Unclassified Title Guideline

At this level, a professional is expected to perform at the entry level of proficiency. This includes performing all or any of the basic duties and functions as defined for the specialty or by the level of certification or licensure.

An individual at this level performs those duties and responsibilities expected of a fully competent professional. Typically, such duties and responsibilities require knowledge and skills gained only through considerable experience. A fully competent professional works independently in applying the approaches, methods and techniques of his or her profession and is active in developing or assisting in the development of new approaches to resolving problems.

A Senior professional performs program functions at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience (e.g., a minimum of at least seven years of professional experience) and advanced knowledge and skills. At this level, the professional has a consistent record of exemplary performance. A Senior professional is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, a professional can be expected to guide or train other professionals or to oversee their work.

Although the typical professional academic staff member will show career advancement through the Associate, No Prefix and Senior prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

A Distinguished professional performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of a professional at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished professional is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, a professional can be expected to guide or train other professionals or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

The levels (I, II, III) reflect differences in experience and knowledge gained by a Program Manager as a program grows and develops; differences in the complexity of a program; differences in the degree of supervision that may be required to manage programs of different sizes and complexity, and other factors. The determination of the appropriate level by the Academic Personnel Office will be based on the rating of the position using the Position Questionnaire (PQ).

An Assistant Director manages a subunit of a major administrative unit and reports to a Director or Associate Director. An Assistant Director supervises three or more FTE, develops and recommends an annual unit budget and develops or assists in developing and recommending policy to the Director.

An Assistant Director is responsible for the day to day administrative management and policy implementation activities of an administrative unit. The role of an Assistant Director is primarily supervisory and managerial as contrasted with a Program Manager whose primary responsibility is direct service delivery and whose job is largely non-supervisory.

An Associate Director reports to a Director and assists in directing the administrative and policy development and implementation endeavors of a major administrative unit under the general supervision of the Director. An Associate Director will be defined as a deputy director (acts on behalf of a Director on an ongoing basis as well as in the Director's absence) and only one deputy shall be assigned within the administrative unit. Under exceptional circumstances where a very large administrative unit exists, the assignment of more than one Associate Director title may be made if the title is specifically provided for in the title structure as approved by System Administration.

An Associate Director title is typically defined in units of sufficient size and scope of responsibility such that secondary decision making must be shared with or allocated to an Associate Director.

A Director (no prefix) directs all the administrative, policy development and implementation endeavors of a major administrative unit.

The appropriate scope is determined by considering the policy-making role which describes the impact of decision-making responsibilities and the size of the unit. Impact of decision-making responsibilities is described as:

• The lowest range is used for individuals whose major responsibilities involve application of established policy. The role in policy development is usually limited.

• Promotion to higher ranges is based on an individual's ability to become increasingly involved in policy formulation and interpretation, and to assume increasingly complex and broad assignments which do not require extensive supervision by the dean or other staff.

• At the highest range, an individual is regularly empowered to represent the dean in policy issues outside of the unit. An annual review by the dean of the assignment to a range is required.

In addition to the impact of the incumbent's decision-making responsibilities addressed above, other considerations are: the size of the school or college and the size of the budget; the number and size of the functional areas and programs managed and/or supervised; and the level and frequency of interactions with institution administrators, faculty and staff.

Assistant/Associate Dean titles may be used in academic schools/colleges and Administrative Officers in non-academic units. The use of and range assignment for the Administrative Officer title must be based on the rating of the position using the PQ and requires System Administration approval.

The general rule is that all Administrative Officers, Associate and Assistant Deans should be assigned limited appointment status.

Assistant

Assists in developing techniques and/or model programs for carrying out instructional goals in disciplinary area; may help identify ways in which new techniques could be of assistance. Instructs students either in formal classroom/laboratory settings or in non credit supplements to formal course instruction. Will normally have undergraduate degree in disciplinary area and/or possess experience or advanced training in the area.

Associate

Identifies instructional goals to be met; designs curriculum and/or techniques for accomplishing these goals. May train other staff in use of these techniques. Instructs students, either in formal classroom/laboratory settings or in non credit supplements to formal course instruction. Works with faculty to identify and develop new methods of advancing instruction in the discipline. Normally possesses advanced degree in disciplinary area of instructional program. May assist in development of grant proposals for funding of model instruction programs. May make presentations to faculty and to staff members throughout the system and elsewhere on instructional programs and techniques.

(No Prefix)

Designs curriculum and/or techniques for instruction in disciplinary area, suggests new ways of effective instruction in courses within discipline. May supervise others in carrying out these techniques; instructs students; trains faculty and other instructional staff in use of instructional techniques and programs. Develops grant proposals for instructional development; may serve as principal or co-principal investigator in grants to develop new teaching methods in the discipline. Presents evaluations of teaching methods and techniques to those in the institution and elsewhere; is recognized by peers, often nationally, for work in this area. May administer budget and personnel for instructional grants and programs.

Although the typical Instructional academic staff member will show career advancement through the Assistant, Associate, and No Prefix prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

Distinguished

An instructional academic staff member at the Distinguished level performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of an academic staff member at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished academic staff member is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, an academic staff member can be expected to guide or train other academic staff or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

A Faculty Assistant teaches the quiz, tutorial, discussion or lab section(s) of a course or assists in the development of materials or programs under the direction of an academic staff or faculty member. Faculty Assistants may work within a County Extension Office assisting faculty with specific program responsibilities.

The Senior prefix is appropriate for a Faculty Assistant who has extensive teaching experience and the academic qualifications necessary to assume, upon determination of the supervising instructor, responsibilities not normally given to a (no-prefix) Faculty Assistant such as assisting with the training and professional development programs for new Teaching Assistants and Faculty Assistants and assisting the instructor with course planning, organization, and curricular development.

An Associate Lecturer is one who independently teaches a course(s) subject to broad guidelines describing the scope of the subject matter to be taught and the topics to be covered. Effective classroom delivery, testing and grading are the primary duties expected of lecturers at this level.

A lecturer at this level has the experience and academic qualifications needed to develop and teach a course(s) subject to broad guidelines describing the scope of the subject matter to be covered. However, the specific topics to be covered and the degree of topic emphasis is left to the independent judgment of the (no prefix) Lecturer. At this level, a Lecturer may be involved in various instruction related activities. These may include undergraduate advising, assisting in developing lab safety protocols, course scheduling, curriculum development, participating in departmental outreach programs, or other instructional activities.

A Senior Lecturer has extensive teaching experience and subject matter expertise in an academic discipline. A lecturer at this level has gained a reputation among his or her peers for demonstrably sustained superior contributions to teaching within a department or division. At this level, the independent selection, organization and development of course contents and instructional materials and approaches used is expected. Involvement with committees engaged in supporting this development is typical. However, the direct delivery of instruction is the primary responsibility of this title.

Although the typical instructional academic staff member will show career advancement through the Associate, No Prefix and Senior prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

An instructional academic staff member at the Distinguished level performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of an academic staff member at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished academic staff member is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, an academic staff member can be expected to guide or train other academic staff or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

The specific definition of each level for professorial academic staff titles is left to the purview of each unit in which the title is employed. However, differences between successively higher title levels must reflect demonstrable differences in experience and knowledge gained, applied to the specific duties of the function.

Although the typical Instructional academic staff member will show career advancement through the Assistant, Associate and No Prefix prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

An Instructional academic staff member at the Distinguished level performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of an academic staff member at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished academic staff member is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, an academic staff member can be expected to guide or train other academic staff or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

Entry level prefix title for this function. Requires extensive knowledge in the specific project area. Participates in identifying problems, designing methodology, conducting research. Generally works with research team, proposes methodologies to solve problems; conducts preliminary research design.

Has developed extensive knowledge in broad area of research as well as in specific applications to particular project areas. Has demonstrated sustained superior performance; shows potential for peer recognition of contributions to research in area of expertise. Generates ideas for research activities; designs methodologies for research projects which may have Research Scientists or faculty members as principal investigators. May supervise research support staff including research specialists, graduate students, and others.

Superior performance has resulted in peer recognition for research activities. Has responsibility for methodology design and approaches to research problems and applications of techniques. May supervise research support staff. Identifies research problems, supervises others in development of proposals which may have Research Scientists or faculty members as principal investigators. May manage budget and staffing of research projects.

Although the typical research academic staff member will show career advancement through the Assistant, Associate and No Prefix prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

A research academic staff member at the Distinguished level performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of an academic staff member at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished academic staff member is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, an academic staff member can be expected to guide or train other academic staff or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

This is the entry level prefix title for this function. Entry into this position requires extensive knowledge in a specialized area of research at a level likely to lead to making a contribution to the field, or equivalent experience. An Assistant Scientist conducts research to investigate or resolve identified research problems, writes research reports, and assists in the preparation of research programs and grant applications.

An Associate Scientist has extensive knowledge and a level of research experience in a specialized area of research which has led to a reputation extending beyond the institution. Promotion into this position must be based on evidence of sustained superior performance and peer recognition of potential to make significant research contributions. An Associate Scientist independently contributes to the development of research approaches and techniques to investigate and resolve research problems, develops research programs, and prepares research findings for publication or formal presentation. At this level, a Scientist may have functional supervision for research support staff including Research Specialists, graduate student staff, and others.

A Senior Scientist has extensive knowledge and research experience in an area of research specialization. The independent identification of research problems and the development of research approaches and techniques is a key aspect of the work at this level. At this level of the function, the supervision of research support staff, research project budgeting responsibilities and other aspects of research project management is common. However, high potential for advancing knowledge in a particular field of research is the primary characteristic of a Senior Scientist. The development and presentation of research findings through publication and at meetings at a level needed to sustain and develop a reputation within the research community is required.

Although the typical research academic staff member will show career advancement through the Assistant, Associate and Senior prefixes, Hayes/Hill, Inc., saw "the need for a superstar category stressing peer recognition both within and outside the institution as one of the key criteria. We would generally expect that a person in the superstar category would have at least ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in their field." Consistent with Hayes/Hill's original intent to reserve a prefix "for the truly exceptional performers," the Distinguished prefix is defined below:

A research academic staff member at the Distinguished level performs at a level of proficiency typically requiring extensive experience and advanced knowledge and skills. The expertise of an academic staff member at this level is commonly recognized by his or her peers and through a reputation which extends beyond his or her work unit. A Distinguished academic staff member is expected to develop new approaches, methods or techniques to resolve problems with little or no expert guidance and to cope independently with new, unexpected or complex situations. At this level, an academic staff member can be expected to guide or train other academic staff or to oversee their work.

The Distinguished prefix is granted only after review by the Distinguished Prefix Review Committee (DPRC) composed of academic staff. If the Dean/Director approves the Distinguished prefix recommended by the DPRC, s/he should forward a rate/title change form, along with all documents submitted to the DPRC in support of the Distinguished prefix, to the Academic Personnel Office, 166 Bascom Hall. (See Distinguished Prefix Review Committee Policies and Procedures.)

NOTE: It is intended that the scientist series be parallel to the research component of the faculty tenure track and normally used only for individuals who are appropriate for principal investigator status. In light of this, the prefix definitions for this series should be interpreted as minimal qualifications.