Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is classification?
Classification is simply the process of ensuring that positions that are sufficiently alike are grouped together in the same class.

2. What is a class?
A class is a designated group of positions similar with respect to their duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and level of difficulty of work. All positions in a class are assigned the same class title, class specification, pay schedule, and grade.

The following are examples of classes in the Baltimore County Public Schools system: Cafeteria Manager I, Stock Keeper, Accountant II, Plumber I, Clerk III, and Personnel Assistant.

3. What is a class specification?
A class specification is the official document that provides the title, purpose, minimum qualifications, and essential functions for a class of positions.

4. What is the difference between a class specification and a job description?
A class specification is a broad description of functions that may be performed by employees in the same class. A job description is a detailed description of what an individual does in course of their work.  For example, a class specification may state “maintains spreadsheets and databases” while a job description may state “enters and maintains student attendance data in the STARS database”.  Job descriptions include the purpose for each function performed by the position.

5. How is the classification of a position determined?
In the classification process, positions are compared with the current class specifications. Positions are assigned to the class whose class specification most closely defines the various aspects of the position’s work.

It is the position that is analyzed in classification. The personal attributes, qualifications, and capabilities of the employee are not considered in classification determinations. Similarly, classification is not a means to recognize outstanding employees or to give pay raises to those who have reached the top of their pay schedule or grade.

6. Can I request that the Office of Classification conduct a review of my position?
Yes. To request a classification review, an employee must complete Part I of the Position Content Questionnaire (PCQ) and submit this form to his or her immediate supervisor. The PCQ is processed by the employee’s department and then forwarded to the Office of Classification.

The PCQ form, as well as the instructions for its use, is available on this website.

7. When are classification reviews conducted?
Position classification reviews may be conducted twice yearly, spring and fall. Questionnaires for the fall review must be received by the Office of Classification by October 31 and for the spring review by May 31.

8. What is a reclassification?
A reclassification is the assignment of a position to a different class as a result of a classification review.

A position may be assigned to a class of a higher grade, a class of the same grade, or a class of a lower grade.

9 . How is an employee’s salary affected if his or her position is reclassified?
Reclassifications to a higher grade may impact the incumbent's salary as follows: if the position's new class is one grade higher than the class held by the position immediately prior to its reclassification, then the employee will be granted a pay increase equivalent to a one-step increase, or, if the new class is two or more grades higher, the employee will be granted a pay increase equivalent to a two-step increase.

10. What is the difference between classification and compensation management?
At its most basic, classification is the placement of positions into designated groups called classes. Compensation management refers to the assignment of those classes to pay grades.

The Baltimore County Public Schools reviews the grade assignments of classes annually to ensure that they continue to provide for the fair and equitable compensation of current employees and the recruitment of qualified applicants. This is separate from the classification process.

Changes to the grade assignments of classes are considered as part of the operating budget formulation and implementation process. Resulting grade changes are generally made effective on July 1, the start of the fiscal year.