Career-Banding at NC State University
In an effort to enhance recruitment and retention efforts by becoming more competitive in the labor market and also to improve career advancement opportunities, NC State is transitioning from its current classification and pay system to a career-banding program. The program is being developed using the guidelines provided by the Office of State Personnel (OSP).
What Is Career-Banding?
Career-banding is a new program developed in partnership with Office of State Personnel (OSP) to enable more flexible salary administration and enhanced career growth opportunities for employees. The current system of pay grades and job classes is being replaced with broad salary ranges (career bands) encompassing specific occupational areas (job families). These job families are
Implemented Career Bands
Pending Career Bands
Why Is Career-Banding Being Implemented?
It is NC State's goal to compensate employees at a level that promotes successful work behavior; emphasizes demonstrated competencies linked to organizational goals; reinforces high standards of performance; and maintains the labor market competitiveness necessary to recruit, retain, and develop a competent and diverse work force.
How Does Career-Banding Change the Way Employee Pay Is Determined?
In the current classification system, salaries are determined based on how many years/months of related education and experience an employee possesses. In career-banding, compensation is based on employee competency levels and labor market rates for each occupational area.
Competencies are knowledge, skills, and work behaviors that contribute to employees' success in their job. The new career-band specifications identify the specific competencies needed to perform the work assigned. There are three competency levels in each band. These are not performance levels.
Funds that traditionally supported salary adjustments resulting from reclassifications and in-range salary adjustments will be used for career-banding adjustments.
Within each band, employee salaries are determined by several factors.
- Budget and the availability of funding
- Market pay rates
- Competencies
- Minimum qualifications for the band
- Related education and experience
- Duties and responsibilities
- Specialized training, certifications and licenses
- Internal pay alignment (equity)
- Current salary and total compensation
As competencies are developed through work experience, education, and training and are demonstrated (used) on the job, employees become eligible for salary adjustment consideration. Increases are subject to funding availability.
Career Development
The career-banding program includes work planning and performance evaluation just like the current classification system. Work plans are developed and interim and annual reviews are conducted. Supervisors and employees work together to establish career development plans. If evaluation shows that employees have developed and demonstrated new or higher level competencies, they may be eligible for salary adjustment consideration. refer to the Career-Banding Plan for details.
