Position Classification Specialist

DRT Strategies; Silver Spring (MD); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

DRT Strategies, Inc. seeks specialists to provide professional position classification support services to federal agencies, ensuring accurate PDs, proper series and grade determinations, and continuous quality control across FDA centers and programs.

The role requires adapting OPM classification standards, drafting PDs, and delivering data-driven reporting to support strategic workforce initiatives and regulatory compliance.

Qualifications

• Experience with classification policies, standards and compliance.
• Experience delivering comprehensive classification services to government agencies.
• Excellent organization and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Consultation Phase: Schedule and conduct pre-consultation meetings with Centers, Offices, and Programs to gather information necessary to classify positions.
• PD Review and Development Phase: Review existing PDs and draft new or revised PDs per OPM and FDA classification standards; ensure PDs reflect duties and qualifications.
• Classification Determination Phase: Apply OPM standards to determine appropriate series, title, grade and pay plan; document decisions with written rationale.
• Classification Review and Appeals Support Phase: Support the review of classification determinations upon request.
• Desk Audit Support Phase: Coordinate and conduct desk audits to verify PD accuracy and support determinations.
• Records and Audit File Maintenance Phase: Audit completed packages and maintain case files per records retention schedules.
• Continuous Communication & Quality Control: Conduct quality reviews to ensure compliance and respond to inquiries with timely status updates.

Skills

Classification policies & compliance

Government consulting

Written communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Job description

Overview

DRT Strategies delivers expert management consulting and information technology (IT) solutions to large federal agencies, state and local government and commercial clients in health care, technology, and financial services industries. The three letters of our name, DRT, stand for Driving Resolution Together, which is the core philosophy on which the company was founded. That is, we collaborate with our clients to solve their most pressing challenges - together. We are problem solvers dedicated to your success, combining Fortune 500 experience with small business responsiveness. We have established a reputation with our clients as a forward-thinking consulting firm with demonstrated success in implementing solutions that lead to meaningful results. Our world-class consultants unite people to work collaboratively to achieve project goals and make vision a reality.

Project Description

The purpose of this project is to secure professional position classification support services that enable the agency to eliminate classification backlogs, ensure accurate and compliant position descriptions, and optimize workforce capacity. The Contractor staff shall provide high-quality operational support to directly advance the agency's core strategic initiatives: achieving accurate classification results, optimizing agency staff utilization, improving planning and transparency, and promoting continuous regulatory compliance across all FDA centers and programs.

Job Summary

The Contractor staff shall ensure the following outcomes are achieved throughout the period of performance to support the agency's strategic goals:

• Accelerated Classification Execution: Complete classification packages and process classification actions across government-approved standard operating timelines to rapidly achieve classification results.
• Reporting & Operational Transparency: Submit regular, data-driven progress and reports to improve planning and cost accountability.

Responsibilities

• Pre-Consultation Phase: Schedule and conduct pre-consultation meetings with Centers, Offices, and Programs to gather organizational and mission-related information necessary to classify positions accurately.
• Position Description (PD) Review and Development Phase: Review existing position descriptions and draft new or revised PDs in accordance with OPM classification standards, FDA classification guidance, and applicable pay plans. Ensure PDs accurately reflect the duties, responsibilities, and qualifications of each position.
• Classification Determination Phase: Apply OPM classification standards, including the Introduction to the Position Classification Standards and applicable Functional Classification Standards, to determine the appropriate occupational series, title, grade, and pay plan for each position. Document classification decisions with written rationale and evaluation statements.
• Classification Review and Appeals Support Phase: Support the review of classification determinations upon request.
• Desk Audit Support Phase: Coordinate and conduct desk audits as needed to verify the accuracy of position descriptions and support classification determinations. Document desk audit findings and incorporate results into final classification decisions.
• Records and Audit File Maintenance Phase: Audit completed classification packages and maintain classification case files—including PDs, evaluation statements, and supporting documentation—in accordance with agency records retention schedules and OPM requirements.
• Continuous Communication & Quality Control: Conduct quality reviews on all classification products (position descriptions, evaluation statements, and classification determinations) to ensure compliance with OPM, HHS, and FDA regulations. Respond to management and stakeholder inquiries regarding classification actions and provide timely status updates throughout the classification lifecycle.

Required Experience

• Experience with classification policies, standards, and compliance, as well as in position management and recruitment.
• Experience delivering comprehensive classification services to government agencies.
• Excellent organization and written communication.

Education & Training

• Bachelor’s Degree

Work Authorization, Clearance Requirement, & Additional Information

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Public Trust clearance. Due to contract requirements, candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (green card holders) to be eligible.
• No agencies, third parties, or Corp-to-Corp submissions.

Salary Range

• $100,000-130,000
• Salary commensurate with experience.

DRT Strategies, Inc. (DRT) follows the guidelines outlined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to provide all employees and qualified applicants employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities will be provided. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Human Resources by emailing [e-mail], or by dialing 571-482-2517. For additional information, please review the Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal, E-Verify (English), E-Verify (Spanish). Right to Work (English), Right to Work (Spanish). Please be aware of recruitment fraud where malicious individuals might pose as DRT Strategies. Only job postings and emails from drtstrategies.com are authentic and legitimate communications regarding DRT Strategies employment opportunities. Please contact Human Resources at [e-mail] if you believe you have received a fraudulent email.