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Locally Engaged Staff

FOREIGN SERVICE NATIONAL
MISSION CLASSIFICATION (MClass)
On October 24, 2011, the Computer Aided Job Evaluation (CAJE) for position classification of Locally
Engaged Staff of Overseas Missions was upgraded to MClass. This State Department migration is being
performed with a series of Virtual HRO Conferences that began on October 26, 2011. This is a system
upgrade with enhancements to the automated position classification system. It places LE staff
classification in a more secure IT platform, where all State HR applications will reside. It also includes
modifications to the forms used. Documentation continues to be added. The way users can request
and write reports is redesigned.
Five new user roles determine the level of access of MClass data:
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Post Classifiers, who have full access to all the jobs in their database in order to create PDs,
(re)classifify, and create new job records.
Local Approvers (HROs) have the next higher level to create PDs, classify and approve jobs.
Regional HROs may approve job s submitted by posts.
Supervisors American or local may have a minimum level of access to MClass in order to
generate or update the automated PDs. This is not available until spring, 2012.
The System Administrator and HR/OE HRM have the highest level of system access.

For the Oct 28 roll-out, HR/OE initially assigned MClass user roles. These may be changed later
upon request.
Users self-select their MClass role, based upon the type of actions they expect to perform in the
system, but final approval of a users role is granted by the HR/OE MClass System Administrator.
CAJE data started to be copied on October 10, 2011 and MClass went live on October 28. CAJE and
MClass were run simultaneously until the end of 2011. MClass has data entered into CAJE, available
after January 1, 2012. A new migration was performed in January to catch information entered into
CAJE after October 10. All positions were copied in their current state.
MClass is a major upgrade to the software system known as CAJE. The most significant component
of the CAJE system, the Job Evaluation Questionnaire (JEQ) remained the same in MClass. Many
user-friendly enhancements were added, including the upcoming automation of the position
description process. The system also includes more space to attach organization charts, position
descriptions (initially) and other relevant documents. Because the factors and calculation processes
remained the same, there is no need for any position re-classification as a result of this change. The
Job Discussion Help Sheet (JDHS) took the place of a desk audit for CAJE and this feature has
remained the same for MClass. This document is required as an attachment in the system before
the job can be approved for use. It is also very important to provide adequate titles to all the jobs
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for them to maintain their unique identification and avoid mistakes in the system. Data is managed
at post, but the system itself is centralized and resides on DoS servers.
The Appeal Process remains the same. MClass is a tool not a new classification process. State
underwent a worldwide HR Classifier Recertification in 2010 to be ready for the new upgrades.
CAJE Classifiers do not need to be re-certified to go into MClass.
Once a job is classified, evaluated and approved, it remains locked for a year, when it requires
revision in line with the annual performance review cycle. Nevertheless, if changes are required
earlier, due to budgetary or other reasons, access can be given based upon request (HRO or RHRO).
These changes are not normal procedure.
USAID purchased the CAJE upgrade from the vendor and their CAJE is still on the vendors internet
servers.
Department of State created a customized upgrade, based on the license originally purchased from
the vendor of the DoS version of CAJE in use, and it resides on their DoS secure network. Both use
the same classification criteria, methodology and computational algorithms.
Supervisors have no access to the jobs being classified in MClass. As of the Spring 2012, supervisory
access to MClass will be limited to viewing a list of approved post Position Descriptions, and
completing and submitting a new or updated automated position description to HR. Access to the
MClass needs to be requested as a Local or American Supervisor. Supervisors may generate a
new position request to HR automatically using the new automated Position Description format, as
well as a reclassification request, by accessing an approved PD within the Jobs Listing. Only
American supervisors are authorized to sign the DS298 Position Description form.
MClass will have more processes automated to save time, provide greater efficiency and allow faster
collaboration between the supervisor and HR.
Supervisors (American or Local) may have a minimum level of access to MClass in order to generate

or update the automated PDs. As long as this role is going to be available in the spring of 2012,
PC supervisors need to be alerted to the need to acquaint themselves with this level of MClass for
FSNs under their supervision and include their Positions Descriptions in the new system, whenever
necessary. All information has already been migrated into MClass as it was. This will allow a direct
communication between supervisors and State HR. Until the spring of 2012, there are only two
primary roles available to local HR users of MClass:
Classifier: State classification-certified HR Assistant or HR Specialist at post and
Local Approver: a classification-certified State HR Officer at post.
The role of Regional Approver is also available, but only to those HR Officers serving at a regional
classification center (e.g., Frankfurt).
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Distinguishing Features:
1. The system may include a limited participation by Supervisors (American or Local), if they so
request it in the system and if it is approved. This participation would entail entering automated
Position Descriptions or their updates, to request (re)classification.
2. Once a position classification is authorized, it will remain locked for a year, in line with the
performance evaluation cycle.
3. If a classification needs to be re-considered due to budgetary or other changes, authorization to
unlock an approved classification, needs to be obtained from an HRO or RHRO.
4. It is very important to be acquainted with the Mission Job Listing to avoid confusing similar job
titles with one another.