Professional and Scientific Pay Level Evaluation Criteria

To determine the appropriate pay level assignment for each classification, five evaluation criteria—knowledge and skills, judgment, breadth and scope of the role, impact and accountability, and communication impact—are applied to each job classification as defined by their key areas of responsibility or outcomes.

Professional and Scientific Pay Level Evaluation Criteria Accordion

  • Recognizes the level of theoretical knowledge and expertise gained through formal education relevant to the responsibility of the role.
  • Represents the applied knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of a job, without regard for how they are obtained.
  • Considers requirements of the position to include specific technical knowledge of a given field or discipline, certifications or licensing required to operate in the role.

  • Considers the level and complexity of judgment used in making decisions (e.g. whether according to clearly defined procedures, regulations, broad guidelines and policies, precedent or general principles).
  • Recognizes the degree of creativity and innovation expected in the role and the value it has to the college/division/department.
  • Considers the judgment and discretion exercised when dealing with sensitive and confidential information.
  • Recognizes the level of autonomy and independence of action in carrying out responsibilities (e.g. degree and type of supervision received).

  • Recognizes the breadth of responsibility across the organization or university (e.g.  need to work across colleges/divisions/departments).
  • Considers the scope and complexity of programs as well as the size of the college/division/department.
  • Considers the need to integrate or coordinate activities across or within a function, college/division/department or the university.

  • Considers the amount and level of influence the job exerts over the strategy and direction of the college/division/department or university and the ability to contribute to the achievement of the goals.
  • Recognizes the effect of actions and decisions, in terms of cost, savings, public image/reputation, relationships, or other variables realized from the decisions and actions typical of this position.
  • Considers degree of risk associated with role (e.g. impact of errors, risk of injury to others, risk of personal injury, etc).
  • Considers financial, programmatic and legal accountability of the role.
  • Considers the amount of functional and administrative supervision exercised in the role.

  • Reflects nature and complexity of interactions with others.
  • Assesses the importance to the University of the working relationships within and outside the university, including students, employees, internal and external customers.

Professional and Scientific Job Attribute Level Profiles

The level profile defines each of the university pay levels using the five job attributes—knowledge/skills, judgment, breadth/scope, impact/accountability, and communication—that serve as the university's evaluation criteria. Job classifications, defined by their key areas of responsibility or outcomes, are evaluated against the level profile to determine the appropriate pay level assignment for each classification.  The assignment of job classifications to pay levels is based upon the best fit of each classification's key areas of responsibility with a level, as defined by the evaluation criteria within the level profile.

Level Profiles

Knowledge/Skills

  • Basic knowledge, usually obtained through a four-year degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience within a specific field.
  • Skills related to critical thinking and independent judgment within the scope of a role (e.g. problem solving, analysis and problem solving).

Judgment

  • Applies knowledge to situations where there is interpretation and judgment required within a defined scope.
  • There is opportunity for creativity or innovation as part of the job within defined parameters.

Breadth/Scope

  • Facilitates activities with others within unit and may coordinate with others outside the unit on behalf of the work unit.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused at the work unit (dept/lab/program) level.

Impact/Accountability

  • Impact and risk of errors are generally limited within immediate work unit.
  • Accountable for quality and quantity of own work and generally not of others in the work unit

Communication

  • Effective communication involves gathering information, evaluating alternatives, and responding appropriately.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Understanding of recognized body of knowledge, which applies theory, techniques or principles; or specialized knowledge, enabling role to serve as a "designated resource" within work unit.

Judgment

  • Applies knowledge to situations where frequent interpretation of policies and procedures is required to determine proper course of action.
  • There is opportunity for creativity or innovation within defined parameters.

Breadth/Scope

  • Coordinates activities with others within unit and may coordinate with others outside the unit as the designated resource.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused at the work unit (dept/lab/program) level and occasionally with other work units

Impact/Accountability

  • Impact and risk of errors impacting performance are generally limited to immediate work unit and occasionally outside the work unit.
  • May be accountable for quality and quantity of work of others in the work unit.

Communication

  • Effective communication involves coordinating among members of the work unit and individuals from other work units to assure high quality work performance.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Advanced knowledge and application of theory, techniques, regulations and principles or concepts.

Judgment

  • Applies knowledge to varied situations, where there are several alternatives and the facts of the situation must be evaluated and defined.
  • Judgments and decisions rely on experience and are guided by policies and practices.
  • Creativity or innovation is expected at this level.

Breadth/Scope

  • Coordinates activities within work unit and with other work units.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused at the work unit (dept/lab/program) level and requires coordination with other work units.

Impact/Accountability

  • Impact and risk of errors impacting performance at both the immediate work unit and other outside work units.
  • Accountable for quality and quantity of work of others in the work unit and share responsibility for achieving unit results

Communication

  • Effective communication involves coordinating complex activities and information among members of the work unit and individuals from other work units to assure high quality work performance.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Comprehensive understanding of recognized body of knowledge, or a highly specialized discipline, requiring application of theory, techniques, regulations and principles.

Judgment

  • Applies knowledge to varied situations, where clear alternatives may not exist and the facts of the situation must be evaluated and defined.
  • Judgments and decisions rely on interpretations of policies and procedures.
  • Creativity or innovation is routinely expected at this level. 

Breadth/Scope

  • Leads the activities within work unit and coordinates with other work units.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused on achieving work unit outcomes in coordination with other work units

Impact/Accountability

  • Provides input into the development of the strategy and goals of the unit.
  • Accountable for the implementation and achievement of work unit goals; and for the quality and quantity of work of others in the work unit.
  • Impact and risk of errors impacting unit outcomes and related work units.

Communication

  • Effective communication involves coordinating complex and/or technical information among members of the work unit and individuals from other work units to assure outcomes are achieved.
  • At times may require skill in persuasion to influence others where there is difference of opinions.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Comprehensive understanding of recognized body of knowledge, or a highly specialized discipline, requiring application of theory, techniques, regulations and principles.
  • Requires planning/ coordination skills to manage inter-relationships among units and/or functions.

Judgment

  • Judgments and decisions rely on interpretations of policies, procedures and circumstances to establish course of action
  • Recommend policies and procedures based upon evaluation and analysis.
  • Decisions are coordinated with other units and/or functions.
  • Creativity or innovation is required at this level.

Breadth/Scope

  • Manages the activities of work unit and coordinates with other work units.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused on setting objectives and managing work unit outcomes.

Impact/Accountability

  • Shares responsibility for strategic planning and achievement of the goals of the department.
  • Accountability to manage results and risk of error through the work of others.
  • Has direct impact toward department results and indirect impact on other departments

Communication

  • Communications are integral to the management of work activities and coordination of others.
  • Responsible for effective communication within or across unit/department to assure outcomes are achieved.
  • Requires ability to persuade and influence others where there is difference of opinions and/or competing interests.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Comprehensive and in-depth understanding of recognized body of knowledge, or a highly specialized discipline, requiring advanced application of theory, techniques, regulations and principles
  • Ability to identify, create and apply new methods for achieving objectives

Judgment

  • Judgments and decisions, to achieve objectives, requiring independent decision-making guided by interpretation of broad policies and procedures.
  • Develops policies and procedures based upon evaluation and analysis.
  • Decisions impact other units and/or functions.
  • Creativity and innovation is a major component of this role.

Breadth/Scope

  • Manages the activities of cross functional or multiple work units.
  • Scope of responsibilities is focused on achievement of department or program objectives
  • Responsible for advising other departments or functions across the university in respective area of expertise.

Impact/Accountability

  • Responsibility for strategic planning and achievement of the goals of the department
  • Primary accountability is for achieving objectives and managing budget.
  • Accountability to manage significant risk as it impacts the department and other units of the University.

Communication

  • Communications are integral for the strategic and operational direction of the department.
  • Requires frequent use of tact, persuasion and negotiating skills with university leadership and external constituencies
  • Requires effective exchange of complex and sensitive information.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Requires broad knowledge of disciplines or programs or is a expert within a highly specialized field
  • Ability to develop & implement new systems, policies and procedures.
  • Ability to plan for, integrate and coordinate activities across related areas.

Judgment

  • Decisions are guided by strategic direction, operational objectives and interpretation of external rules and regulations requiring judgment and innovation.
  • Sets priorities and allocates resources to achieve annual and multi-year objectives.

Breadth/Scope

  • Responsible for the integration of cross-functional work units to achieve organizational objectives.
  • Responsible for achieving organizational strategic goals and objectives.
  • Responsible for creating and implementing new systems, policies and procedures for a large, complex organization(s) in respective area of expertise.

Impact/Accountability

  • Accountable for strategic direction and effectiveness of a large and/or multiple departments and its/their impact on the organization/division and the university.
  • Provide accountability for the finances, administrative leadership and management of the department(s), including the stewardship of people, finances and other resources.
  • Responsible for decisions and risks arising from the department(s) and their impact upon the organization and University.

Communication

  • Communicates about matters of strategic and tactical importance to a variety of stakeholders within and/or outside the university.
  • Requires communication skills necessary to effectuate change among various constituents.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Requires comprehensive knowledge of disciplines or programs
  • Requires administrative skills and leadership abilities to translate mission and goals into operational plans in a complex and diverse public university.

Judgment

  • Decisions include incorporating strategy into long-range plans for a division/organization and area based on university's goals and values and market/external factors.
  • Makes recommendations to final decision maker based upon strategic interests.
  • Judgments go beyond practice/precedents to address circumstances and issues distinctive to each situation.

Breadth/Scope

  • Directs the operation and contributes to the strategic goals of a division/organization.
  • Requires integration and coordination of specific programs and services across the university/enterprise
  • Implements strategic objectives with directors/managers to develop and align operational plans.

Impact/Accountability

  • Direct accountability for strategic direction and effectiveness of a significant function or segment of an organization and its impact upon the organizational/division and the University.
  • Accountable for the finances, administrative leadership, and management of a significant function or segment of an organization, including the stewardship of people, finances and other resources.
  • Responsible for the decisions and risk arising from a significant function or segment of an organization, and their impact upon the organization, university and Board of Regents, State of Iowa

Communication

  • Requires skillful communications in order to represent the university to key constituents, external relations, strategic direction and operational leadership for their organization and division.
  • Requires the ability to build and manage relationships with key internal and external constituents through timely and effective communications and persuasion.

Knowledge/Skills

  • Advanced administrative and strategic leadership skills in order to develop and achieve goals and work effectively in a complex and diverse public university.
  • Requires comprehensive understanding of external trends and issues impacting area of responsibility and their impact on organization/system's short- and long- term strategy and operating plans.

Judgment

  • Decisions include establishing strategy and long-range plans for significant division/organization based on university's goals and values and market/external factors.
  • Final decision-making authority for significant division/organization.
  • Judgments prioritize strategic initiatives and resources to maximize unit contribution to University while maintaining fiscal accountability.

Breadth/Scope

  • Directs complex and strategic division/organization and contributes to the direction of university.
  • Requires integration of programs and services across the university/enterprise.
  • Determines strategic objectives for the division/organization working with directors/ managers to develop and align operational plans.

Impact/Accountability

  • Direct accountability for strategic direction and effectiveness of a complex division/organization and its impact upon the university
  • Accountable for the finances, administrative leadership, and management of the division/organization, including the stewardship of people, finances, and other resources.
  • Responsible for the decisions and risks arising from the division/organization and their impact upon the university and Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Communication

  • Requires exceptional communication skill in order to represent the university to key constituents, involving governance, external relations, strategic direction and operational leadership for their organization and division, and the university as delegated.
  • Requires the ability to build and manage key relationships with a broad array of internal and external constituents through timely and effective communication and persuasion.

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