130. Duration Classes

Introduction

A duration class is a permanent, civil service class established to perform specialized work in narrowly defined and specifically identified projects or studies that have an estimated completion or termination date, after which the project ends and the duration class is abolished.

Characteristics of Duration Classes

  • The duration of the project is typically between nine months and four years, but may extend beyond this time frame.
  • The work tasks and responsibilities do not represent ongoing work for the department and are not likely to be continued beyond a time frame that has been estimated by the department.
  • Duration classes differ from other classes in that applicants and incumbents to the class are notified that employment is limited to the duration of the project, after which the positions will be eliminated from State service.

Type of Appointment

Position tenure is largely based on the anticipated duration of the particular position.

  • Duration class positions must be filled through permanent appointments when the positions are needed for more than two years. The appointment must be made on a permanent basis because temporary and limited-term appointments cannot exceed two years.
  • If the position is anticipated to last for two years or less, it is usually filled using a limited-term appointment.
  • If a project ends within a two-year time frame and the incumbent is designated limited term, employment may be terminated immediately. DPA Rule 599.843 also stipulates limited-term employees must be laid off before permanent State civil service employees in the same class in the area of layoff.
  • When a project terminates after a two-year time frame and the project duration employees are designated permanent, the department must comply with the appropriate layoff provisions for these employees. DPA describes these provisions in the Layoff Manual. If the affected employees are rank-and-file, refer to their MOUs, which may contain provisions that supersede the ones in the Layoff Manual.

The State Personnel Board Item Process

When preparing the SPB Item, the rationale for developing a project duration class must be described in Part B, Classification Considerations. The analysis should include the following items:

  • Brief discussion of the project or study that will be conducted by the project duration class(es).
  • Description of the purpose, duties, and responsibilities of the duration class(es).
  • An analysis of why existing civil service classes do not meet the need for the project’s operational needs.

The Cover Memo for the SPB Item must include the following information:

  • Summary of Issues – A brief description of the need for the project duration class and an estimated completion date, if known.
  • Recommendations – Include recommendations that identify both the name of the class or class series to be established and the name of the project or projects within the specific agency, and the title of the class specification to be designated for the project.

    Here are sample recommendations:

    That the (class title) class be established for the (project title) Projects within the (name of agency/department), and

    That the specification for the (class title) class(es) be designated for the project.

At the end of the project tenure, the classes must be abolished through SPB action. Resolution language should read: That the class of (title) be abolished. (For references to layoff provisions affecting employees in project duration classes, see “ Types of Appointment,” earlier in this section.)