Title: Federal HR Classification Specialist (Full-time)
Location: Washington, DC (On-site Position)
We are looking for passionate, experienced Federal HR Classification Specialists who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. This is a remote role supporting a key federal client engagement.
As part of GovStrive's Managed Services support, the Classification Specialist will provide expert technical services in the classification of a wide range of positions across the federal workforce, with a specialized focus on roles within training institutions and administrative/support functions.
Responsibilities:- Develop technically sound, authoritative position descriptions aligned with OPM classification standards and organizational needs.
- Conduct interviews and desk audits with managers, supervisors, and employees to validate duties, reporting relationships, and complexity of work.
- Draft clear, well-supported evaluation statements and classification determinations that are accurate and defensible.
- Review and provide expert feedback on position descriptions and classification decisions prepared by others; ensure consistency and quality.
- Serve as a technical advisor to management on complex classification and position management issues, including organizational design and workforce alignment.
- Analyze organizational structures and recommend improvements to enhance efficiency, eliminate redundancy, and ensure proper position alignment.
- Assess and interpret OPM classification standards, laws, regulations, and new guidance for application to classification scenarios.
- Provide guidance on compliance with classification policies, including Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) determinations.
- Conduct organizational reviews, classification consistency evaluations, and benchmarking studies across functions.
- Support and adjudicate classification reviews, reconsiderations, and appeals with thorough documentation and analysis.
- Prepare reports, findings, and recommendations for HR leadership or management on classification and position management matters.
- Develop and deliver training or briefings to managers on position classification, position description development, and best practices.
- Collaborate with HR partners (e.g., staffing, workforce planning) to align classification decisions with strategic workforce objectives.
- Ensure accuracy and integrity of classification data in HR systems; analyze data to identify trends and systemic issues.
- Participate in or lead special projects, studies, and initiatives related to classification, organizational design, or workforce management.
- Promote consistency, internal controls, and adherence to merit system principles in all classification actions.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior HR staff or classification specialists.
- Lead classification support for organizational restructures and realignments, assessing workforce impacts and ensuring positions are properly structured, classified, and aligned to mission requirements.
Required Qualifications:- Minimum of 10 years of federal position classification experience, including recent work with OPM Position Classification Standards.
- Demonstrated experience writing position descriptions and evaluation statements independently and at a senior level.
- At least 5 years of classification experience specific to positions in a federal training institution or center, such as instructors, curriculum developers, instructional systems designers, and other trainer roles - distinct from employee development or general HR training program roles.
- Deep understanding of the functional responsibilities, complexities, and classification requirements of training-focused roles in mission-driven federal environments.
- Proven experience classifying a broad range of administrative and support positions common to the federal government, including HR, budget, IT, support services, and clerical/program support roles.
- Ability to conduct audits, position reviews, and classification studies with limited direction.
- Strong analytical, research, and writing skills to develop defensible and high-quality classification documentation.
- Experience supporting or leading classification efforts during organizational restructures, realignments, or mission changes.
- Knowledge of HR information systems and ability to maintain, analyze, and validate classification data.
