# Federal Wage System Classification Course (Self-Paced)

Canonical URL: <https://training.sdfm.org/courses/federal-wage-system-classification-course-self-paced>

## Overview

Gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities classifiers need to do their work successfully. The focus of this course is on helping participants develop competence in applying Federal Wage System (WG, WL, and WS) job grading standards. While complete proficiency comes only with time and practice, this practical course provides a solid foundation in Federal Wage System (FWS) classification through both instruction and practice. This course is offered only in a live virtual format.

## What you'll learn

- Discuss the history of the federal job grading system.
- Discuss the four components that make up the federal job grading system.
- Describe the primary reference for the job-grading system.
- Understand how to determine grade-level differences when evaluating Federal Wage System (FWS) positions.
- Apply the job grading procedures to evaluate FWS positions, including both nonsupervisory and supervisory jobs.

## Prerequisites

Students should have prior experience reviewing federal position descriptions, understanding basic job classification concepts, and applying evaluation criteria to assess skills, responsibilities, working conditions, and physical effort in trade, craft, or labor positions.

## Curriculum

#### Module 1: Federal Job Grading System

- Explore the history and purpose of the Federal Wage System (FWS)
- Understand the structure and components of the job grading system
- Compare FWS with the General Schedule classification system
- Review FWS coding plans and pay categories (WG, WL, WS)

#### Module 2: Job Grading Standards

- Understand the structure and purpose of job grading standards
- Learn the four key grading factors: skill/knowledge, responsibility, physical effort, working conditions
- Analyze standard sections: work covered, not covered, titles, and notes to users

#### Module 3: Applying Job Grading Standards

- Learn the five-step job grading evaluation method
- Chart and compare job duties against grade-level definitions
- Apply factor-based analysis to determine correct grades

#### Module 4: Applying Trades Helper and Intermediate Standards

- Identify when to use helper or intermediate standards
- Understand the grading process for developmental positions
- Apply standards to evaluate progression toward journey-level work

#### Module 5: Applying Wage Leader and Wage Supervisor Standards

- Differentiate roles of managers, supervisors, and leaders in FWS
- Apply criteria for WL and WS job grading standards
- Evaluate supervisory responsibility, level of work, and scope of operations

## Pricing

**Tuition:** $1049