An introduction to EPA Non-Faculty Position Classification Guidelines

EPA Non-Faculty positions are broadly divided into three categories: Research, Instruction, and Senior Academic and Administrative Officers (SAAOs). Any position which is requested for classification to EPA non-faculty status must be classified into one of these categories. These categories are summarized below per UNC General Administration guidelines. Detailed guidance on these criteria is also available at the UNC General Administration web site in policy number 300.1.1 and 300.2.5. EPA Student employees are of themselves a separate classification and not included under EPA non-faculty classification guidelines.

In considering whether a position qualifies for a particular EPA non-faculty classification category, an important guideline is whether at least 50% or greater of the position's primary duties and functions satisfy the job content and criteria specified by the EPA non-faculty guidelines.

 

The below descriptions of each EPA position subcategory include minimum education and experience requirements for purposes of recruitment and selection. Departments may establish requirements at a minimum that meet these requirements and may exceed them if deemed appropriate based on specific operational needs. The specific nature of required experience, when applicable, is determined by the Department Head within the general parameters noted for each position.  As the stated position guidelines may not anticipate every unique situation or operational need, exceptions to these guidelines may be requested from the EPA Non-Faculty HR unit of the Office of Human Resources to address special circumstances with the concurrence of the relevant Dean of Vice Chancellor in the requesting unit's administrative approval chain.

• Criteria and Minimum Requirements for Instructional Positions
• Criteria and Minimum Requirements for Research Positions
• Criteria and Minimum Requirements for SAAO Positions

Note: The stated minimum education and experience guidelines were approved by the Chancellor's cabinet on 10/7/2008.

Information about how to submit a request to establish an EPA position and the submission deadline schedule for SAAO positions is available on this website, under the topic Creation or Modification of EPA Non-Faculty Positions.

It should be noted that most positions to be classified as SAAO must be approved both at the campus-level (EPA Non-Faculty Classification Committee) and at the UNC General Administration level (EPA Subcommittee of the HR Council, the Human Resources Advisory Board - HRAB). This necessarily involves a longer period of time than gaining approval for a Research or Instructional position. Therefore, to ensure a department does not unnecessarily invest a large amount of time going through the SAAO classification process, and thereby delaying recruitment, extra care should be exercised before presuming a position qualifies for SAAO status. 

Regardless of duties, positions within the Schools designated at the Assistant/Associate Dean-level or derivations of that title are automatically afforded SAAO status. The award of such ranks however must have the approval of the Dean and the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

Regardless of duties, positions within the University Administration designated at the Assistant/Associate Vice Chancellor-level or derivations of that title are automatically afforded SAAO status. The award of such ranks however must have the approval of the relevant Vice Chancellor and the Chancellor.

Newly created Vice Chancellor positions must be approved by our campus Board of Trustees and the UNC System President prior to any appointment being conferred (see UNC General Administration Policy Number 600.3.4, Section D.1.b.).