A. Duties
This factor is concerned with the general nature of tasks assigned. The range is from duties performed in entrance-level positions to
those carried out at an advanced level of administration. Select the grade that fits your position most appropriately. Carefully consider
the relationship that your duties have to those of others in your organization. If you cannot decide between two adjoining grades, use
the half grade between.
| Grade | | Points | Answer |
| 1 | Receives training in the various phases of office, plant, field, or laboratory engineering, or geoscience work as
on-the-job assignments. Tasks assigned include: preparation of simple plans, designs, plots, calculations, costs,
and bills of material in accordance with established codes, standards, drawings, or other specifications.
May carry out routine technical surveys or inspections and prepare reports. | 10 |  |
| 1½ | | 15 | |
| 2 | Normally regarded as a continuing portion of an engineer’s or geoscientist’s training and development. Receives
assignments of limited scope and complexity, usually minor phases of broader assignments. Uses a variety of
standard engineering or geoscience methods and techniques in solving problems. Assists more senior engineers
or geoscientists in carrying out technical tasks requiring accuracy in calculations, completeness of data, and
adherence to prescribed testing, analysis, design or combination of methods. | 20 | |
| 2½ | | 30 | |
| 3 | This is typically regarded as a fully qualified professional engineering or geoscience level. Carries out responsible
and varied assignments requiring general familiarity with a broad field of engineering or geoscience and
knowledge of reciprocal effects of the work upon other fields. Problems usually solved by use of combinations of
standard procedures, modifications of standard procedures, or methods developed in previous assignments.
Participates in planning to achieve prescribed objectives. | 40 | |
| 3½ | | 55 | |
| 4 | This is the first level of direct and sustained supervision of other professional engineers or geoscientists or full
specialization. Requires application of mature engineering or geoscientific knowledge in planning and conducting
projects having scope for independent accomplishment, and coordination of difficult and responsible assignments.
Assigned problems make it necessary to modify established guides, devise new approaches, apply existing criteria
in new manners and draw conclusions from comparative situations. | 70 | |
| 4½ | | 90 | |
| 5 | Usually requires knowledge of more than one field of engineering or geoscience or performance by a specialist in
a particular field. Participates in short- and long-range planning. Makes independent decisions for devising
practical and economical solutions to problems. May supervise large groups containing both professional and
nonprofessional staff; or may exercise authority over a small group of highly qualified professional personnel
engaged in complex technical applications. | 110 | |
| 5½ | | 130 | |
| 6 | Usually responsible for an engineering or geoscience administrative function directing several professional and
other groups engaged in interrelated engineering or geoscientific responsibilities; or as consultant, has achieved
recognition as an authority in an engineering or geoscience field of major importance to the organization.
Independently conceives programs and problems to be investigated. Participates in discussions determining basic
operating policies, devising ways of reaching program objectives in the most economical manner and of meeting
unusual conditions affecting work progress. | 150 | |
| 6½ | | 175 | |
| 7 | Within the framework of general policy, conceives independent programs and problems to be investigated. Plans
or approves projects requiring the expenditure of a considerable amount of manpower and financial investment.
Determines basic operating policies, and solves primary problems or programs to accomplish objectives in the
most economical manner to meet any unusual condition. | 200 | |
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