Standard:	Legal Instruments Examining, GS-963 (January 1992)

Although OPM agreed with the series determination made by the agency, we disagreed with their designation for Factor 2. The agency credited the position with Level 2-3, where the employee independently performs complete examining functions and handles problems and deviations according to policies and instructions. At Level 2-4, the employee is delegated commitment authority and takes final disposition action, not subject to further technical review. OPM found that the appellant was considered the technical expert, had signature authority for debts up to $20,000, and her recommendations to waive or not waive a debt were accepted as final. Therefore, OPM credited the position with Level 2-4 and found it was properly classified as GS-963-9.

Program analysis work includes such functions as developing life cycle cost analyses, analyzing new or proposed legislation or regulations, researching new or improved business and management practices, developing data required for program management, and evaluating agency functions being considered for conversion to contracting operations. By its nature, the work is typically a staff function. Work that involves the performance or delivery of the organization's line program operations or services would not normally be classified in the GS-343 series.

Link to C-0963-09-01