Reclassification Freeze

November 2009 – February 2010

UCM Human Resources has been working on bringing a new staff classification system to the campus, Career Tracks. Career Tracks is the UCM version of Career Compass developed at UC Berkeley. In 2001 UC Berkeley began work on a new job classification program for their campus with the following program objectives:

·        Recruit, retain, reward and develop employees;

·        Implement a consistent, equitable, transparent and market-based system for classifying jobs;

·        Improve the quality and delivery of data available to make compensation decisions;

·        Clarify job duties and link them to performance management and career development opportunities;

·        Provide tools and methods for standardized performance evaluations;

·        Foster staff career development based on performance and the needs of the organization.

The Career Tracks program at UC Merced will provide management opportunities to meet most of the objectives of the Berkeley program.

As UC Merced moves from the planning to work phase of the project it is critical that the campus undertakes a sound basis for job classification work including job family and standard identification and development. In Career Tracks methodology this process is referred to as “mapping” and will take place from November 2009 – February 2010.

In order to effectively and efficiently meet the challenges of the mapping process, UCM senior management has decided to halt the reclassification of existing positions from November 1, 2009 until completion of the mapping and pricing process in February 2010. During this time no existing positions will be reclassified with the possible exception of positions which become vacant and these will be classified using the current classification system in place prior to Career Tracks. During this time period Lori Hoffman, Career Tracks Project Director and Human Resources consultants, will work with supervisors and managers to ensure the accurate slotting of existing UCM staff positions into the appropriate classification in the new Career Tracks system. Current plans are to fully implement the new Career Tracks classification program, effective April 1, 2010.

Please note that reclassification requests received in Human Resources prior to November 1, 2009 will be processed consistent with current reclassification procedures.

At the conclusion of the project, prior to implementation, each non-represented staff employee will receive notification of their position’s assigned classification in Career Tracks and the applicable salary range based on target market pricing. Also, prior to implementation all Career Tracks classification mapping will be reviewed with appropriate management for internal and external equity. Questions should be directed to Lori Hoffman, Senior Compensation Consultant 209-228-2422 or Jim Kessler, Interim Assistant Vice Chancellor Human Resources 209-228-2935.