ARTICLE 31
POSITION CLASSIFICATION

SECTION 1 - GENERAL

The primary purpose of the job description is for
classification and pay purposes, but it also serves as a tool for
organizing work and informing employees of the principal duties,
responsibilities, and supervisory relationships of their
positions.

SECTION 2 - PERFORMANCE OF OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED

When the sentence "Performs other duties as assigned" (or
similar wording) is used in a position description, it will
normally mean tasks which are reasonably related to the position
and are of an incidental nature. Duties unrelated to the
position may be assigned on an infrequent basis to accomplish the
work of the Agency. We agree that the right to assign duties,
unrelated to the position, will not be abused. The Agency will
consider the employee's qualifications when making such
assignments.

SECTION 3 - EMPLOYEE REQUEST TO REVIEW JOB DESCRIPTION

An employee may request a review of the title, series, grade,
or pay category (i.e., GS or WG) of the position to which he or
she is presently assigned. The request for review will be
initiated in accordance with applicable regulations. Regulatory
guidance on requesting a review can be obtained from the Human
Resources Directorate.

SECTION 4 - REPRESENTATION

Employees are entitled to a representative when preparing or
presenting a written classification appeal.

SECTION 5 - SURVEYS

A. The Agency shall provide the Union with information on
occupational surveys to be conducted by the Agency or being
conducted as a result of OPM direction, OPM issuance of a
proposed Government-wide classification standard, or development
by the Agency of a supplemental classification guideline in
accordance with the OPM position classification standards.

B. When a classification survey involves bargaining unit
employees, the Union is permitted to have an observer present at
the opening of the survey. Only an appropriate representative
from the unit being surveyed, who has been designated to
represent the Union, shall be permitted to attend survey openings
on official time when they would otherwise be in a duty status.
The Agency will not pay travel and/or per diem expenses for Union
representatives. The supervisors and the Union will be notified
in advance of classification survey openings.

C. Following the classification survey and determination of
its findings, the Union will be advised of the results by the
Human Resources Directorate. The Union will not disclose
confidential or privileged information obtained.

D. Concurrently, the Union President and the employee will
be furnished a copy of any Notice of Adverse Action given to an
employee that is caused by change in the classification of the
employee's position.

SECTION 6 - UNION RECOMMENDED CHANGES

The Union may at any time initiate recommendations for change
in classification standards for a particular category of
positions. Appropriate representatives of the Agency and the
Union will meet to discuss the facts pertaining to the
recommendations. Any formal recommendations of this nature will
be submitted in writing and shall include full justification for
the recommended change.

SECTION 7 - DIFFERENTIAL PAY

Environmental differential pay shall be paid to any employee
who is exposed to a hazard, physical hardship, or those working
conditions as authorized by applicable laws, rules, and
regulations.

SECTION 8 - ACCRETION OF DUTIES

Positions that are upgraded due to accretion of additional
duties may be filled in accordance with the Merit Promotion
Article of this Agreement.