Classification integrates with staffing at AFPC operating locations Published Feb. 27, 2012 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The Air Force Personnel Center centralized Air Force Materiel Command large civilian center classification teams with the AFPC operating locations Feb. 26, officials announced. Classification teams remain in place at each location to provide on-site support to commanders and managers. Operating location staffing teams already work closely with base and command leaders on personnel issues, said Michelle LoweSolis, AFPC Civilian Force Integration director. "Centralizing the classification function is the logical next step to eliminate redundancies and implement efficiency measures," said LoweSolis. "Standardizing practices and procedures enables personnel specialists to begin measuring quantifiable areas, identify trends, trouble-shoot problems and equip customers to be more productive." In addition to the classification OL centralization, AFPC will assume the classification workload from four other installations this spring: Hanscom AFB, Mass., Feb. 26; Kirtland AFB, N.M., March 11; Edwards AFB, Calif.; March 25; and Eglin AFB, Fla., April 8. "Classification is the foundation of civilian employment, as it determines the compensation value of the position" said Debbie Bell, AFPC Classification Division chief. "Classifying a position means assigning a pay plan, title, series and grade to a set of duties, Bell explained. "It also involves assessing position difficulty, responsibility and qualifications required for the position. It takes research, experience and significant interaction with management for a position to be classified." A time-consuming aspect of that process is the manager's role in developing position descriptions, but standard core personnel documents can simplify that task and reduce the time required to fill an open position. The SCPD library already exists on the Air Force Portal, according to Bell, and hiring officials should look first to that library before they attempt to write a PD from scratch. "Using the SCPD library is one way hiring managers can speed up the position fill process," Bell said. "The PDs are standardized descriptions of duties and responsibilities applicable to Air Force positions. Provided they fit the local work situation, hiring officials can select one and press on to the next step in the hiring process," she said. For more information about classification and other personnel issues, visit the Air Force Personnel Services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.