying job content in establishing identical additional jobs.

Work also involves applying specific rules or procedures to complete actions in the HR organization.

Effect of the Work - Work affects the accuracy and reliability of further efforts to perform HR functions

within the organization. Work also affects the accuracy of employee records, pay, benefits, and other personnel

data maintained by the HR office.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 5-3 150 Points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Human Resources Assistant

(Employee Benefits) Illustration(s)

(Information Systems)

(Human Resources Development) Illustration(s)

(Military) Illustration(s) (Performance Management) Illustration(s)

(Classification) Illustration(s) (Employee & Labor Relations) Illustration(s)

Series/Specialties

(Recruitment & Placement) Illustration(s)

FLD

Scope of the Work - Work involves treating a variety of routine problems, questions, or situations within the

HR office. Work also involves resolving problems using established procedures such as:

• rating employees, in specific lower-grade jobs, for promotion on the basis of their relative abilities;

• ranking employees into categories;

• applying appropriate standards in determining the titles, grades, and series codes of lower-grade positions;

• counseling employees on a variety of minor disciplinary problems.

Effect of the Work - Work has a direct effect on the quality and adequacy of employee records, program

operations, and services provided through the HR office. Work also affects the social and economic well being

of persons serviced through the HR office.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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FACTOR 6 – PERSONAL CONTACTS

AND

FACTOR 7 -- PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

These factors include face-to-face and remote dialogue - e.g., telephone, email, and video-

conferences - with persons not in the supervisory chain. (NOTE: Personal contacts with

supervisors are under Factor 2 - Supervisory Controls.) The levels of these factors consider and

take into account what is required to make the initial contact, the difficulty of communicating with

those contacted, the setting in which the contact takes place, and the nature of the discourse. The

setting describes how well the employee and those contacted recognize their relative roles and

authorities. The nature of the discourse defines the reason for the communication and the context

or environment in which the communication takes place. For example, the reason for a

communication may be to exchange factual information or to negotiate. The communication may

take place in an environment of significant controversy and/or with people of differing viewpoints,

goals, and objectives.

Above the lowest levels, credit points under Factors 6 and 7 only for contacts that are essential for

successful performance of the work and that have a demonstrable impact on the difficulty and

responsibility of the work performed. Factors 6 and 7 are inter-dependent. Accordingly, use the

same personal contacts for selection of both the Factor 6 and the Factor 7 levels.

Determine the appropriate level for Personal Contacts and the corresponding level for Purpose of

Contacts. Obtain the point value for these factors from the intersection of the two levels as shown

on the

Point Assignment Chart at the end of this section.

PERSONAL CONTACTS

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Level 1

Other employees in the immediate office or related units. Limited contact with the general public.

Level 2

Employees and managers in the agency, both inside and outside the immediate office or related

units, as well as applicants, retirees, beneficiaries, and/or the general public, in moderately

structured settings. Contact with employees and managers may be from various levels within the

agency, such as:

• headquarters;

• regions;

• districts;

• field offices; or

• other operating offices at the same location.

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PURPOSE OF CONTACTS

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Level A

To acquire, clarify, or exchange facts or information needed to complete assignments.

Level B

To plan, coordinate, or advise on work efforts, or to resolve issues or operating problems by

influencing or persuading people who are working toward mutual goals and have basically

cooperative attitudes.

POINT ASSIGNMENT CHART

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

Purpose of Contacts

Level A B

1 30 60

Personal

Contacts

2 45 75

ÕBACK

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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FACTOR 8 – PHYSICAL DEMANDS

NOTE: Laws and regulations governing pay for irregular or intermittent duty involving unusual

physical hardship or hazard are in section 5545(d), of title 5, United States Code, and subpart I of

title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

NOTE: In the table below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Level 8-1 5 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

The work is sedentary. Some work may require periods of standing at a counter. Employees frequently

carry light items such as employee files or pamphlets. The work does not require any special physical

effort.

FACTOR 9 – WORK ENVIRONMENT

NOTE: Laws and regulations governing pay for irregular or intermittent duty involving unusual

physical hardship or hazard are in section 5545(d), of title 5, United States Code, and subpart I of

title 5, Code of Federal Regulations.

NOTE: In the table below, factor level description is abbreviated as FLD.

Level 9-1 5 points

Series

Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

FLD

The work area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. The work environment involves everyday risks

or discomforts that require normal safety precautions.

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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GRADE CONVERSION TABLE

Convert total points on all evaluation factors to General Schedule grades using the following table.

The shaded area(s) reflect the grade levels commonly attained in this job family.

Point Range GS Grade

190-250 1

255-450 2

455-650 3

655-850 4

855-1100 5

1105-1350 6

1355-1600 7

1605-1850 8

1855-2100 9

2105-2350 10

2355-2750 11

2755-3150 12

3155-3600 13

3605-4050 14

4055-up 15

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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APPENDICES

APPENDIX F1 - FACTOR 1 ILLUSTRATIONS

Level 1-2: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, human resources (HR) rules, procedures, and operations sufficient to:

• review documents for completeness and to ensure the presence of signatures, dates, and attachments;

• verify employment information according to office procedures;

• obtain information, maintain listings, and maintain files;

• locate information in official HR folders;

• provide general information concerning HR processes and procedures; and

• refer inquiries about specific issues or actions to the appropriate specialist.

³BACK

Level 1-2: Human Resources Assistant (Information Systems), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, basic HR rules, procedures, and operations in an HR automated system

sufficient to:

• log HR action requests into the automated tracking system;

• forward the action through the system to an HR specialist or other employee assigned to perform the next

action on the document;

• obtain general information concerning employees;

• enter data, complete forms, and add missing information to HR documents, files, and records; and

• retrieve, print, or store automated information.

³BACK

Level 1-2: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, military HR rules, procedures, and operations sufficient to:

• screen and/or check information in service records such as date of birth, length of service, ribbons, marital

status, or citizenship for completeness and accuracy;

• distribute, file, or forward documents electronically or by hand to the appropriate office or individual; and

• make additions, revisions, or deletions to records.

³BACK

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

new employee orientation sufficient to explain general retirement provisions and an overview of employee

benefits to employees; and assist employees in completing employment documents.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Information Systems), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations in an HR

automated system sufficient to:

• process a full range of recurring career-conditional, career, temporary, limited appointments, separations,

position, and pay changes;

• process changes for positions in the competitive service as well as a few excepted appointments for special

employment programs; and

• process actions for positions in one or more pay schedules; e.g., General Schedule and Federal Wage

System.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning the advancement and educational support for the service member sufficient to:

• assure member is qualified to take examinations;

• proctor military or special examinations;

• provide general information to military members on Montgomery GI Bill entitlements; and

• help service members complete training forms for use in obtaining college credit.

³BACK

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning training requirements sufficient to:

• screen training requests submitted by field units;

• assure course prerequisites are met for the requested training;

• identify training quotas;

• issue message orders for the requested training;

• establish start dates for courses using the Training Management System database;

• prepare reports; and

• issue cost accounting data for training.

³BACK

(continued)

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203 (continued)

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning arriving and departing military personnel sufficient to:

• receive, review and process military personnel actions; and

• determine the appropriate primary and secondary military occupational specialty codes, the nature of last

discharge, the nature of reserve obligations, eligibility for transfer from one branch or organizational

component to another, eligibility for promotion, and similar matters.

³BACK

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

sufficient to:

• initiate or review documents for payments including requests for uniform allowances, retroactive pay, and

pay adjustments due to promotion or increased longevity or for performance of inactive duty training;

• review records, verify data affecting payment such as longevity, withholding deductions, disability

allowance waivers, etc.; and

• prepare vouchers for authorized payments.

³BACK

Knowledge of and skill in applying a standardized body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

sufficient to:

• examine information contained in applications, statements of service, correspondence, official military HR

folders, and official publications;

• identify periods of active and inactive service, time lost, etc., by type of service (i.e., Enlisted, Warrant

Officer, Commissioned Officer) and category (i.e., regular, Reserve, National Guard, etc.);

• compute total creditable service for retirement or other purposes; and

• initiate actions requesting clarification relating to creditability of certain types of service.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

position classification sufficient to:

• provide program information;

• identify identical additional positions;

• reconcile organizational records with master personnel files;

• identify the appropriate coding and automated computer processing procedure to process HR actions;

• enter, revise, sort, calculate, or retrieve data for standard reports; and

• locate and retrieve generic position descriptions for specialists or supervisors from the agency automated

position description library.

³BACK

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Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

recruitment and placement sufficient to:

• answer inquiries concerning merit promotion procedures, procedures for reinstatement or transfer to another

Federal agency, and job vacancies for which applications are being accepted;

• identify whether a test needs to be administered;

• identify whether employees applying for promotions meet time-in-grade requirements; and

• identify appropriate regulatory codes, nature of action, and the appropriate pay step to be entered on the HR

action request.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

employee benefits sufficient to:

• assist employees seeking general information concerning retirement benefits, disability, and other types of

employee benefits programs;

• provide information concerning conditions to be met for reinstatement of insurance, conversion of life

insurance, basic features of programs, and options associated with retirement including voluntary

retirement, disability retirement, discontinued service, early out, buy-outs, and other reduction-in-force

provisions;

• provide information concerning survivor benefits, voluntary deposits and redeposits, disability benefits,

health and life insurance options, public pension offset, windfall elimination, Social Security, Thrift

Savings Plan, and other current and emerging provisions;

• prepare initial retirement annuity estimates; and

• assist employees with the preparation and submission of retirement applications and/or retirement fund

redeposits.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

human resource development sufficient to:

• process training requests and training contracts;

• coordinate notification of employees approved for training;

• verify that training was completed;

• compile periodic training reports; and

• provide general information about the courses available, dates to be held, etc.

³BACK

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Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

incentive award processing procedures such as numbering system, established routing patterns, correspondence,

and report requirements sufficient to:

• assign control numbers;

• review submissions for completeness; and

• request missing information from submitting office.

³BACK

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

employee awards sufficient to:

• compile statistical reports consisting of computation of average rates of participation, adoption, tangible

benefits, total amount awarded, distribution of performance awards by grade level and organizational

components;

• arrange award ceremonies by reserving space, arranging for printing of programs, preparing award

certificates, etc.; and

• identify employees eligible for length-of-service awards and prepare and distribute career service

certificates.

³BACK

Level 1-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a standardized body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

labor relations sufficient to:

• arrange for proofreading, printing, and distribution of union contracts;

• arrange for arbitration hearings by reserving space, arranging for parking, obtaining copies of documents,

and notifying participants of dates and times, etc.; and

• process union dues deductions and requests for allotment changes.

³BACK

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Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Information Systems), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations in an HR

automated system sufficient to:

• process a variety of unique HR actions such as: details to State governments, foreign countries, or

international organizations; special appointments and programs such as consultants, visiting program for

scientists, associates, fellows, residents, and various student employment programs;

• process a wide variety of unique appointments, pay treatments, regulatory authorities, approvals and support

documents, changes in duty stations, positions subject to foreign compensation, and frequent transfers of

functions;

• process actions for positions filled by employees in the excepted service under an HR system unique to the

agency;

• process conversions between HR systems such as from the Commissioned Corps to the General Schedule,

and vice versa;

• answer requests for retroactive HR actions that require tracing employee's history and applying pertinent

technical references, conditions, or precedents;

• arrange for overseas transfers; and

• obtain budget, travel, security, and related local clearances, as required, from headquarters.

³BACK

Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning records and documents sufficient to:

• interpret data to determine facts surrounding improper actions committed by service members;

• perform a complete review of records and other case documentation of fraudulent enlistment or

assignments;

• review documentation of actions leading to the removal of military members from active or inactive status;

and

• ensure that documentation is correct and sufficient and that all levels of legal, medical, and administrative

review are complete.

³BACK

(continued)

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Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203 (continued)

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning cases that involve allegations of inequitable, prejudiced, or similar treatment sufficient to:

• review records and documents to develop facts and issues;

• research and provide explanations regarding rules, procedures, and requirements to military employees;

• outline options for the case and recommend appropriate action; and

• answer questions and prepare reports pertaining to the case.

³BACK

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning military promotion requirements sufficient to:

• make initial recommendations on eligibility for promotion;

• identify discrepancies in selectee records;

• screen district officer lists and develop lists of all enlisted personnel and commissioned officers eligible for

promotion based on date of rank and schedule of pending promotion boards;

• reconcile headquarters promotion eligible lists; and

• coordinate with headquarters and selectees to resolve outstanding issues.

³BACK

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of military HR rules, procedures, and operations

concerning military retirement requirements sufficient to:

• make initial determinations on officer and airman eligibility for retirement and completion of active duty

service commitments; and

• identify proper grade for retirement or determine eligibility for advancement to a higher grade by referring

to computerized listings of service computations.\

³BACK

Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

position classification sufficient to:

• assist staff making classification determinations by interviewing supervisors to determine that content of job

warrants use of an identical additional position number;

• review competitive levels for discrepancies and adequacy of justifications;

• rewrite justifications for review by staff making classification determinations;

• assist staff making classification determinations by identifying classification criteria in standards and

preparing for desk audits; and

• locate and retrieve classification information from other agencies or OPM using the Internet.

³BACK

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Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

recruitment and placement sufficient to:

$ screen applications to determine if they meet minimum requirements for initial entry onto an applicant

supply file;

$ apply specified factors to place applicants in rank order on an inventory or register used to fill a few kinds

of related lower-grade positions;

$ provide information and advice on the use of automated HR action processing systems; and

$ identify training needs and probationary requirements for newly selected supervisors.

³BACK

Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

employee benefits sufficient to research problems by doing the following:

• obtain relevant facts about the problem;

• evaluate the adequacy of these facts in light of established precedents; and

• explain options available to the employee based upon analysis of individual circumstances, etc.

³BACK

Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

human resource development sufficient to:

• assist employees in obtaining training and education;

• select individuals for training on the basis of relatedness of subject matter to the mission of the organization

when courses are oversubscribed;

• assure employees meet prerequisites for course; e.g., grade level and previous courses completed;

• revise and administer questionnaires to survey employee interest in specific training/seminars;

• interview interns and employees in upward mobility programs at various stages of their career development

to verify progress, ascertain continued interest, and resolve problems; and

• substitute similar courses to resolve conflicts in employee schedules.

³BACK

Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

incentive awards sufficient to:

• screen justifications for individual cash awards other than rating-based awards;

• select appropriate reviewing officials; and

• review subject matter of suggestions for similarities to previous or other submissions.

³BACK

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Level 1- 4: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, an extensive body of HR rules, procedures, and operations concerning

employee and labor relations sufficient to:

• provide answers to recurring types of questions and explanations of HR policy;

• informally resolve recurring issues by explaining basic HR policies such as approvals of sick leave; and

• interview supervisors to develop facts about reported rumors or to obtain background information regarding

particular incidents or working conditions.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

sufficient to:

• make presentations following established lesson plans for routine administrative support subjects;

• conduct interviews to identify and organize pertinent facts of a situation;

• provide advice to employees regarding minor problems of employee conduct, dissatisfaction, or poor work

habits;

• explain to supervisors the nature of records or sequence of actions required in connection with recurring

disciplinary problems such as excessive unplanned absences;

• assist supervisors in writing admonishment letters; and

• explain options to employees when they are dissatisfied with their performance rating.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of military HR rules, procedures, and technical

methods sufficient to:

• research appeals or other inquiries relating to the validity of efficiency or fitness ratings to establish the

conditions existing at the time the rating was rendered;

• study the military personnel records of both the member being rated and rating officials, Board testimony

and proceedings, Inspector General's investigations and reports, and organizational records, duty code

books, medical records, and similar documents;

• analyze the information in relation to the requirements, spirit, and intent of governing regulations; and

• determine the propriety (or lack thereof) of the rating of record.

³BACK

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Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning position classification sufficient to:

• assist HR specialists by classifying a variety of lower grade-level positions by reviewing the position

description and organization structure, and obtaining required information from the supervisor;

• review the appropriate positions classification standards and information about the organization;

• identify classification issues and problems where the answers are not readily apparent; and

• answer general questions from supervisors and employees regarding procedures for classifying positions.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning recruitment and placement sufficient to:

• conduct recruitment/examining activities for common lower-grade positions;

• make appropriate modifications to standard or precedent announcement(s);

• review applications to assess applicants' basic qualifications;

• prepare appropriate certificate;

• take appropriate action upon selection; and

• advise selecting official on hiring procedures and requirements.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning employee benefits sufficient to:

• provide advice and assistance to employees regarding employee benefit problems and issues; and

• research, identify, and explain complicated and in-depth employee benefit-related issues such as health

benefits conversion and complicated annuity calculations and information.

³BACK

Assistance Work in the Human Resources Group, GS-0200 December 2000

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Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning human resource development sufficient to:

• make presentations following established lesson plans for routine administrative support subjects;

• recommend changes in presentation content or various aspects of the human resource development

program; and

• determine whether proposed training will affect employee qualifications or eligibility for entry into other

jobs or career patterns.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning the incentive awards program sufficient to:

• recommend dollar amounts of awards based on local precedent and regulations;

• prepare summary descriptions of approved awards for publication; and

• outline the reasons why the awards committee did not recommend approval.

³BACK

Level 1-5: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Knowledge of, and skill in applying, a comprehensive body of HR rules, procedures, and technical methods

concerning labor relations, negotiated contract(s), and labor-management objectives, policies, and procedures

sufficient to:

• resolve minor union complaints and allegations;

• research case law to identify precedents for current labor relations problems, or search similar unfair labor

practice complaints for potential problems in handling current cases;

• review previous labor relations cases to identify major issues and compare with current case;

• ask questions of union members to obtain facts concerning complaints or grievances;

• explain employee rights, management rights, procedures for filing grievances, and the distinction between

the union contract and established HR policies; and

• explain alternative processes to resolve issues and problems; e.g., using interest-based bargaining or

alternative dispute resolution.

³BACK

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APPENDIX F4 - FACTOR 4 ILLUSTRATIONS

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides basic information to employees concerning HR policy, practices, and

processes.

What Needs to be Done – Responds to inquiries and provides HR information concerning standard processing

procedures and requirements related to human resource development, training, and education and other HR

services. Asks routine questions to clarify what kind of information the employee is seeking. Provides basic

information to employees concerning basic issues such as leave policies, procedures for obtaining maternity

leave, practices in connection with court leave, or compiling data on sick leave usage.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as the kind

of information employees are seeking, or nature of the basic issue. For complicated questions or inquiries, the

assistant refers employees to an HR specialist or supervisor for assistance.

³BACK

Nature of Assignment – Conducts new employee orientation.

What Needs to be Done – Administers the Oath of Office to new employees. Explains hours of work and leave

accrual, describes local facilities, and provides information concerning the Federal Employee Health Benefits

Program such as eligibility, enrollment, cost, coverage, and time limits for filing forms. Assists new employees

in completing security forms.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as:

• which forms, documents, and other paperwork new employees must complete; and

• the proper procedures to complete the paperwork.

³BACK

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Information Systems), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Completes a variety of related and recurring HR actions for an assigned segment of the

organization.

What Needs to be Done – Prepares to input, edit, or update HR information in the computer by;

• making initial determinations regarding whether routine requests to fill vacancies should be treated as

recruitment actions or as internal promotion actions;

• establishing due dates for probationary periods, within-grade increases, and conversion to career

appointments;

• checking the accuracy of organizational and position data;

• checking action request for inclusion of supporting documents; and

• determining the nature of actions needed to update employee data.

Inputs, edits, or updates HR information in the computer.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as;

• the appropriate nature of action code required to process actions; and

• whether all requirements are met to code and input data into the HR automated system.

³BACK

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Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Receives, reviews, and processes HR actions for arriving and departing military

personnel.

What Needs to be Done – Reviews and processes documents, including retirement applications and permanent

changes of station. Provides logistical support for special examinations. Provides information to service

members concerning entitlements.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as:

• contradictory entries in efficiency reports;

• consistency of opinions regarding ratee's character or integrity with statements of fact; and

• consistency and authorization of military rating, endorsing, and reviewing officials.

³BACK

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Assists staff who make classification determinations and employees seeking

classification assistance or information.

What Needs to be Done – Makes pen and ink changes, organizational changes, amendments, and changes in

position sensitivity on position descriptions. Provides basic program information regarding standard processing

procedures and requirements related to position classification. Establishes and maintains subject matter files and

agency guidance, etc. Prepares various classification reports and studies.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as signature

and document requirements for establishing and/or changing position descriptions.

³BACK

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Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Maintains one or more registers of employees eligible for positions.

What Needs to be Done – Screens applications for completeness. Prepares notices of rating. Enters the

information into the automated HR system. Selects candidates to certify. Audits returned certificates. Updates

registers to show action on the certificate.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as:

• the appropriate action code for each listed eligible;

• whether the veterans' preference requirements and "rule of three" have been observed; and

• whether the applications for selected candidates have been retained and that dates of entrance on duty are

shown.

³BACK

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides basic information to employees concerning the Federal Employee Health

Benefits Program, the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), Federal Employee Group Life Insurance Program, and routine

retirement actions.

What Needs to be Done – Explains eligibility requirements, the enrollment process, and basic features of the

employee benefits program; e.g., cost, coverage, and time limits for filing. Processes simple claims submitted

by employees for compensation benefits.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as;

• eligibility requirements for various benefits;

• enrollment processes for TSP and various insurance and retirement programs; and

• processing procedures for employee benefits.

³BACK

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides assistance and support concerning human resource development.

What Needs to be Done – Provides basic information to employees concerning human resource development

such as approval for training, changes in schedules, course availability, and course dates. Maintains career

development files, manual and/or electronic training records, and training funds/accounts.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as:

• changes in training schedules or course availability;

• processing procedures for different types of training or education; and

• processing procedures for training funds and other accounts.

³BACK

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Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides assistance and support concerning employee awards programs.

What Needs to be Done – Processes incentive awards and provides support and assistance in the office by:

• assigning control numbers to awards;

• reviewing award submissions for completeness;

• requesting missing information from submitting office;

• compiling statistical reports; and

• making arrangements for awards ceremonies.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as:

• what information is required to complete submissions; and

• what is needed for the awards ceremonies.

³BACK

Level 4-2: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides assistance to specialists in the labor relations program and provides basic

information to employees concerning the labor relations program.

What Needs to be Done – Makes arrangements for proofreading, printing, and distribution of union contracts.

Reserves rooms and parking spaces for participants at arbitration hearings. Provides basic information to

participants such as dates and times of hearings.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines easily recognized differences in situations such as the

acceptability of meeting rooms for arbitration hearings or convenience of parking spaces.

³BACK

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Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Determines steps to be taken in processing a wide variety of unrelated HR actions

under different situations that require different treatment.

What Needs to be Done – Makes the following determinations:

• whether a new appointee has previous Federal service,

• whether the periods of prior service are creditable,

• the eligibility of an employee for Federal benefits,

• whether the employee previously completed the probationary period,

• whether the position to which the employee is assigned is obligated,

• special security clearance requirements of positions,

• continuous creditable service for appointment conversion,

• compatibility of the regulatory authority and nature of action to be used with the purpose of the action, and

• whether the proposed positions are within the authorized ceiling.

Reconciles master HR records against computer files and/or against records that the organization maintains.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques

needed to resolve problems and identify issues such as:

• the facts regarding employees and positions that impact completion of the action;

• computation problems as a result of an employees record containing many breaks in service, leave without

pay, and questionable creditability or coverage; and

• appointment conversion processing complicated by previous work history, military service, and education.

³BACK

Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Develops appeals cases that require final decision by boards of review.

What Needs to be Done – Summarizes salient facts and issues of appeals cases such as:

• brief chronology with questions to be decided, potential effects of alternative decisions, legal or regulatory

issues involved, or policy and past decisions that have a direct or indirect bearing on the case;

• assessment of character, behavior or other intangibles based on facts,

• opinions and other evidence brought together from the case submission, military records, and contacts with

legal, medical and other sources; and

• other recommendations and opinions for consideration by the review board in rendering decisions.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques

needed to resolve problems in the consistency of the events surrounding a case with the opinions of the case and

other pertinent evidence and facts.

³BACK

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Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Reviews current classification standards to analyze and classify positions.

What Needs to be Done – Recommends pay plan, series, title, and grade level for noncontroversial lower-grade

assistant or other administrative support positions. Prepares standard justifications in support of recommended

classifications.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques

needed to support recommendations for the classification of noncontroversial lower-grade position descriptions.

³BACK

Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Evaluates applications and ranks applicants for a variety of lower-grade positions.

What Needs to be Done – Identifies major duties of the positions being filled. Compares requirements of the

positions being filled with the backgrounds of applicants to determine that minimum eligibility requirements

have been met. Determines the relative degree to which applicant experience meets various rating factors.

Ranks applicants based on their demonstrated ability to perform specific work.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques

needed to resolve problems and identify issues such as the difference between the major duties of vacant

assistant or administrative support positions and eligibility of applicants.

³BACK

Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides information and assistance to employees concerning issues and intricate

employee benefits provisions.

What Needs to be Done – Provides information and assistance to employees regarding program requirements,

processing procedures, and issues of various types of retirement programs including voluntary, disability,

discontinued service, early out, buy-outs, and other reduction-in-force provisions. Explains survivor benefits,

computations, health and life insurance options, public pension offset, windfall elimination, Social Security,

Thrift Savings Plan, and other current and emerging provisions. Assists employees with problems applying for

benefits.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques

needed to resolve problems employees are having in:

• understanding the benefits requirements; and

• obtaining benefits.

³BACK

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Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Assists employees in obtaining training and education.

What Needs to be Done – Assures employees requesting training have met the prerequisites. Resolves

conflicts in employee schedules by selecting course substitutions. Interviews interns and employees in upward

mobility programs to assess progress and resolve any problems. Assists specialists as they meet with

supervisors to determine training needs of their organization.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques to

identify and resolve problems employees or supervisors have in selecting or obtaining training.

³BACK

Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Provides support and assistance in the employee awards area.

What Needs to be Done – Completes rating-based and other awards processing by:

• recommending dollar amounts of awards;

• preparing summary descriptions of approved awards; and

• outlining the reasons why the awards committee did not recommend approval.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques to

identify and resolve problems involving rating-based and other awards.

³BACK

Level 4-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Nature of Assignment – Informally resolves complaints.

What Needs to be Done – Meets with employee to discuss complaints. Suggests actions to resolve the problem

or helps the employee contact the person or office that can help the employee resolve the issue.

Difficulty and Originality Involved – Determines interrelationships and appropriate methods and techniques to

identify and resolve simple problems concerning management and employee rights. Refers potentially

controversial or significant problems to specialists.

³BACK

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APPENDIX F5 - FACTOR 5 ILLUSTRATIONS

Level 5-1: Human Resources Assistant, GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Ensures completeness of human resources (HR) forms and job applications. Maintains

applicant files. Distributes and tracks HR action requests. Compiles lists of active vacancies. Requests

certificates. Electronically updates position descriptions. Enters codes into the computer for HR actions.

Effect of the Work – Work contributes to the efficiency of the office.

³BACK

Level 5-1: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Screens service records and other military HR forms or reports to extract specified items

of information such as dates, titles, and locations for posting to other records. Checks military personnel records

to insure completeness and proper sequence of forms. Assures required signatures are present. Distributes

documents to the appropriate offices.

Effect of the Work – Work contributes to the efficiency of the office.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Information Systems), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Identifies appropriate information required to process actions. Corrects discrepancies on

automated HR action requests.

Effect of the Work – Corrections on automated HR action requests affect the accuracy of HR actions and

related pay determinations.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Screens records of nominees for special assignments or schools to identify those qualified

in accordance with special requirements relating to the assignment of the military member. Assures basic

regulatory requirements are met regarding rank, previous education or training, and previous assignments.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the accuracy of special assignments or school assignments for military

employees.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Verifies job content in establishing identical additional positions. Obtains automated

positions descriptions from files or from the agency computer database. Maintains files.

Effect of the Work – Accuracy and efficiency of the work affects the reliability of services the office provides.

³BACK

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Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Screens job applicants on minimum qualifications for initial entry into a competitive

inventory. Provides information to employees or job applicants concerning:

• recruitment and placement procedures and processes;

• the results of consideration for employment; and

• the results of consideration for promotion.

Effect of the Work – Accuracy in screening job applicants and providing information affects the quality of

services the office provides.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Processes benefit requests applying local requirements, obtains required information or

supporting documentation, provides basic information concerning employee benefits to employees, and prepares

statistical reports.

Effect of the Work – The completeness of submissions and supporting documents affects timeliness and the

ability of the organization to process and maintain accurate HR records. The work affects the reliability of

services the office provides.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Screens training requests for discrepancies. Controls the maintenance of training and

career development funds. Provides information regarding the availability of specific courses, numbers of

employees completing training, or how to prepare training requests.

Effect of the Work – The work affects the accuracy and reliability of training reports and training vendors' bills

and ability of employees to acquire training courses and education.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Processes awards and provides support and assistance in the awards office. Prepares

statistical reports and makes arrangements for ceremonies.

Effect of the Work – The work affects the quality of services the awards office provides.

³BACK

Level 5-2: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Provides arrangements for arbitration hearings in terms of meeting rooms, records, and

special needs. Reviews dues deductions and requests for allotment changes for accuracy.

Effect of the Work – The work affects the quality of services the labor relations office provides and the

working relationship between labor and management.

³BACK

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Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Military), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Reviews military records and other case documentation on actions that may affect the

career of the military member. Ensures documentation is procedurally correct and complete, and adheres to

military policy and regulation. Summarizes relevant facts and issues regarding proposed action. Outlines

options, and recommends appropriate action. Cases include allegations of inequitable, prejudiced, or similar

treatment having major effects on career or service.

Effect of the Work – Unfavorable outcomes may result in military member's career separation and loss of

status.

³BACK

Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Classification), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Reviews a variety of classification standards, relevant position descriptions found in

agency web pages, or automated HR system to determine and recommend the appropriate series, grade level,

and title of assistant and other administrative support positions.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the quality and the adequacy of position classification.

³BACK

Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Recruitment & Placement), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Rates employees for promotion and proposes order of selection according to established

examining criteria and technical methods.

Effect of the Work – Decisions affect the quality and adequacy of the rating of employees and subsequent

selection for promotion.

³BACK

Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee Benefits), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Explains benefits options available to employees based upon analysis of individual cases.

Processes claims that require identifying and substantiating relevant information.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the quality and adequacy of services the employee benefits program

provides.

³BACK

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Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Human Resource Development), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Prepares and presents classroom instruction for a limited number of basic subjects.

Determines whether proposed training will affect employee qualifications or eligibility for entry into other

support or assistant positions or career patterns.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the quality of the training program and employee qualifications or eligibility

for future positions.

³BACK

Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Performance Management), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Supports and assists the office by recommending dollar amounts of awards, preparing

summary descriptions of approved awards, and outlining the reasons why the awards committee did not

recommend approval.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the quality of the awards program and employees' understanding of why

they did not receive an award.

³BACK

Level 5-3: Human Resources Assistant (Employee & Labor Relations), GS-0203

Scope of the Work – Interviews supervisors to develop facts about reported rumors or to obtain background

information regarding particular incidents or working conditions. Summarizes relevant facts for use by

specialists.

Effect of the Work – Work affects the quality of program operations and services and the adequacy of

information needed by specialists in the labor relations area.

³BACK

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APPENDIX H - HISTORICAL RECORD AND EXPLANATORY MATERIAL

This appendix describes the development of this job family standard (JFS). We

highlight some key dates and milestones and provide information about proposals

we tested and about our deliberations as we crafted the final version of the standard

for issuance. We believe users will find the information helpful as background for

understanding and applying the job family standard. Readers with extensive

position classification experience may recall the forerunner of this appendix as the

Explanatory Memorandum that we formerly issued with some final position

classification standards.

KEY DATES AND MILESTONES

In 1997, the Classifications Programs Division (CPD) within the Office of Personnel Management

(OPM) resumed an earlier effort to study occupations in the personnel management group, which

by then was more often referred to as human resources management (HRM). We officially notified

the agencies that we would be developing a job family classification standard and began our

factfinding. At that time, we added the GS-0203, Personnel Clerical and Technician Series, to the

study and subsequently also added the GS-0204, Military Personnel Clerical and Technician Series

to develop a job family standard for assistance (formally clerical and technical) work in the group.

The Department of Defense (DOD) raised immediate concerns that such factfinding would be

premature and misleading if we conducted it at that time. DOD was in the midst and immediate

aftermath of its downsizing, base closures, regionalizing of HR operations, and centralizing of

HRM policy leadership. As a result, OPM delayed its factfinding at DOD locations until 1998.

In January 2000, OPM electronically released the Draft Job Family Position Classification

Standard for Assistance Work in the Human Resources Management Group, GS-0200C, for agency

review, comment, and test application. In this appendix, we present those proposals, discuss

agency comments, and describe how we resolved various issues in this final job family position

classification standard for assistance work.

RESULTS OF AGENCY REVIEW, COMMENT, AND TRIAL APPLICATION

A. JOB FAMILY STANDARDS - GENERAL ISSUES. In addition to using the job family

standard (JFS) approach to developing and issuing position classification standards, we make

every attempt to simplify and streamline position classification concepts, documents, and

procedures with every issuance of a new JFS. We tested and implemented several ideas in the

GS-0200 Assistance Work JFS, with the help of agency HR offices and subject matter experts.

1. Using the Factor Evaluation System (FES) Format for All Job Family Standards.

Prior to April 1999, we polled the agency chiefs of position classification to determine

their preferred format for classification standards (i.e., either narrative or FES).

Agency Comment: Almost unanimously, agency classification chiefs preferred the FES

format.

Our Response: We developed this JFS - and will develop all future JFSs - in the FES

format.

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2. Incorporating Hypertext Linking and Embedded File Features to Improve Navigation

Through a Job Family Standard. Job family standards can incorporate a significant

amount of material about various occupations and specializations, only some of which

will be relevant to a particular classification determination. Also, we continue to

emphasize moving to an automated, electronic environment for using this classification

guidance. Consequently, we included in the draft JFS links between factor level

descriptions (FLDs) and the related illustrations for particular specialties, as well as

other electronic features so that individuals applying the standard could be selective

about the material that was actually displayed on the screen.

Agency Comments: Agencies were mixed in their reactions to these features. Many found

them useful. Others found the separation of FLDs and illustrations in a printed version

of the document to be confusing and cumbersome. In particular, the separation of titling

and occupational information from the general guidance about series was unpopular.

Our Response: We have decided to retain the embedded links, particularly those that are

designed to permit selective reading of illustrations. We believe this feature will be

even more valuable in future JFSs that have a larger number of occupations. However,

we have reunited all the guidance about series, titling, and occupational information

near the beginning of a JFS. Also, we will retain links between our JFSs and the

relevant qualification standards. We view the continued development of such features

as important to fulfilling our general commitment to make classification less dependent

on printed documentation. We believe that our agency customers, particularly those

with limited classification experience, will find them beneficial. Of course, users who

prefer having illustration material closer to the FLDs are free to print copies of the JFS

and rearrange its pages in whatever manner they find most useful.

3. Changing Titling Practices to Use "Assistant" for Administrative Support Positions.

We proposed a revision to the current position classification titling practice. We

proposed to discontinue the use of the term "clerical" and "technician" from titling

practices for administrative support positions within this standard, as well as all other

job family standards that contain one-grade interval administrative support

occupations. Some agency representatives have informally suggested that clerical

work has evolved into assistant duties. They have also suggested that the technician

title caused confusion with other types of technician type work such as the engineering

technician series. Consequently, we proposed to change all titles within the draft job

family standard for this one-grade interval administrative support work to

"assistant."

Agency Comments: The majority of respondents support the change. However, some

respondents believe that the change will cause confusion about the different levels of

assistance work.

Our Response: While the change in titling practice to use "assistant" consistently may

cause some initial confusion for those accustomed to the former titling practice, we

believe the new titling practice reflects the work performed and will eliminate confusion

in the future.

4. Guidance on Distinguishing One-Grade Interval Work From Two-Grade Interval

Work. The draft JFS released for comment did not include guidance on how to

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distinguish support (i.e., one-grade interval) positions from specialist (i.e., two-grade

interval) positions. Such guidance had been provided in the 1976 standard for

Personnel Management, GS-0201.

Agency Comments: Several commenters noted that such guidance was very helpful,

particularly for users without extensive classification experience, and suggested that we

restore such guidance to this JFS.

Our Response: We have added a section about "Distinctions Between Assistant Work and

Specialist Work" to GENERAL SERIES, TITLING, AND OCCUPATIONAL

GUIDANCE, and will include similar guidance in future JFSs where it is relevant. For

example, the JFS for Administrative Work in the Human Resources Management

Group, GS-0200, which is being issued simultaneously with this JFS, contains a similar

section.

5. Retaining "Knowledge Required by the Position" to Describe Factor 1. As part of an

ongoing effort to work with OPM's Employment Service (ES) to integrate

occupational studies and their related products more fully, we had proposed renaming

Factor 1 to "Competencies Required by the Position."

Agency Comments: Most agencies expressed concern about the confusion that using the

"competencies" label could cause. Moreover, they noted, correctly, that the

competencies that ES is looking at in their models are not confined to the classification

and grading criteria covered by Factor 1.

Our Response: We will continue to use "Knowledge Required by the Position" as the

name of Factor 1 in this and future JFSs. Factor level descriptions for this factor will

continue to focus on the kind or nature of the knowledge and skill needed and how that

knowledge and those skills are used in doing the work. We will also continue to work

with ES to find appropriate ways to integrate our occupational studies and our respective

classification and qualification standards.

6. Using Generic Factor Level Descriptions for Factor 2 - Supervisory Controls and

Factor 3 - Guidelines. In our pursuit of creating classification guidance that is

standardized across occupational groups, we have looked for ways we can make JFSs

consistent and use similar language and approaches. It appeared to us that the nature

of the FLDs needed for Factors 2 and 3 was such that we could craft generic criteria

that would be suitable in multiple JFSs. We asked agencies to examine our proposed

generic language and indicate whether they preferred seeing similar language in other

JFSs or more occupation-specific FLDs.

Agency Comments: Understandably, most agencies did not provide extensive comments

on this issue. Those that did favored the idea.

Our Response: In the absence of any objection, we will issue this and future JFSs using

principally generic FLD language for Factors 2 and 3. We should note that Factor 3 -

Guidelines will often include at its start a more specific listing of particular guidelines

that affect the occupations in the particular job family.

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7. Clarifying the Intent and Use of Illustrations for Assigning Factor Point Values.

When we first began issuing position classification standards in the FES format, they

contained benchmark position descriptions (PDs) at various grade levels. These

benchmarks were representations of real-life work situations, and our intent was to

make them available as short cuts to position classification decisions. That is, users

could use either a complete benchmark PD or any portion of a benchmark to justify

assigning the appropriate levels and points to the PD being evaluated. In effect, our

current practice of linking illustrations to FLDs gives the user such portions of

benchmark PDs. An illustration does not describe an entire job across all the factors.

Rather, an illustration provides information about a real-life work situation that is

relevant to - or "illustrates" - a given factor level for a specific occupation or specialty

within the job family.

Agency Comments: In a few instances, agency comments revealed some confusion about

the intended use of illustrations, particularly when used in combination with FLDs and

with respect to the concept of FES criteria expressing a threshold that must be met. In

the test application of the draft JFS to existing PDs, some reviewers had concluded that

unless the duties and responsibilities of the tested position fully met both the FLD

threshold and the level described in a relevant illustration for that factor level, they

could not assign the points for that level.

Our Response: We found it particularly useful to have this confusion brought to our

attention, as we want to continue to use illustrations to add occupation- and specialty-

specific guidance to enhance the more general FLDs, particularly for Factor 1 -

Knowledge Required by the Position, Factor 4 - Complexity, and Factor 5 - Scope and

Effect. By design, FLDs show the application of the Primary Standard to a given series

or, in the case of this particular JFS, a cluster of specialties within the series.

Consequently, we instruct users that the factor information in a PD must match the FLD

fully for the evaluator to assign the points at that level. No such requirement exists with

respect to illustrations, and we have revised the material on "How to Use This Standard"

to clarify what illustrations are for and how users should apply them. We note that an

illustration may describe a level of work that is somewhat higher than the threshold

level of its related FLD and that a PD must fully match only the FLD to merit its point

value.

B. THE GS-0200 ASSISTANCE WORK JOB FAMILY STANDARD - SPECIFIC ISSUES.

We also tested several ideas that apply only to the assistance work in human resources

management that this job family standard covers.

1. Redesignating the GS-0200 Occupational Group as the "Human Resources

Management Group, GS-0200. We proposed to revise the group name from

"Personnel Management and Industrial Relations" to "Human Resources

Management" to reflect general changes in the field.

Agency Comments: Agencies overwhelmingly favored this change.

Our Response: With the issuance of this JFS in conjunction with the JFS for two-grade

interval administrative work, we are redesignating this occupational group as the

"Human Resources Management Group."

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2. Consolidating Existing Series Into a Single "Human Resources Assistance Series, GS-

0203." Although OPM and the agencies had rejected widespread series consolidation

for the General Schedule, CPD concluded that the HR occupational group presented a

case where consolidation was justified and would in fact be helpful to agencies and

employees. We proposed to combine the Military Personnel Clerical and Technician

Series, GS-0204, with the Personnel Clerical and Assistance Series, GS-0203. The

proposal reflected the basic similarity of the work involved in both series. The

consolidated series would be called the Human Resources Assistance Series, GS-0203.

Agency Comments: Some agencies in the Department of Defense did not concur with our

proposal to combine the civilian and military series. They stated that although the

grading criteria of the JFS can apply to both civilian and military HR work, the two

occupations should remain separate because the knowledge requirements about the two

different HR systems are so different.

Our Response: While we acknowledge those agencies that expressed concern with our

proposal to combine these series, we did not receive any strong or convincing rationale

for keeping the two series separate. We believe that the basic knowledge of HR and the

general kinds of work, if not the precise details, of the services to be performed are

similar for both civilian and military situations. Moreover, the idea that a separate HR

system should correlate to a separate occupational series would only lead to a further

proliferation of barely distinguishable occupations given the current and likely future

developments that will lead to Federal employees being subject to HR systems with

some different characteristics. Our current practice is to consolidate similar series

where it is reasonable as one way to help meet our strategic goal of simplifying the

classification system. Consequently, we have proceeded to consolidate and rename

these two series. We have established a specific parenthetical specialty title for military

HR work that should serve many of the purposes that maintaining a separate series

would.

3. Establishing Parenthetical Specialty Titles: In the draft JFS, we proposed six

parenthetical specialty titles.

Agency Comments: Agencies provided mixed comments about the proposed specialties.

Those who opposed series consolidation saw no reason for them. Others who supported

or were more neutral about series consolidation raised questions about the distinctions

among some titles and suggested dropping some that were unclear and adding others

that would be useful. Late in the development process, we proposed using "Human

Resource Development" rather than "Employee Development" to designate the specialty

associated with training and learning management. A few commenters thought the latter

expression was preferable, but the majority agreed that the Federal community has come

to refer to these programs using the proposed term.

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Our Response: We found all the comments helpful. As a result, we are establishing

eight parenthetical specialty titles for the Human Resources Assistance, GS-0203

occupational series:

$ (Information Systems)

$ (Military)

$ (Classification)

$ (Recruitment and Employment)

$ (Employee Benefits)

$ (Human Resource Development)

$ (Performance Management)

$ (Employee & Labor Relations)

In addition, we have added guidance to clarify that agencies are still permitted to establish

organizational titles.

4. Clarifying FLDs to Provide Clearer Distinctions.

We asked agencies to comment on

the quality and clarity of the standard and the grading criteria contained in the factor

level descriptions (FLDs).

Agency Comments: While most agencies reported satisfaction with all of the FLDs, a few

agencies requested clarification in some of the FLDs.

Our Response: We carefully reviewed and clarified the factor level distinctions by

expanding the descriptions in the FLDs.

5. Assessing Impact on Grades. We followed our usual practice of requesting that

agencies report any effects that applying the draft JFS had on the grades of the tested

positions.

Agency Comments: While most agencies reported specific results, others provided general

comments, such as "no impact" or "minimal impact." The cumulative effects from the

agencies that reported specific test application results showed that 95 percent of the

tested positions had no changes in grade, while 2 percent faced potential downgrades

and 3 percent were potential upgrades.

Our Response: Given these test application results and our efforts to clarify further the

distinctions in the factor level descriptions, we concluded that it was appropriate to issue

the final JFS.