From the Dean: Journeys update

Journeys is a multi-part and multi-step process designed to create transparency in human resource (HR) management at UGA. The most recent phase of Journeys implementation involves a new classification structure for all staff members. Each staff member is classified in one of four career tracks:

• Management (M): Work that involves achieving organizational goals and objectives through the direct management of people and teams. This exempt position includes supervisory responsibility for at least 2.0 regular FTE. (exempt position)
• Professional (P): Work that requires the consistent application of knowledge, usually acquired though education, specialized training, and experience in a specific field. (exempt position)
• Business operations and support (S): Roles that are responsible for providing hands-on support or services to the organization for day-to-day operations. (non-exempt position)
• Technical/Paraprofessional (T): Roles that are technical or operationally focused and are comprised of qualified staff who are often highly specialized in a trade. (non-exempt position)

In the College, we have people in all four of these career tracks. Within each of these tracks there are levels, generally 1-4. The vast majority of our staff members are at levels 1 and 2 with a handful at level 3, based on job descriptions (rather than the individual’s skill level or experience in the role). More information about levels is available on the leveling guide.

In May, the College was given a preliminary classification of all staff members by track and level, and we were asked to review and suggest changes. That review was done by Jonathan Bemid, Andy Garber, Ed Degado-Romero, and myself. We submitted proposed changes and questions via a SmartSheet and then met with an HR team to review our changes and questions. That review continued through August with individual changes being made as recently as this week. Our goal in the review was to make sure jobs that perform the same role in the College were in the same track and level.

If you have not yet received information about your classification from your supervisor, you will be receiving it soon. It will also be visible to you in OneSource beginning Monday, Sept. 1. The month of September is a time for staff members to raise questions and concerns about their classification.

Please submit your questions and concerns to Takenya Moore and copy your supervisor, and she will work through them with HR. We want to take the time to get things right because the next steps include a review of classifications across the University, salary leveling, and a promotion ladder, which is still under development within HR.