The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2, became effective on March 11, 2021. This Act provided additional relief to the District of Columbia government to address the continued impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on our economy, public health, businesses, and residents. The implementation of this rescue plan has increased hiring, which outpaces our capacity for general classification operations. Therefore, the Director of the D.C. Department of Human Resources is suspending the requirement for the periodic reclassification of existing jobs through September 30, 2022.

We are suspending the periodic job classification recertification requirement for all existing jobs. This suspension applies to all agencies under the Mayor’s authority, as well as agencies with independent personnel authority and independent agencies that receive classification services from DCHR.

During the suspension

• We have suspended the typical tri-annual recertification requirement for all existing jobs; 
• We will not accept submissions for recertifications, re-descriptions, or re-establishments during the suspension;
• We will not accept requests to establish career ladders with respect to existing, classified jobs; and
• We will not entertain desk audits for encumbered (filled) jobs, unless initiated by the impacted employee.

Exceptions

In certain instances, reclassification actions may be submitted with a written justification from the agency director to the DCHR Director. These exceptions include, but are not limited to, actions that are deemed mission critical as determined by the agency and DCHR, actions that are federally funded, or actions that are mandated by the Council or the Executive Office of the Mayor. These exceptions will be reviewed by the DCHR Director on a case-by-case basis.

Agencies seeking an exception should first consult with DCHR’s Human Resources Solutions Administration Director, Dr. Keisha M. Hawkins, at keisha.hawkins@dc.gov. Finalized written justification for an exception may be made by email to Dr. Hawkins. The justification must address why the position is “new,” and include the approval to fill the position from the City Administrator.

This issuance applies to all District government subordinate executive branch agencies, as well as agencies with independent personnel authority and independent agencies that receive classification services from DCHR until September 30, 2022.

1. American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Public Law 117-2 (March 11, 2021).
2. Classification, Program Maintenance, 6-B DCMR §1109.4.