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Position Classification Flysheet for
Logistics Management Series,
GS-
Table of Contents
SERIES DEFINITION.................................................................................................................................... 2
SERIES COVERAGE ................................................................................................................................... 2
EXCLUSIONS ............................................................................................................................................... 4
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT AND OTHER OCCUPATIONS.................... 4
AUTHORIZED TITLES ................................................................................................................................. 8
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................................................... 8
GRADING POSITIONS............................................................................................................................... 14
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM*^ ............................................................................................................ 15
SERIES DEFINITION
This series covers positions concerned with directing, developing, or performing logistics management operations that involve planning, coordinating, or evaluating the logistical actions required to support a specified mission, weapons system, or other designated program. The work involves (1) identifying the specific requirements for money, manpower, material, facilities, and services needed to support the program and (2) correlating those requirements with program plans to assure that the needed support is provided at the right time and place. Logistics work requires (1) knowledge of agency program planning, funding, and management information systems, (2) broad knowledge of the organization and functions of activities involved in providing logistical support, and (3) ability to coordinate and evaluate the efforts of functional specialists to identify specific requirements and to develop and adjust plans and schedules for the actions needed to meet each requirement on time.
Positions in this series require some degree of specialized knowledge of some or all of the logistics support activities involved. The paramount qualification requirement, however, is the ability to integrate the separate functions in planning or implementing a logistics management program. (Positions in which specialized knowledges of logistics support functions are the paramount requirement are classified to whichever specialized or general series is most appropriate.)
(This standard supersedes the series coverage standard for the Logistics Management Series, GS-0346, issued in June 1972.)
SERIES COVERAGE
The primary responsibilities of logistics management specialists are:
-- To identify all activities that will be involved in providing needed logistical support;
-- To integrate the actions required of each activity into a comprehensive logistics plan in support of or to be incorporated into overall program plans;
-- To monitor progress toward meeting the logistics plan and to identify the cause and impact of delays or other problems (varying degrees of responsibility for taking actions to prevent or overcome such problems may also be included);
-- To adjust plans and schedules for all related actions as required by delays or changes to logistics requirements; and
-- To evaluate plans for and provision of logistical support for feasibility, efficiency, and economy, and to develop alternatives when required.
EXCLUSIONS
The following types of positions are excluded from this series:
- Positions which require the qualifications of a professional engineer. Such positions are classified to whichever specialized or general series in the Engineering and Architecture Group, GS-0800, best represents the engineering discipline required.
- Positions which have as their paramount qualification requirement a substantive specialized knowledge of one or more supply occupations. Such positions are to be classified to whichever general or specialized series in the Supply Group, GS-2000, will best identify the knowledges and skills required.
- Positions for which the primary duties are to supervise, direct, plan, and coordinate a variety of service functions that are principally work supporting. Such positions are to be classified to the Support Services Administration Series, GS-0342.
- Positions which involve analyzing current or proposed operating programs to evaluate their actual or potential effectiveness in achieving objectives, when the primary qualification requirements are analytical ability and knowledge of a program other than logistics management. Such positions are classified to the Management and Program Analysis Series, GS-0343.
- Positions which involve examining or studying work processes, and devising methods, procedures, organizational arrangements, and related matters for the purpose of improving the effectiveness and economy of work programs or organizations. Such positions, while similar to logistics management positions in methodology, do not require knowledge of specialized logistics functional programs, and are classified to the Management and Program Analysis Series, GS-0343.
- Positions which involve two-grade interval administrative work for which no other more specialized series is appropriate. Such positions are classified to the Miscellaneous Administration and Program Series, GS-0301.
DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT AND
OTHER OCCUPATIONS
Occasionally, a review of the duties and responsibilities assigned to a position may not result in information explicit enough to determine proper series allocation. In such cases it becomes necessary to consider such additional factors as the qualification requirements and sources of recruitment, the line of progression, the mission of the organization in which the position is located, the purpose for which the position was established, and the character and support requirements of the mission, weapon system, or program being supported.
Some positions which require extensive coordination and interrelationship with numerous logistics functions may initially appear to be properly classified to the Logistics Management Series. Analysis of such positions, however, often leads to the determination that the paramount qualification requirement is possession of the knowledges, skills, and abilities identified with a specialized functional series.
Engineering
Professional engineers are often found in organizations which have missions oriented toward the planning and management of logistics operations. This is particularly true in organizations which are involved in acquisition logistics and Integrated Logistics Support. Work involving the performance of duties which require the qualifications of a professional engineer in addition to carrying out logistics management responsibilities should be classified to whichever series in the Engineering and Architecture Group, GS-0800, best represents the engineering discipline required. Conversely, work which is sometimes highly technical in nature, such as translating design and engineering data into logistics support concepts and determining subsequent requirements, but which does not require the knowledges, skills, and abilities of a professional engineer, is logistics management work. This work is to be classified to the Logistics Management Series, GS-0346, even though it is being performed by an employee who meets the qualification requirements of a professional engineer.
Equipment Specialist
Some work requires the application of an in depth technical knowledge of a weapon system, subsystem, or piece of equipment in combination with a working knowledge of a variety of logistics support functions. For example, work of this type may involve the development of technical data or the evaluation of contractor developed operation and repair manuals. When the paramount requirement for such work is a technical knowledge of equipment and its inner workings, it should be classified to the Equipment Services Series, GS-1670.
Other work, such as that involving responsibility for the coordination of all the functions needed to provide support to a weapon system or type of equipment, may typically require only a general working knowledge of the system or equipment. This type of knowledge can generally be learned on the job. When this is true, the work is properly classified to the Logistics Management Series.
Supply Management
The supply occupations are sometimes confused with logistics management. Supply work involves furnishing all types of supplies, equipment, material, and property (except real estate), necessary to support a weapon system, program, or mission. Supply activities range from the initial identification of requirements to the ultimate issue of items for disposal. Supply work exists at many different levels of an agency's organizational structure. In a staff capacity, supply specialists analyze, develop, evaluate, and plan supply systems and programs with the goal of assuring that the necessary items are in the right place at the right time to meet required needs. Other supply specialists are concerned with the management, direction, or administration of a
In contrast, logistics management involves activities which support the overall requirements of a weapon system, such as a helicopter, a class of ships, a group of aircraft engines, or a group of electronic systems. This work involves not only the coordination of material or supply requirements for the assigned system, but also a concern for other functions such as maintenance planning, securing adequate facilities for maintenance, managing support agreements, and reviewing performance data to determine budgetary requirements. Such work requires a general knowledge of inventory management as well as other logistics support functions in order to integrate, coordinate, and analyze total support requirements. (This work is discussed in greater detail in the "Occupational Information" section of this standard under the heading of "System Management.")
Some inventory management work involves considerable contact with other functional activities similar to the contacts maintained by logistics management specialists. These contacts are necessary to the coordination of material support requirements. The assumption should not be made that the presence of such contacts automatically indicates a logistics management position. The keys to series determination are (1) the nature of the qualifications required to do the job, and (2) the line of progression to other positions. Inventory managers are primarily concerned with meeting material support requirements, and logistics managers are primarily concerned with planning for and coordinating material and other support requirements into an overall support effort.
Support Services Administration
Work which involves providing support for organizations and employees primarily in an administrative or office environment should not be confused with logistics management work. Responsibility for coordinating with or supervising numerous functions and activities engaged in obtaining office supplies, procuring equipment and services, arranging travel, managing an administrative motor pool, planning for the utilization of space, and other similar functions is properly classified to the Support Services Administration Series, GS-0342.
Program Analysis
Both program analysis work and logistics management work require the ability to effectively apply analytical principles and techniques combined with knowledge of operating programs and their interrelationships. In addition, logistics management work involves the application of a specialized knowledge and understanding of logistics support requirements and mission or program goals. Some logistics management positions are assigned such responsibilities as analyzing the relationships of logistics programs, developing and evaluating long- and short-range support plans and policies, and coordinating overall logistics planning with the specialized logistics functions.
Typically, such positions are filled by persons who have had experience in logistics management and/or in one or more of the specialized logistics functions. The Management and Program Analysis Series, GS-343, excludes positions which require subject matter knowledges classifiable to another series. Therefore, when there is an identifiable qualification requirement
for the knowledges, skills, and abilities covered by the Logistics Management Series, that series is to be used.
AUTHORIZED TITLES
LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST is the title for nonsupervisory positions covered by this series.
SUPERVISORY LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST is the title for positions covered by this series which meet the criteria for titling as supervisors under the General Schedule Supervisory Guide.
LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT OFFICER is the title for supervisory positions with responsibility for planning, organizing, and directing an overall logistics program. Such positions will be few in number and will typically be senior positions located at the headquarters level of a military department, command, and/or installation, or at the headquarters or regional level of a civilian department or agency.
OCCUPATIONAL INFORMATION
Logistics management work involves the coordination and integration of numerous activities and functions into an overall efficient and effective support effort. Depending upon the mission or program being supported, these activities may include such specializations as supply, maintenance, procurement, transportation, inventory management, quality assurance, facilities and property management, production control, and property disposal. Some logistics work also involves such activities as housing management, food services, and management of test equipment. Logistics management work also typically involves such other specialized activities as resource and fiscal management, training, automated data processing, and manpower management. The degree of involvement in any one or a combination of these functional specializations is dependent upon the purpose for which the logistics work is accomplished and the specific requirements of a particular position. Characteristic of all logistics management work, however, is the overriding requirement to coordinate the activities of the individual functional areas into a unified program which will meet total support requirements.
Logistics work is performed in numerous organizational structures and at various levels within an agency or department. In the military establishment, logistics management work is carried out to support many different kinds of missions, defense related programs, and weapon systems. Because of the wide diversity among logistics programs and their individual requirements, this standard does not attempt to describe all of the situations in which logistics work is performed. However, discussed below are some of the more typical kinds of logistics programs in which logistics management specialists are found.
The ILS manager plays a role in a system's development from the earliest stages and continues this involvement through the subsequent stages of acquisition and transfer into operational use. The manager's responsibilities include developing logistic concepts during the earlier stages, developing the ILS Plan, assuring that commitments are fulfilled, coordinating the resolution of support deficiencies, and analyzing support effectiveness.
Foreign Military Sales
The sale to a foreign government by the United States of a defense system requires extensive planning, analysis, and coordination. The logistics work performed to accomplish such a sale is referred to as foreign military sales work, security assistance, or international logistics. The sale item may be a weapon system such as an aircraft, missile system, or tank. Depending upon the requirements of the foreign country, the sale may also include the provision of such services as training, facilities, and long- or short-range support.
Foreign military sales work is usually carried out on a "case" basis. The work involves the analysis of the sale requirements to determine what is needed to provide the item itself (e.g., production requirements), schedules for delivery, price and availability, spare parts needed, training required, specific purposes for the system's use, facilities required, test equipment needed for support, and types and levels of maintenance required. These determinations are based on information which is gathered from functional and program specialists in such areas as supply, production, inventory management, procurement, maintenance, transportation, training, and funding. Schedules for delivery of items and services are planned to assure that sufficient time is allowed to meet preset deadlines. In conjunction with financial management specialists, decisions are made on the level of funds that must be maintained by the foreign government in the sale account and how those funds will be managed. Additionally, the work involves coordination with military advisory groups both in the foreign country and in the United States concerning available facilities, local maintenance and supply capabilities, manpower resources, and other support needs available in the country.
The progress of sales activities is monitored through formal and informal reports and through contacts with foreign representatives, U. S. Government personnel, contractors, and functional specialists. The work involves the identification of problems (e.g., lags in time, insufficient or unavailable spare parts, poor facilities, and ineffective training). Further, it involves the determination of resolutions to these problems and the coordination of ongoing activities with functional and program specialists to assure that deadlines are met; obligations for production and delivery of goods, services, and equipment are met; training is provided; and payment is made.
The coordination and fulfillment of the sales case requirements often necessitate travel to the foreign country for negotiations and discussions of sale requirements and problems. Often these visits are for the purpose of evaluating local facilities and support capabilities. Based on an analysis of the data gathered, determinations are made on the necessity for further planning and future action on material and service requirements, mission requirements and changes, and other modifications needed because of local customs, security, environment, and political, social, and economic implications.
The work requires monitoring the status of requisitions through supply channels, control points, and ports to assure that delivery schedules are met. It also requires monitoring the flow of funds from the foreign country and determining the necessity for allotment changes when prices change, and compiling and analyzing data concerning the management of these funds. As in most types of logistics work, foreign military sales work often requires the formal presentation of information concerning the sale, i.e., status of sale activities, problems encountered, and potential impact of proposed actions.
Typically, logistics management specialists involved in foreign military sales work must develop an awareness and understanding of the influences that political, social, and economic conditions in the foreign country may have on various aspects of the sale. They must demonstrate tact and diplomacy in their relationships with foreign government representatives.
System Management
System management work involves responsibility for the coordination and analysis of the total support required by a weapon system, subsystem, or group of like systems, e.g., tank, electronic test equipment, helicopter, class of ships. Logistics management specialists who perform this type of logistics work are often functionally called "system managers." System management work which is classifiable to the GS-0346 series should not be confused with work covered by the Inventory Management Series, GS-2010, which is primarily oriented toward the material requirements of a system.
System management work is typically found in organizations responsible for logistics support of systems which have passed the acquisition stage and are in operational use. The work requires frequent interaction with the users (often referred to as customers) of the system in the field to identify problems, deficiencies, and user capabilities and needs. System managers are involved in such activities as developing information which leads to decisions on which facilities will be used for maintenance of the system, planning for and negotiating inter- and intra-service support agreements, analyzing performance data to identify additional training needs, securing repair parts from other activities, making adjustments in support scheduling, analyzing work-hour requirements to recommend the most economical use of financial resources, and identifying possible "trade offs" to satisfy requirements.
The work requires continuing contacts with contractors, design personnel, maintenance facilities, personnel in other agencies, and agency or major command headquarters staff to coordinate efforts to satisfy support needs. System managers develop, analyze, and maintain management information (e.g., reports, automated data) which serves as the basis for decision concerning the use of and support provided to the system.
The system manager serves generally as the focal point within the agency, command, or support center for the most immediate information and expertise on problems and requirements of the assigned system or group of systems, with responsibility for assuring the coordination of whatever support is required for full operational capability.
Intra-service support agreements are established between commands, installations, depots, or units. They may be as limited as the provision of vehicle maintenance in one geographical area or as extensive as the provision of total logistic support for a large tenant activity on an installation. Inter- and intra-service support agreements are designed to assure maximum efficiency and economy in logistic support. The management of such agreements involves the identification of support requirements, an analysis of an organization's capacity to meet these requirements, the development of guidelines to assure that the objectives of the agreement are reached, and in some cases, the actual negotiation of the agreement. The work requires the compilation and evaluation of performance data, the identification of problems and deficiencies and the development of recommendations for their resolution, and the analysis of long- and short-range logistic planning to determine future needs, objectives, and capabilities. (Excluded from coverage by the Logistics Management Series are those positions responsible only for coordinating the preparation of inter- and intra-service support agreements with no responsibility for the kind of activities mentioned above.)
Logistics Information Systems
Automated data processing systems play a major role in overall logistics program planning and execution. Logistics information systems are designed to provide data which facilitate the activities of logistics functional and program specialties.
The maintenance of logistics information systems requires the logistics management specialist to serve as an "intermediary" between the functional specialties, such as supply and/or maintenance, and the automated data processing function. The work involves assistance and coordination with functional specialists in the identification of operational requirements and the subsequent "translation" of these requirements for information into the language and format appropriate for computerized systems application. The work also involves the analysis of data automation policies, regulations, and procedures to determine their impact on logistics information systems and to identify changes in the maintenance and use of computerized data by functional specialists. The work typically necessitates extensive contact with systems users (i.e., functional specialists) to provide guidance on the design, installation, maintenance, evaluation, documentation, and standardization of requirements and procedures.
The work does not require the logistics management specialist to be a specialist in automated data processing work. The primary requirement is a knowledge and understanding of logistics functions and their operational needs. However, the work does require a practical knowledge of computerized systems' applications and of equipment techniques, capabilities, and limitations sufficient to assure the proper relationship between functional users and the automated data processing systems.
Logistics Plans
The development of plans and strategies for military actions and training exercises includes extensive analysis and planning for the support required. Some logistics work involves the development, review, and evaluation of mobility and contingency plans for defense activities. The work includes analyzing mission objectives to determine the kind and extent of support
required, coordinating with functional specialists to assure adequate provision of manpower, supplies, equipment, and services to meet specific support needs, and evaluating proposed plans for impact and support feasibility. The work requires analyzing and coordinating the support requirements of joint service, higher, and lower echelon strategic plans for specific unit or organizational implementation. Logistics planning specialists often represent their employing activities in joint planning sessions with agency functional and program specialists as well as with personnel of other agencies. Based on evaluations of the support provided during military exercises and other defense related activities, logistics planners identify deficiencies in support planning and performance, make recommendations for resolution, and coordinate the activities necessary to better achieve the goals for mission support.
GRADING POSITIONS
Positions in this occupation must be evaluated by reference to standards which include grade level criteria for analogous kinds of work. The diversity of work covered by this series may require reference to one or more standards, depending upon the exact nature of the position to be classified. When selecting standards for cross-reference, consideration should be given to the similarity of the knowledge and skills required, the methodology used to perform the work, and to some degree the similarity of the subject matter involved.
Logistics management work is typically staff work and requires the application of analytical and problem solving techniques. Therefore, reference to the grade level criteria covering management analysis work will prove useful in many instances. Standards for other kinds of analytical occupations, such as those for the Job Family Position Classification Standard for Professional and Administrative Work in the Accounting and Budget Group, GS-0500, and the Job Family Position Classification Standard for Administrative Work in the Information Technology Group, GS-2200, may also provide useful guidelines.
Other standards which may provide criteria for work related to some logistics management positions include those for the Civil Engineering Series, GS-0810, Part IV; that portion of the standard for the Housing Management Series, GS-1173, which covers housing program evaluation; the Supply Program Management Series, GS-2003; and the Inventory Management Series, GS-2010. For positions involved in acquisition logistics and/or Integrated Logistics Support, the portion of the General Grade-Evaluation Guide for Nonsupervisory Professional Engineering Positions, GS-0800, which covers Type III engineers may provide useful grade level criteria. Caution and sound classification judgment must be exercised, however, when comparing administrative work, (i.e., logistics management) to criteria for an occupation which requires professional knowledges and skills. Logistics management work does not require the same depth of knowledge as that described in standards covering professional engineering work. Therefore, it is important to carefully balance the duties and responsibilities of the logistics management positions with criteria for professional work and make whatever adjustments are appropriate before arriving at a final grade.
As when using any standard for cross series comparison, care and judgment must be used to be sure that the overall intent of a factor level or narrative description of a grade level is credited.
determinations. Numerous suggestions for improvement were offered, many of which have been incorporated into the final standard. The area which received the most frequent request for modification was the material describing inventory management versus logistics management. This issue and its resolution are discussed in the "Issues" portion of this memorandum.
Since separate grade level criteria have not been developed for the Logistics Management Series, the grades of logistics management positions have been determined by cross series comparison to standards for related kinds of work. The standard for the Management Analysis Series, GS-0343, has frequently been used to determine grade level. Other standards, such as those for the Supply Program Management Series, GS-2003, and the Inventory Management Series, GS-2010, have also been helpful. The occupations covered by these standards require the application of knowledges and skills similar to those required for logistics management work.
The new GS-346 series coverage standard amplifies the guidance on grading logistics management positions. It suggests additional standards for cross series comparison and provides guidance on how those standards should be treated. Prudent use of those and possibly other standards, combined with sound classification judgment, should produce properly classified positions.
While logistics management as an occupation is carried out in several agencies, the organization and assignment of duties and responsibilities vary considerably among individual agencies. Therefore, it may be appropriate for agencies to develop internal interpretative guidance specific to their own needs. Also, because the new standard covers work which may have been heretofore excluded from the Logistics Management Series, agencies may find it necessary to modify some portion of their existing internal guidance.
Issues
Specific issues, problems, and recommendations, and the actions taken in response to them, are discussed below in the general order in which they appear in the series coverage standard.
ISSUE: One civilian agency suggested that the standard make it clear that the logistics management work, while predominantly carried out in military organizations, can also exist in civilian agencies.
RESPONSE: We agreed and added a statement in the Series Coverage section to that effect.
ISSUE: Many reviewers in military agencies stated that the information addressing the differences between logistics management work and the supply occupations, especially those covered by the GS-2001, GS-2003, and GS-2010 series, needed to be more definitive.
RESPONSE: We expanded the discussion of supply management in the section on "Distinguishing Between Logistics Management and Other Occupations." The material points out that logistics management and supply management are discrete occupations, each having different specialized qualification requirements. Since it is particularly difficult to discern the differences between the Logistics Management Series, GS-0346, and the Inventory Management
Series, GS-2010, (especially as inventory management is described in those portions of the GS-2010 standard which address Work Situation II: Material Coordination), we added further material describing the differences between the two occupations. Logistics management work as described under the heading of "System Management" in both the draft and final standards has been, in some cases, classified to the GS-2010 series. Because of this, and to explain the system management function more clearly, we also expanded the description of this type of work.
ISSUE: Some reviewers identified a need for additional material describing the differences between the Program Analysis Series, GS-0345, and the Logistics Management Series, GS-0346.
RESPONSE: We added a discussion on distinguishing between the two occupations.
ISSUE: Several agencies requested the addition of the title of "Logistics Management Officer" to cover top-level positions with substantial managerial responsibility for logistics management work.
RESPONSE: We added the title, limiting its use to those relatively few senior supervisory positions which have responsibility for the management of an overall logistics program.
ISSUE: Use of the word "commodity" in the description of system management work caused confusion in distinguishing between logistics management and inventory management.
RESPONSE: Since "commodity" is often used in a narrower sense to refer to an individual item and does not convey the intent of the description, we deleted the word and used only "system."
ISSUE: The kind of logistics management work described as "Logistics Program Direction" was unclear to some reviewers.
RESPONSE: Since positions covered under this heading are supervisory or managerial, we concluded that the description was unnecessary to the standard and it was deleted. These positions in many cases will be among those for which the title "Logistics Management Officer" is appropriate.
