161.1

As a family, the Staff Support positions provide a broad range of professional administrative support to program managers, business office managers, department heads or administrative officers within the University. Distinctions between classes within the group are based primarily upon the complexity of the support provided. The difficulty of the work, degree of supervision received, autonomy in making program related decisions, and educational and experiential prerequisites are all valid criteria in classifying a position within the series. Classification actions on these positions are not mutually exclusive, and a large and complex department or division may have several individuals working in one or more of these titles.

Senior Staff Associate: (SL-5)

As a class, can be distinguished from lower level staff support titles in that incumbents are usually responsible for campus or university-wide programs, as compared to employees responsible for specialized duties within a department or division. Incumbents work at the highest professional level, and frequently assist a president, vice president or provost in the general administration of a program. Typical duties include: planning, developing, and implementing the operation of one of the Campus Business Offices such as Purchasing, Payroll, Accounting or a similar area; administration of grants, including design, writing and execution of grant proposals; overseeing the interface of financial data for the production of departmental or campus financial statements; organization and presentation of workshops and seminars to faculty and staff on such topics as external funding strategies and tactics, Affirmative Action initiatives, etc.; ensuring the integrity of financial information and records; functioning as the responsible administrative officer in a department or division; developing institutional research, training and program grants; reviewing faculty generated proposals and make recommendations.

A Bachelor’s degree and five (5) to seven (7) years of applicable administrative experience. Graduate education, including the attainment of a terminal degree, will frequently be required.

State Title Code: 3754609

SUNY Title Code: 3173

Revised: 09/29/88

161.2

Staff Associate: (SL-4)

As a class, may be distinguished from Senior Staff Assistant and Staff Assistant by the degree of complexity and autonomy found in assignments. At this level, individuals are typically assigned full responsibility for a major program area within a department or administrative office or may serve as second-in-charge to the Director. Incumbents are indirectly supervised, receiving their direction via stated goals from the department or unit head. They are then responsible for meeting such goals or commitments. Supervision is normally exercised over clerical and professional support staff.

Typical duties may include: development of capital and operating budget requests for the department or administrative area; coordination of all fiscal operations for a department or division; preparation of financial reports; implementing new accounting systems or upgrading current systems; development and maintenance of management information or other computer applications; development of internal fiscal guidelines and procedures; providing liaison with other departments at a high level; participate in writing grant proposals; developing appropriate applications of technological advancements to support systems; developing position descriptions, performance programs for department employees; provide departmental contact with regulatory agencies; represent department head at meetings in his/her absence; prepare detailed written correspondence; supervise and coordinate a department’s or division’s grant initiative, including identification of funding sources, monitoring grant fund expenditures and compliance with grant requirements; and advise the department head on matters pertaining to minority recruitment and retention.

A Bachelor’s degree and three (3) to five (5) years of significant administrative experience. Graduate education is commonly required as applicable.

State Title Code: 3754606

SUNY Title Code: 3174

Revised: 09/29/88

161.3

Senior Staff Assistant: (SL-3)

As a class, is distinguished from Staff Assistant by the level and type of activities performed. While incumbents commonly supervise support staff, the staff is often larger and the office environment more complex. In addition, responsibility for various important programs or initiatives may be assigned. The work is performed with a greater degree of autonomy and the supervision received is of a general nature. Typical responsibilities may include: responsibility for all administrative matters for the department head in his/her absence, or as delegated; developing, preparing and monitoring departmental or research budgets; monitoring expenditures and supervising the maintenance of financial accounts and records; general ledger activities and financial reporting; preparation of monthly and year end journal entries; interviewing, hiring, training and making recommendations concerning the evaluation, promotion, and termination of support staff; planning, assigning, reviewing and supervising the work of subordinates and support staff; reviewing and approving appointment recommendations, purchase requisitions and personnel transactions before final consideration by department head, dean, etc.; monitoring Affirmative Action initiatives and compliance; draft correspondence for department head’s signature.

In an academic setting, duties may also typically include: responsibility for recruitment and admissions activity in a school or department; maintenance of student and current academic records; development and preparation of data for all course and section analysis; coordination of private philanthropy activity; coordination of special event programming; providing first line liaison between the department and various groups or publics.

A Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of responsible administrative experience. Advanced educational attainment or specialized experience will be required as applicable.

State Title Code: 3754608

SUNY Title Code: 3175

Revised: 09/29/88

161.4

Staff Assistant: (SL-2)

This is the first level of professional support positions. Incumbents are often assigned the tasks of coordinating the personnel and business aspects of an office or department. Frequently, both functional and administrative supervision if exercised over a small clerical support staff.. General supervision is received from a dean, director, department chair or senior administrator, and most work is verified. Typical responsibilities may include: planning, scheduling and assigning work to support staff; assisting in the planning and preparation of a department’s or division’s budget request; performing routine monthly reconciliations and analysis for internal and external purposes; assisting in the preparation and submission of grant applications; providing liaison between the Director/Department Chair and the professional staff of the institution with respect to administrative matters; gathering research and statistical data as requested; supervising Graduate Assistants, Teaching Assistants, Student Interns; maintaining office budget; monitoring faculty and professional appointments with respect to operative dates for contract renewal, permanent appointment; and prioritizing mail.

A Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years of responsible work experience. Specialized experience (e.g., familiarity with computer software packages) will be required as necessary.

State Title Code: 3754607

SUNY Title Code: 3176

Revised: 09/28/88