Position Classification For Professional Staff Policy 191216
Position Classification For Professional Staff Policy 191216
☒ University-wide
* Unless otherwise indicated, this policy will still apply beyond the review date.
Position classification is the process used to measure the relative job worth of
positions within an organisation at a point in time.
2. Policy Statement
3. Policy Purpose
This policy informs Professional Staff and their nominated supervisors of the
application of principles for the classification of Professional Staff positions at
Australian Catholic University.
4. Application of Policy
This policy applies to all Professional Staff positions up to and including Higher
Education Worker (HEW) Level 9.
5. Principles
All Professional Staff positions from HEW Level 1 to 9 will be classified in accordance
with the DWM descriptors, as specified in Schedule 3, Part B of the ACU Staff
Enterprise Agreement 2013-2017 and Appendix 1 of this Policy, as the primary
determinant of classification.
The position description prepared for classification establishes the position purpose, its
typical activities and baseline performance requirements and assists in managing the
expectations of the position holder, whether or not they are recruited externally or
placed and/or promoted from within the organisation. Position descriptions and
position classification is therefore a foundation block for people management practices
across the organisation.
Position classification is used to define the content/work value of a position, not the
volume of work. Work value is dependent on a range of factors including the
experience, skills and training required to perform the duties, including the
accountabilities and responsibilities and level of impact the position has within and
external to the work unit.
6. Policy Review
The University may make changes to this policy and relevant procedures from time to
time to improve the effectiveness of its operation.
7. Further Assistance
Any staff member who requires assistance in understanding this Policy should first
consult their nominated supervisor who is responsible for the implementation and
operation of these arrangements in their work area. Should further advice be required
staff should contact Human Resources Advisory Service, [email protected] or
extension 4222.
DEFINITIONS
Definition 1: Supervision
Clear and detailed instructions are provided. Tasks are covered by
Close supervision: standard procedures. Deviation from procedures or unfamiliar situations
are referred to higher levels. Work is regularly checked.
Direction is provided on the tasks to be undertaken with some latitude to
rearrange sequences and discriminate between established methods.
Guidance on the approach to standard circumstances is provided in
Routine supervision:
procedures, guidance on the approach to non-standard circumstances is
provided by a nominated supervisor. Checking is selective rather than
constant.
Direction is provided on the assignments to be undertaken, with the
occupant determining the appropriate use of established methods, tasks
General direction: and sequences. There is some scope to determine an approach in the
absence of established procedures or detailed instructions, but guidance
is readily available. Performance is checked by assignment completion.
Direction is provided in terms of objectives which may require the
planning of staff, time and material resources for their completion. Limited
Broad direction: detailed guidance will be available and the development or modification of
procedures by the employee may be required. Performance will be
measured against objectives.
Definition 2: Qualifications
Within the Australian Qualifications Framework:
Completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, usually in
Year 12:
Year 12 of secondary school.
Completion of an apprenticeship, normally of four years duration, or
Trade certificate:
equivalent recognition, eg Certificate III.
A course of study over and above a trade certificate and less than a
Post-trade certificate:
Certificate IV.
A two-year part-time post-Year 12 or post-trade certificate course, or a
Advanced certificate: four year part-time course for those who have completed Year 10 only of
secondary school.
Courses that recognise basic vocational skills and knowledge, without a
Certificates I and II:
Year 12 prerequisite.
A course that provides a range of well-developed skills and is comparable
Certificate III:
to a trade certificate.
A course that provides greater breadth and depth of skill and knowledge
Certificate IV: and is comparable to a two year part time post-Year 12 or post-trade
certificate course.
A course at a higher education or vocational educational and training
Diploma:
institution, typically equivalent to two years full time post-Year 12 study.
Note: Previously recognised qualifications obtained prior to the implementation of the Australian
Qualifications Framework continue to be recognised. The above definitions also include equivalent
recognised overseas qualifications.
This dimension looks at how much of each of these three qualities applies
at each proposed classification level.
The level of knowledge and awareness of the organisation, its structure
Organisational and functions that would be expected of staff at each proposed
Knowledge: classification level, and the purposes to which that organisational
knowledge may be put.
The type and duration of training which the duties of the classification
level typically require for effective performance. Training is the process of
Training Level:
acquiring skills and knowledge through formal education, on the job
instruction or exposure to procedures.
Occupational
Occupations typically falling within each proposed classification level.
Equivalent:
Activities typically undertaken by staff in different occupations at each of
Typical Activities:
the proposed classification levels.
Employees engaged at the base of this level will be provided with structured on the job training in
addition to up to 38 hours of induction to the higher education industry which shall provide
information on the higher education institution, conditions of employment, training to be made
available and consequent career path opportunities, physical layout of the institution/work areas,
introduction to fellow workers and supervisors, work and documentation procedures, occupational
health and safety, equal employment opportunity practices and extended basic literacy and
numeracy skills training where required/necessary to enable career path progression.
An employee at Level 2 will be expected to perform a combination of various routine tasks where
the daily work routine will allow the latitude to rearrange some work sequences, provided the
prearranged work priorities are achieved.
Security Officers may be involved in a range of patrol duties, including responding to alarms,
following emergency procedures and preparing incident reports.
Persons advancing through Level 3 may typically perform duties which require further on the job
training or knowledge and training equivalent to progress toward completion of an advanced
certificate or associate diploma.
Staff would be expected to perform a greater range and complexity of tasks as they progressed
through the level and obtained further training.
May supervise or co-ordinate others to achieve objectives, including liaison with staff at higher
levels. May undertake stand alone work.
In clerical/secretarial positions,
may undertake a full range of word processing functions, including mathematical formulae and
symbols, manipulation of text and layout in desktop publishing software and use of a range or
word processing packages if required
be responsible for providing a full range of secretarial services in a faculty
plan and set up spreadsheets or data base applications
provide advice to students on enrolment procedures and requirements, administer enrolment
and course progression records.
In library technician positions, perform at a higher level than Level 4, including assist with reader
education programs and more complex bibliographic and acquisition services.
operate a discrete unit within a library which may involve significant supervision or be the senior
staff member in an out posted service.
In administrative positions,
provide financial, policy and planning advice
service a range of administrative and academic committees, including preparation of agendas,
papers, minutes and correspondence
monitor expenditure against budget in a school or small faculty.
In professional positions,
work as part of a research team
provide a range of library services, including bibliographic assistance, original cataloguing and
reader education in library and reference services
provide counselling services
undertake a range of computer programming tasks
provide documentation and assistance to computer users
analyse less complex user and system requirements.
In administrative positions, provide less senior administrative support to relatively small and less
complex faculties or equivalent.