Data for this study were collected as part of a multi-step job analytic process conducted by
a US Federal agency. Nine years prior to this study, the agency was given the authority to
create its own personnel system. Development of the system began with a job analysis,
from which 24 occupational groups were identified. Each occupation was represented by
an occupational board that was charged with maintaining the occupation’s integrity
and professionalism. These advisory boards played a large role in subsequent job analyses
and the definition of jobs within each occupation. As a result, there was concern
that pre-conceived occupational identities significantly biased the process. Anecdotal
evidence suggested that work that spanned two or more occupations was either
overlooked or redundantly described by multiple occupations. In addition, technological
and organizational changes further blurred the lines among occupations (and jobs).
In response to these concerns, the agency conducted a job classification study to
investigate the interconnectedness ofthe 25 jobs within eight occupations shown inTable I.