United States
Office of Personnel Management




Office of Merit Systems Oversight and Effectiveness
Digest of Significant Classification Decisions and Opinions
December 2001
Article No. 27-07


Standard:General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide (June 1998)
Factor:	N/A
Issue:	Coverage of the General Schedule Leader Grade Evaluation Guide 
(GSLGEG)

Identification of the Classification Issue

The appellant was a team leader over personnel management specialists on 
program evaluation reviews.  He believed that his position should be evaluated by 
application of the GSLGEG.

Resolution

The appellant was responsible for designing the evaluation methodology to 
accomplish the objectives of the review, providing technical guidance to team 
members, and assessing team performance to provide input to the first-line 
supervisor.  He made team assignments, stayed abreast of the status and progress 
of work being performed, set deadlines and work requirements, provided specific 
instructions for completing work, reviewed and edited written work products, and 
represented the team in obtaining needed supplies and resources.

OPM found that the appellant’s position should not be classified using the 
GSLGEG.  The GSLGEG is applicable to positions that have responsibility for a 
permanently assigned group of employees over whom both technical and 
administrative leadership responsibilities are performed on a continuing basis.  
The GSLGEG specifically excludes positions that have functional “project” 
responsibility but do not lead other workers on a continuing basis.  

While the appellant spent a considerable amount of time performing in a 
leadership role vis-à-vis other employees, his work in this role was clearly project-
driven.  The appellant did not have continuing responsibility for leading a 
permanently assigned group of employees.  Rather, he led ad hoc teams that were 
formed to conduct specific reviews.  He was assigned and designated as team 
leader for some reviews, and served as team member on others.  Decisions as to 
the constitution of the teams were made by the first-line supervisor when the 
teams were formed, based on such factors as availability of staff, past experience, 
and complexity of the assignment.  Thus, while the appellant performed some 
duties similar to those of a team leader, those duties did not meet the criteria for 
classification under the GSLGEG.  OPM classified the position using the 
appropriate standard for the appellant’s technical work.


Link to C-0201-13-03


Digest of Significant Classification Decisions and Opinions, No. 27, December 2001