Current through Rules and Regulations filed through March 20, 2024
(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; or
5. 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; or
2. 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.
O.C.G.A.
§§
45-20-3, 45-20-3.1, 45-20-4;
§
45-20-1.
