Professional – Individual Contributor Career Level Guide
Includes positions that require a theoretical and conceptual knowledge of the specialization. Problems are typically solved through analysis and strategic thinking.
Professional Level 1
Overview: Possesses professional knowledge and expertise; assignments, projects, and programs are straightforward in scope with minimal complexity.
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Organizational Scope and Impact
Responsibility level within professional field: Typically supports a professional field within a team, function, or work group.
Responsibility level for projects/budgets/assignments/work groups: Contributes to projects/budgets/assignments/work groups.
Impact of erroneous decisions or actions: Does not have widespread impact on the school/college or function.
Influence and Leadership
Responsibility level for programs, projects, business initiatives, or functions: Participates as a team member for the purpose of development.
Guidance provided to other staff: Does not generally provide guidance/direction.
Relationships with colleagues across departments: Expected to interact in a professional and responsive manner.
Knowledge
Knowledge level: Knowledge of professional principles and skills and University policies, practices, and procedures.
Use of knowledge: Develops knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures.
Problem Solving
Interpretation of information: Relies on prior practices to interpret information within standard operating policies and procedures.
Identification of problems: Identifies and resolves clearly defined problems and escalates more advanced problems.
Resolution of problems: Reviews data to identify missing/incomplete information, inconsistencies/anomalies in routine research/data.
Decision making: Makes decisions within specific guidelines on matters of basic complexity and impact.
Independence of Action
Level of independence: Typically work requires regular process checks or review of output by a senior coworker or supervisor.
Exercising judgment: Exercises judgment within established procedures and/or protocols.
Education and Experience
Years of experience: 1 year of relevant experience.
Typical education level: BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent, related experience; certification may be preferred or required.
Professional Level 2
Overview: Possesses solid professional knowledge and expertise; assignments, projects, and programs are of limited scope and complexity; makes decisions within specific guidelines.
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Organizational Scope and Impact
Responsibility level within professional field: Typically supports and contributes to a professional field within a team, function, or work group.
Responsibility level for projects/budgets/assignments/work groups: May be fully accountable on a small to moderate scale.
Impact of erroneous decisions or actions: Have minimal impact on the school/college or function.
Operating plans/budgets/program goals and procedures: May have responsibility for tracking at the function or work group level.
Influence and Leadership
Responsibility level for programs, projects, business initiatives, or functions: Contributes as a team member, such as the monitoring of the timeliness and accuracy of operations.
Guidance provided to other staff: May provide guidance/direction to lower-level staff.
Relationships with colleagues across departments: Effectively builds rapport with a wide variety of people and is responsive to their needs.
Knowledge
Knowledge level: Established knowledge of professional principles and skills and University policies, practices, and procedures.
Use of knowledge: Applies knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices, and procedures.
Problem Solving
Interpretation of information: Processes and interprets information within standard operating policies and procedures.
Identification of problems: Identifies and resolves clearly defined problems and seeks assistance in resolving more advanced problems.
Resolution of problems: Reviews data to identify and resolve missing/incomplete information, inconsistencies/anomalies in routine research/data.
Decision making: Makes decisions within specific guidelines.
Independence of Action
Level of independence: Nature of work is primarily independent.
Exercising judgment: Exercises independent judgment within established procedures and/or protocols; typically communicates issues and progress weekly.
Education and Experience
Years of experience: 2 years of relevant experience.
Typical education level: BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent, related experience; certification may be preferred or required.
Professional Level 3
Overview: Possesses comprehensive professional knowledge and expertise; assignments, projects, or programs are of moderate scope or complexity; makes decisions within broad functional or department guidelines.
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Organizational Scope and Impact
Responsibility level within professional field: Typically contributes to an advanced area of work within a professional field with school/college/department impact.
Responsibility level for projects/budgets/assignments/work groups: May be responsible for projects of moderate complexity and/or on a moderately large scale.
Impact of erroneous decisions or actions: Could have a moderate impact on the school/college or function.
Operating plans/budgets/program goals and procedures: May administer and coordinate at the functional or department level.
Departmental budget impact: May have signature authority.
Influence and Leadership
Responsibility level for programs, projects, business initiatives, or functions: Assists in planning and developing.
Guidance provided to other staff: May provide guidance/direction/training to staff.
Relationships with colleagues across departments: Initiates relationships within the department and across the school/college.
Knowledge
Knowledge level: Comprehensive knowledge of principles and practices of particular field of specialization and University polices, practices, and procedures.
Use of knowledge: Applies acquired skills to complete moderately complex assignments or significantly contribute to projects or manage programs.
Problem Solving
Interpretation of information: Processes and interprets moderately complex and/or less clearly defined issues.
Identification of problems: Identifies problems and possible solutions for moderately complex situations; takes appropriate action to resolve by applying standard organizational practices.
Resolution of problems: Interprets, monitors, and analyzes data to resolve inconsistencies in non-routine research/data.
Decision making: Makes decisions within broad functional or department guidelines.
Independence of Action
Level of independence: Nature of work is independent.
Exercising judgment: Exercises independent judgment in determining how work is performed; may communicate issues and progress weekly.
Level of authority to make exceptions: Recommends exceptions to policy and procedure.
Education and Experience
Years of experience: 3-5 years of relevant experience.
Typical education level: BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent, related experience; certification may be preferred or required.
Professional Level 4
Overview: Possesses advanced professional knowledge and expertise; assignments, projects, and programs are of significant scope and/or complexity; makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty.
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Organizational Scope and Impact
Responsibility level within professional field: Typically responsible for an advanced area of work within a professional field with school/college/department impact.
Responsibility level for projects/budgets/assignments/work groups: May be responsible for large programs and projects and managing a cross-functional team, including planning, assigning, monitoring, and reviewing progress and accuracy of work, evaluating results, etc.
Impact of erroneous decisions or actions: Could seriously impact school/college/department administration.
Operating plans/budgets/program goals and procedures: Department level. May have responsibility for developing forecasts and managing.
Operational and strategic decisions: May influence at the school/college levels.
Departmental budget impact: May have signature authority.
Influence and Leadership
Responsibility level for programs, projects, business initiatives, or functions: Regularly leads the planning and development.
Guidance provided to other staff: May provide specific guidance/direction/training to staff; may directly provide supervision to one or two staff/students.
Relationships with colleagues across departments: May lead non-reporting staff and ensures others buy-in and cooperation for specific situations or projects.
Supervision of others: Identifies areas where supervisory guidance is needed, usually only on unusual or complex issues or circumstances.
Knowledge
Knowledge level: Advanced knowledge of principles and practices of a particular field of specialization and University policies, practices, and procedures.
Use of knowledge: Applies in-depth professional, technical, or industry knowledge to manage significantly complex assignments/projects/programs.
Problem Solving
Interpretation of information: Utilizes analytical or problem-solving techniques to understand complex issues.
Identification of problems: Identifies key barriers/core problems and applies advanced knowledge in order to deal creatively with complex situations.
Resolution of problems: Troubleshoots and resolves a wide range of issues or complex problems in creative ways.
Decision making: Makes decisions under conditions of uncertainty, sometimes with incomplete information, that produce effective end results.
Independence of Action
Level of independence: Nature of work is independent and collaborative.
Exercising judgment: Exercises independent judgment in determining how to achieve the final results expected; typically communicates issues and progress on a monthly basis.
Level of authority to make exceptions: Has moderate authority to make exceptions to policy and procedure — decisions are subject to frequent in-process review.
Education and Experience
Years of experience: 5-7 years of relevant experience or MS/MA/MBA/JD with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
Typical education level: BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent, related experience; advanced degree or certification may be preferred or required.
Professional Level 5
Overview: Possesses expert professional knowledge; assignments, projects, and programs are of the largest scope and/or substantial complexity requiring the development of advanced concepts, techniques, standards, and applications/programs; makes decisions that may serve as precedent for future decisions affecting the entire school/college or University.
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Organizational Scope and Impact
Responsibility level within professional field: Typically responsible for a specialized area of work within a professional field that influences the future course of the school/college or function.
Responsibility level for projects/budgets/assignments/work groups: Responsible for large programs and projects and managing a cross-functional team, including planning, assigning, monitoring, and reviewing progress and accuracy of work, evaluating results, etc.
Impact of erroneous decisions or actions: Could seriously impact University administration.
Operating plans/budgets/program goals and procedures: Approves at the school/college or function level.
Operational and strategic decisions: Influences at the school/college and University levels.
Sensitive programs and projects: May be responsible for sensitive programs and projects impacting significant school/college resources.
Departmental budget impact: Typically has signature authority.
Influence and Leadership
Responsibility level for programs, projects, business initiatives, or functions: Accountable for the oversight of a school/college or suborganization/function with few or no direct reports with limited management oversight.
Guidance provided to other staff: May be responsible for employees’ development; may provide supervision for one or two staff/students.
Relationships with colleagues across departments: Cultivates strategic business relationships for collaboration within the school/college/function and across the University.
Supervision of others: Reviews the work of others within the work group.
Knowledge
Knowledge level: Recognized expert in at least one technical area, business principle, or University practices or procedures.
Use of knowledge: Applies specialized professional, technical, or industry knowledge to make a significant contribution to the development of advanced concepts, techniques, standards, and applications/programs.
Problem Solving
Interpretation of information: Applies conceptual thinking to understand unique and sensitive challenges and their implications.
Identification of problems: Evaluates and develops creative solutions to issues without prior precedent, usually based on limited information.
Resolution of problems: Ensures that solutions are consistent with organizational objectives, balancing multiple perspectives and future implications.
Decision making: Makes decisions that may serve as precedent for future decisions affecting the entire school/college.
Independence of Action
Level of independence: Operates with substantial latitude for un-reviewed action or decision making.
Exercising judgment: Exercises independent judgment in determining priorities based on general direction and in determining methods or procedures on new or special assignments; typically communicates issues and progress on a quarterly basis.
Level of authority to make exceptions: Typically has authority to make exceptions to policy or procedures under guidelines.
Education and Experience
Years of experience: 7+ years of relevant experience or MS/MA/MBA/JD with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
Typical education level: BS/BA in related discipline or equivalent, related experience; advanced degree or certification may be preferred or required.