NEW UPDATES!
OARs governing county retention were updated November 2025. Your Multnomah County Retention Series has been updated accordingly. Please make sure to double check - some series may have new retention periods.
Series Title (Agency Series #)
Description. (Legal Citations)
Retention
Classification Studies (ES02-003)
Note: Recently divided into two parts, per the OAR. Please ensure you separate out any final study or report records before disposing of all other records that have reached minimum retention.
Records documenting the analysis, study, and resolution of position classification, position compensation, or both. May include job content questionnaire summaries, position allocation reports, personnel reclassification studies, job category listings, study outlines, graphs, tables, and significant related records. (OAR 166-150-0160(21))
Retention:
ES02-003(a) Final study or report: Retain permanently.
ES02-003(b) All other records: Retain 5 years.
(NOTE: Recent retention changes.)
Position Description and Classification Records (ES02-004)
Records describing and classifying agency jobs and positions. Usually includes details of duties and responsibilities of each position, time percentage breakdowns of task, skills and abilities needed for each position, and related records documenting the development, modification, or redefinition of each job or position. Records include correspondence requesting position, supporting data, job descriptions, employee exemption status (for exempt positions), job analysis, duties questionnaire, and related records. Records would also include documentation of lead worker pay establishment or modification for a given classification; lead worker pay records would include rationale behind the change, its effective date, and union notifications. (OAR 166-150-0160(23))
Retention:
15 years after position abolished or superseded.
Position Reclassification Requests (ES02-001)
Note: Recently divided into two parts, per the OAR. Please ensure you separate out any final study or report records before disposing of all other records that have reached minimum retention.
Series documents studies and evaluations of position to determine if reclassification is appropriate. Records may include old and new position descriptions, organizational charts, classification specifications, desk audits, classification review reports, and related correspondence. (OAR 166-150-0160(21))
Retention:
ES02-001(a) Final study or report: Retain permanently.
ES02-001(b) All other records: Retain 5 years.
(NOTE: Recent retention updates.)