Job Classification Model
The following are general descriptions of staff members' roles at Syracuse University, designed to serve as a guideline for making relative comparisons among staff job responsibilities. These descriptions are not intended to capture individual job duties, but rather, to illustrate broad differences in the nature of work, scope and responsibility levels. A job might not incorporate every bulleted statement within a particular category. Also, different elements of an individual job might be found in more than one category. In either case, the job should be assigned to the category that it best fits.
These role descriptions cover staff positions in office and non-office environments performing all types of functions, including academic, administrative and service areas that serve the overall educational mission of the University. Note that interaction with others encompasses dealings with the diverse constituencies of the University including students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, parents and/or the general public. Each category builds upon the previous category.
Staff II
Staff members in this category:
- exercise some independent judgment in following instructions, established policies, and procedures to perform a variety of routine and some non-routine tasks in office or non-office settings.
- take actions that may affect their own unit and/or succeeding operations.
- interact with others primarily to interpret and exchange non-controversial information/data.
- demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills and use basic desktop computer technology (e.g., word processing software, spreadsheets), telephone systems and/or laboratory techniques (e.g., equipment setup, solution preparation, or other activities).
- may be responsible for maintaining a variety of records and/or monitoring some expenses.
- require specific direction; however, they occasionally work autonomously with a supervisor available to answer questions or handle unusual situations.
Staff members in this category:
- exercise some independent judgment and discretion within established policies and procedures to analyze facts or circumstances surrounding problems or transactions and take appropriate action.
- make recommendations/decisions that affect those individuals directly involved.
- interact with others to integrate, interpret and exchange information/data where some difference of opinion may exist.
- have well developed oral and written communication skills.
- are proficient in the use of techniques, tools and software (e.g., research and compose correspondence, create graphics files, run laboratory experiments, fabricate equipment or other activities) that are appropriate to their area(s) of specialization. In-depth knowledge of a particular topic may be required (e.g., employee benefit options, academic program requirements, student housing policies or other topics).
- organize their own work and manage their own time; work is checked largely for progress toward completion of assignments.
- are responsible for modifying a variety of records.
- monitor expenses and/or recommend expenditures.
- provide work direction for others.
Staff members in this category:
- rely on independent judgment to coordinate resources and initiate actions within established guidelines to achieve unit/departmental objectives.
- make recommendations/decisions that may affect activities, programs, groups and/or departmental operations.
- generally interact with others to analyze information/data, provide advice, opinions, and counsel utilizing problem solving skills (e.g., instructional activities, financial aid, admissions, career development counseling or other activities).
- use well-developed analytical, technical, computer and/or oral and written communication skills.
- may have input into the budget planning process and/or responsibility for controlling and recommending budget expenditures within their own area.
- receive general direction, participate in setting work objectives; guidance limited to results expected.
- use fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of their specialty field to provide administrative support OR use fundamental technical capabilities and skills to perform tasks in an assigned area.
- oversee routine operations for a unit, program(s), or project(s).
- provide input on employment and termination decisions (hiring, promotions, salary increases, termination, performance reviews).
Some positions may require thorough knowledge of a technical or specialized field (e.g., accounting, computer science, higher education administration, nursing or other fields).
Staff members in this category:
- interpret, plan and execute their work within general guidelines to achieve departmental objectives.
- make decisions that affect schools/colleges or major departments.
- are a resource to help resolve complex issues and generally work with other areas/departments/work units to achieve objectives.
- use well-developed analytical, cognitive, technical and/or computer skills.
- may use persuasion and negotiation skills.
- may have input into the budget planning process and may be responsible for controlling and recommending budget expenditures within their own area.
- independently perform assignments; work is evaluated on results achieved.
- apply or impart their own experience and the advanced concepts, practices and procedures of their specialty field to achieve objectives.
- manage routine operations for a unit, department or program(s).
- are responsible for making employment and termination decisions or recommendations (e.g., hiring, promotions, salary increases, termination, performance reviews).
Staff members in this category:
- are generally expected to interpret and apply University policies, manage resources and initiate actions to achieve broadly defined objectives.
- provide input into strategic decisions that affect planning, policies, practices and operations for a department, function and/or school/college.
- in addition to using highly developed analytical, technical, computer, oral and written communication skills use high-level persuasion and negotiation skills.
- provide input into the budget planning process and are responsible for controlling and recommending budget expenditures within their own area.
- have full responsibility for interpreting, organizing, and executing assignments.
- receive limited direction typically related to complex projects/situations.
- apply expert knowledge of concepts, practices and procedures of specialty field(s) to achieve objectives.
- manage a department, unit or major project(s).
- are responsible for employment and termination decisions (hiring, promotions, salary increases, termination, performance reviews).
Staff members in this category:
- lead a major department or multiple departments; develop strategies, design policies and deploy resources to achieve objectives.
- make decisions that affect more than one school/college or department and sometimes the entire University.
- apply highly developed creative and problem solving skills and use high-level persuasion and negotiation skills.
- are accountable for budget planning and controlling expenditures.
- have substantial latitude for independent action.
Prospective Employees
• Faculty
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Staff •
Retirees
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