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Glossary of Classification Terms

Administrative - work activities relating to planning, organizing, directing, controlling, supervising  and budgeting of agency or unit operation, programs and mission.

Administrative Support - support services such as personnel, budget, purchasing, data processing which support or facilitate the service programs of the agency; also means work assisting an administrator through office management, clerical supervision, data collection and reporting, workflow/project tracking, etc.

Appointing Authority - the executive or administrative head of an agency who is authorized by statute to appoint employees in the classified or classified-exempt service. By written notification to the Director of Personnel, the appointing authority may delegate specific powers authorized by this rule to persons who satisfy the definition of employee as established in this rule.

Audit - a detailed examination/review of the duties and responsibilities assigned to a position to include reviewing current and previous position description forms, organizational charts, reporting relationships and organizational setting. Audits may include a field audit where the personnel analyst interviews the employee and the supervisor at the work site where the position is located.

Class or Class of Positions - one or more positions sufficiently similar in duties, training, experience and responsibilities, as determined by specifications, that the same title, the same qualifications, and the same schedule of compensation and benefits may be equitably applied to each position in the class.

Class Series - a grouping of two or more classes having the same kind of work but with ascending levels of difficulty and complexity.

• Entry Level - this level can be both in a training capacity or work of limited complexity, relative to the work in the class series, with little or no latitude to vary methods or procedures. Work is usually performed under close supervision. Work is frequently of a basic and recurring nature.
• Full-Performance Level - this level can be characterized by the performance of a full range of duties relative to the work in the class series. Incumbent has some latitude for independent judgment and may vary work methods and procedures, but usually within prescribed parameters. Work is usually performed under general supervision. Work is frequently of some variety and incumbent may set priorities.
• Advanced Level - this level is assigned to duties and responsibilities which are complex, difficult and varied, relative to the work in the class series. Work requires the development and adoption of non-standard procedures and has more impact and consequence of error than the full-performance level. Work may be performed under limited supervision or under limited direction. Incumbent possesses considerable latitude to accomplish tasks; may include lead worker duties.
• Expert Level - this level is typically reserved for recognized professional classes (i.e. accountant, engineer, etc.) serving as final technical resource on complex technical and professional issues; may require national certification.

Examples of Work - a part of the class specification describing duties and responsibilities typically assigned to positions in the class; generally listed in order of importance on the class specification with the most important duties listed first or those most representative of positions in the class. It is not necessary that any one position in the class include all the examples of work listed and positions may include examples of work not listed on the class specification.

Expert - recognized expert by peer group or professional society certification.

Lead Work/Lead Worker - this is a level of work at which an incumbent is assigned the on-going responsibility of scheduling and/or reviewing the work of other co-workers and guiding and training them while performing identical or similar kinds of work.

Manager/Managerial - oversees a formally designated organizational unit or program that requires extended planning of work activities, control of resources, and all the means used to accomplish work within the assigned area of responsibility. Coordinates the work of the unit or program with the agency and external interest groups. Is held accountable for establishing and meeting the objective and goals of the unit or program.

Paraprofessional - typically performs some of the duties of a professional or a technician in a support role, which usually requires less formal training and/or experience normally required for a professional or technical status. Usually requires an Associate degree, or business/vocational training.

Position - an authorized and identified group of duties and responsibilities assigned by the proper authority requiring the full-time or part-time employment of at least one person.

Position Description - the document prepared by the position supervisor or the employing agency and approved by the appointing authority, which describes the officially assigned duties, responsibilities, supervisory relationships and other pertinent information relative to a position. This document is the basic source of official information in position allocation. Position description forms shall be prescribed by the Director.

Professional - work which requires the application of theories, principles and methods typically acquired through completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher or comparable experience; requires the consistent exercise of discretion and judgement in the research, analysis, interpretation and application of acquired theories, principles and methods to work product.

Reallocation - reassignment by the Director of Personnel of a position from one classification to a different classification on the basis of a significant change in the kind or level of duties and responsibilities assigned to the position.

Reclassification - the revision by the State Personnel Board of the specifications of a class or class series which results in a redefinition of the nature of the work performed and a reassignment of positions based on the new definition and may include a change in the title, pay grade, or minimum qualifications for the classes involved.

Span of Control - the number of subordinate employees supervised. Established at three or more full-time employees.

Supervisory Control - levels of

• Immediate or close supervision - work is well structured and is performed using well-established guidelines and procedures.  Clear, specific and detailed instructions guide the work activity; employee has limited opportunity or authority to exercise discretion in work determinations; review occurs at the beginning, during and at conclusion of work assignments.
• General supervision - general guidelines/instructions are provided but employee exercises some discretion in selecting method of work and sources of information; only unusual or unfamiliar situations are referred to supervisor; review typically occurs at the conclusion of assignments.
• Limited supervision - control of work is more by advisory guidance rather than established guidelines and procedures; employee works from general goals where precedent are absent; review occurs periodically during project cycle.

Technical - work requiring the practical application of scientific, engineering, mathematical or design principles.

Trainee - an entry level position having a defined training period and a formal training program with established competencies to be acquired.

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