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A Biennial Report on the State's Position Classification Plan

October 2008

Report Number 09-701

Overall Conclusion

Prior to each legislative session, the State Auditor's Office's State Classification Team has a statutory responsibility to conduct a review of the State's Position Classification Plan (Plan), which provides the salary structure for 146,441 full-time classified employees within the State (excluding employees at higher education institutions and legislative agencies). This review is done to determine the competitiveness of the Plan with similar positions in the private and public sector.

The State Classification Team conducts a market analysis to determine (1) the average pay, or going rate, for positions in the market and (2) whether state job classifications and corresponding salary ranges are competitive. In situations in which the salary ranges are no longer competitive or equitable, changes may be needed to update the Plan. Without these changes, state agencies may face an increased risk of turnover and the inability to compete for and retain qualified employees.

Results indicate that the Plan overall provides appropriate salary ranges for the majority of positions. However, the recommended changes will keep the Plan current, flexible, and equitable for the state agencies using it. These recommended changes include:

- Revising Salary Schedules A and B.

- Moving 395 job classifications to a higher minimum salary group.

- Adding 79 new job classifications to the Plan.

- Making other technical updates and changes, such as title changes and deletions.

The minimum estimated cost to state agencies of implementing these changes would be approximately $33.5 million for the 2010-2011 biennium. If these recommendations are approved by the Legislature, state agencies will be required to implement them. As a result, the Legislature may want to consider assisting state agencies with funding to address these changes. Agencies may also incur additional costs to cover salary adjustments that are above and beyond these minimal changes.

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