Classification
The DAS Chief Human Resources Office (CHRO) is responsible for managing the State's Classification Plan. This plan makes sure job classes are clear, consistent, fair, and create career paths across state agencies (ORS 240.215, 240.190, and ORS 243.650 to 243.782).
The Classification Plan is a management tool that organizes the State's classifications by type of work (occupation) and level of skill, effort, and responsibility. It also defines the processes for keeping the classifications up to date.
Classifications group similar occupations based on:
- Type of work (occupation)
- Responsibility (independence and authority)
- Supervisory responsibilities (directing the work of other employees). Difficulty and complexity, including variety and scope of work, and controls on the work (such as segregation or selection of assignments, guidelines or procedures, etc.)
- Fair and equitable selection methods
- Similar level of job value
A classification specification defines a job classification. It is the official document that describes the type of work, responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and minimum qualifications needed.
The classification specification is a general definition and not a position description (PD). A PD details the specific duties of a job, while the classification specification describes an occupation in broad terms, covering many positions and agencies.
Position classification review, or allocation, is the process of matching each job to the right classification. The goal is to make sure that the same classification title (not working title), pay range, qualification requirements, selection procedures, training, and performance standards apply to all similar jobs. This helps with hiring, training, performance review, workforce planning, and competitive and equitable pay practices.