Office of Human Resources

Classification is the organizing of positions into groups (or classes) on the basis of similar duties, responsibilities and qualification requirements. A class is a specific group of occupational positions which are so similar in duties and responsibilities as to justify common treatment in compensation, qualification requirements and other employment policies and procedures. A position, vacant or occupied, is characterized by certain duties and responsibilities which determine its classification title in accordance with the class specifications approved by the Trustees of The California State University.

An incumbent employee does not by virtue of experience, education, length of service, loyalty or seniority determine the classification title. It is the position, not the employee which is classified. Classification is determined solely by the duties and responsibilities assigned or delegated by the supervisor to the position. A classification title is a definitive designation of an employee's position. A class specification (class standard) is a written description of class duties, responsibilities and qualification standards.

The classification of a position is characterized by the duties and responsibilities of a position and the qualification requirements demanded of the position. Employees are entitled to request a reclassification review according to the provisions in the appropriate collective bargaining agreement. Changes in position assignments do occur which due to timing or other factors have not been brought to the attention of the Office of Human Resources. If such changes in duties are of a nature and scope which cause the position to be classified improperly, some corrective action, i.e., a modification of assigned duties or reclassification, should be taken.

Reclassification recognizes that a position is improperly classified for the nature and level of work requirements and redefines the position in line with actual duties and responsibilities performed. Reclassification is not promotion. A reclassed employee does not change jobs; rather, the reclassification recognizes an existing inequity between the position's current classification and work assignment.

If an employee feels that they would like a classification review, a "Position Description Form" may be picked up in Human Resources. Once completed, this form should be forwarded to their Supervisor/Cabinet Officer for review and forwarded to the Office of Human Resources. A review will be completed and a recommendation of classification will be made to the appropriate Cabinet Officer.

General Salary Increases (GSI) are the annual cost of living raises that are negotiated between the Trustees of the CSU and the various bargaining units.

Service Based Salary Increases (SSI) are available in various bargaining units based on length of service and satisfactory performance. The percentage of these increases are negotiated between the Trustees of the CSU and various bargaining units. SSI increases may occur between the minimum and the SSI maximum of the salary range.

Performance Based Salary Increases (PBSI) are available on an annual basis for employees who consistently exceed their supervisor's expectations. A PBSI may be received by an employee whose salary falls between the minimum and the PBSI maximum of the range for that particular classification.