§ 9901.221 - Classification requirements.

(a) The Secretary will develop a methodology for describing and documenting the duties, qualifications, and other requirements of categories of jobs, and will make such descriptions and documentation available to affected employees.

(b) The Secretary will—

(1) Assign occupational series to jobs consistent with occupational series definitions established by OPM under 5 U.S.C. 5105, or by DoD; and

(2) Apply the criteria and definitions required by §§9901.211 and 9901.212 to assign jobs to an appropriate career group, pay schedule, and pay band.

(c) The Secretary will establish procedures for classifying jobs and may make such inquiries of the duties, responsibilities, and qualification requirements of jobs as he or she considers necessary for the purpose of this section.

(d) A classification action is implemented by a personnel action, which, for encumbered positions, must be taken within a reasonable period of time following the effective date of the position classification action. For classification actions resulting from a DoD appeal decision, the personnel action must occur within four pay periods following the effective date of the decision, except when a subsequent date is specifically provided in the decision. If a classification action results in a reduction in an employee's pay band or adjusted salary, the employee must be advised, in writing, of the action and proposed effective date of the personnel action at least 7 days before the personnel action is taken. The written notice will inform the employee of the reason for the reclassification, the right to appeal the classification decision, and the time limitations in §9901.223 within which the appeal must be filed to preserve applicable retroactive benefits.

(e) Except as otherwise provided in this paragraph or required by law, the effective date of a classification action is the date the authorized management official certifies the classification decision ( i.e. , signs or electronically validates the position description).

(1) A retroactive effective date for a classification action and the implementing personnel action is permitted only if the action resulted in a reduction in pay band or adjusted salary and if that action is subsequently reversed on appeal.

(2) In order for a corrective action to be retroactive, the employee must file an initial request for review of the classification action with DoD or OPM not later than 15 calendar days after the personnel action effective date for the reduction in pay band or adjusted salary.

(3) A retroactive date may be established only if the appeal reversal is based on the duties and responsibilities performed at the time of reduction. Retroactive action is mandatory under these circumstances.