Rule 478-1-.10 - Classification Plan(1)Introduction: Under state law, the Department of Administrative Services (DOAS) is required to define job classes, establish associated minimum qualifications, and assign classes to appropriate pay ranges. This Rule sets forth the procedures by which the statewide classification plan is established and maintained.
(2)Applicability: This Rule applies to all agencies of the executive branch, local departments of public health, and community service boards. This Rule does not apply to other public corporations, authorities, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, the legislative branch, or the judicial branch.
(3)Definitions:(a) "Entry qualifications" mean the competencies, experience and education necessary to perform job responsibilities satisfactorily.(b) "Job description" means information applicable to a grouping of job duties and responsibilities, to include job title, job code, job summary, list of primary duties and responsibilities, and entry qualifications. Job descriptions provide broad illustrations of the types of work performed by incumbents and should not be construed as limiting an agency's authority to modify the duties and responsibilities of its employees or to direct or control their work.(c) "Position description" means a detailed written statement of the duties and responsibilities assigned to an individual employee. If appropriate, a position description will contain preferred qualifications.(4)Preparation and Adoption of the Plan: (a) After consulting with the Office of Planning and Budget (OPB), the Commissioner will have the authority to prepare and recommend a new comprehensive statewide classification plan to the State Personnel Board. The new plan will be based on position data analysis provided by the agencies and will include information for each job, including job title, job summary, responsibilities, and entry qualifications. DOAS, in partnership with the agencies, will develop entry qualifications for each job in the classification plan.(b) A public comment period of 30 calendar days will commence following plan publication. Notice of plan publication will include instructions for submitting written comments during the public comment period, as well as the starting and ending dates of the public comment period.(c) Comments received during the 30-calendar-day period will be thoroughly reviewed, considered, and, if determined appropriate, incorporated into the plan as recommended by the Commissioner and presented to the Board. The Board may modify the plan in any way it deems appropriate and formally adopt the plan at a public hearing. The Commissioner will submit the approved plan to the Governor. The plan will be effective at the time agreed upon by the Commissioner and the Office of Planning and Budget.(5)Amendments to the Plan:(a) Following consultation with agencies directly affected, the Commissioner may make the following material amendments to the classification plan: 1. establishing or abolishing a job or job series;2. activating or deactivating a job code;3. merging or dividing jobs;4. modifying a job description; or5. reassignment of a job or job series.(b) The Commissioner may make the following non-material amendments to the classification plan without consultation with agencies:1. correcting a published error or inaccuracy; or2. correcting grammar, spelling, typographical errors, formatting, or references.(c) Amendments will take effect in accordance with the following guidelines: 1. Material amendments without significant budgetary impact will take effect on the date agreed upon by the Commissioner and agencies directly affected.2. Material amendments with significant budgetary impact will take effect upon approval by the Office of Planning and Budget.3. Non-material amendments will take effect when processed.(d) The Commissioner will report material amendments to the Board and will publish all amendments in a manner accessible to the agencies.(6)Reconsideration of Amendments to the Plan: Any agency affected by an amendment to the classification plan may submit a written request for reconsideration by the Commissioner. The Commissioner must review the request and issue a decision no later than 30 business days following receipt of the request.
(7)Allocation and Reallocation of Positions:(a) Positions that are substantially similar with respect to the type and level of work to be performed, responsibilities assigned, level of supervision received, qualifications necessary for successful job performance, and external market value (where relevant) will be assigned to the same job.(b) Agencies must allocate every position to the appropriate job and may submit requests for technical assistance to DOAS. Allocations and reallocations should be reported in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner.(c) When a filled position is reallocated due to a reevaluation of the position or a change in job responsibilities, the incumbent, if determined as eligible for promotion, transfer, or demotion to the new job, may remain in the position at the discretion of the agency. The employment status of an incumbent who does not remain in a reallocated position will be determined in accordance with other applicable provisions of these Rules.(d) Except as provided in Rule 478-1-.27, Appeals and Hearings for Classified Employees, an employee does not have the right to appeal decisions relating to the allocation or reallocation of positions.(e) Periodically, the Commissioner will assess the classification of positions for consistency in application across agencies and with the classification plan.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 478-1-.10
O.C.G.A. §§ 45-20-3, 45-20-3.1, 45-20-4; § 45-20-1.
Original Rule entitled "Promotions, Transfers, Demotions, Relocations" adopted. F. July 31, 1985; eff. July 1, 1985, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Jan. 15, 1987; eff. Dec. 29, 1986, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Jan. 22, 1988; eff. Nov. 12, 1987, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Nov. 8, 1989; eff. Jun. 28, 1989, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. June 20, 1990; eff. July 1, 1990, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Sept. 3, 1992; eff. Aug. 6, 1992, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Nov. 16, 1992; eff. Sept. 21, 1992, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Apr. 9, 1993; eff. Mar. 8, 1993, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. June 30, 1994; eff. July 1, 1994, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Nov. 15, 1994; eff. Nov. 3, 1994, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. July 11, 1995; eff. June 30, 1995, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Dec. 31, 1996; eff. Sept. 20, 1996, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Feb. 7, 1997; eff. Jan. 29, 1997, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Oct. 8, 1997; eff. Sept. 25, 1997, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Nov. 4, 1997; eff. Oct. 27, 1997, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Sept. 21, 1998; eff. Sept. 9, 1998, as specified by the Board.Repealed: New Rule entitled "Classification Plan" adopted. F. Dec. 23, 2008; eff. Dec. 17, 2008, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Oct. 28, 2009; eff. Aug. 27, 2009, as specified by the Board.Amended: F. Aug. 25, 2020; eff. Mar. 16, 2020, as specified by the Board.