Classification Delegation Program

Participation in this program has been voluntary to provide customers with an opportunity to explore and test the possibility of delegating classification authority to campus users. Initial "pilot programs" were identified by Compensation Services in consultation with the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor for Human Resources.

Administration of the Program

Participants in these programs have been designated as the "approving authority", for their organization. These "approving authorities" have been delegated authority for making final decisions for both exempt and non-exempt positions (depending upon program delegations).

Compensation Services staff provides the initial and on-going training and guidance in classification and compensation issues. In addition to general training on classification methodology, equity considerations, and documentation techniques the Compensation Services staff conduct post-audit reviews of decisions made by participating organizations. Participants in these programs are encouraged to contact a Compensation Analyst to obtain additional information or perspectives regarding unusual classification situations or to gather labor market information on positions.

Participants are also required to submit classification documentation and decision rationale to Compensation Services upon the completion of each review. The "approving authority" is held responsible for notifying managers within their organization of the decisions reached and the grievance or reconsideration rights available to staff. The managers would then notify incumbents of the decision and their respective rights.

The Classification Delegation Program is a part of a broader initiative to streamline and simplify administrative processes and to shift decision-making authority to campus managers. Classification delegation programs have been established for:

• General Library and its branch operations for Library
  Assistant I-V
• Information & Educational Technology for Programmer Series
• Division of Biological Sciences for Lab Assistant I-IV, Staff Research Associates I-V and Clerk, Sr. Clerk, _ Asst I - III
• College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences for Clerk, Sr. Clerk, _ Asst I - III
• College of Engineering for Clerk, Sr. Clerk, _ Asst I - III
• College of Letters and Science for Clerk, Sr. Clerk, _ Asst I - III
• Agriculture & Natural Resources for Farm Machinery Mechanic Series, Ag Technician Series, Farm Maintenance Workers Series, Animal Technicians and Superintendent of Ag Series
• TAPS for Parking Representatives

Delegation of classification authority has a number of positive features:

1. It enables managers to make informed decisions about specialized classification matters, resulting in an increased sense of ownership.
   
2. It provides managers with additional information and insight into the overall classification and compensation program and job analysis.
   
3. The delegation of approval authority reduces the time frame typically associated with classification actions.
   

Revised January 19, 2005