Overview --> Appointments and Promotions Table of Contents --> Technical Staff and Departmental Assistants --> Ladders

There are two complete career ladders, Technical Staff (exempt) and Departmental Assistant (non-exempt) for each career path. (see Figure)

There are three basic categories of positions on the Technical Staff:

1. Research Associate I, Information Systems Associate I, or Engineer I are entry level positions for jobs that require professional competence, independence, and creativity in relevant skills in the laboratory or field. Research Associate II, Information Systems Associate II, and Engineer II are positions where competence, independence, and creativity have been demonstrated in relevant skills in the laboratory or field. Research Associate III, Information Systems Associate III, and Research Engineers, are positions where superior competence, independence, and creativity have been demonstrated in relevant skills in the laboratory or field. At this professional level, individuals are expected to undertake demanding professional assignments with minimum supervision; to exercise innovativeness in design, interpretation or implementation; and to have motivation for continued renewal and development of their professional skills. They are expected to represent the scientists or senior technical staff with whom they are associated at poster sessions and symposia, and to author or co-author technical reports or similar material documenting their accomplishments. Associates and Engineers are usually responsible to members of the Scientific Staff or to more senior members of the Technical Staff.
   
   
2. Research Specialists or Information System Specialists or Senior Engineers demonstrate unusual ability in applying their professional skills to engineering, information systems, scientific, or policy problems. At this level individuals must have a documented record of superior individual accomplishment in the form of patents, publications, or thoroughly documented hardware or software which provides objective evidence of original professional contributions. They also are expected to take an active interest in the welfare of the Institution by such activities as participation in Department or Center affairs and service on Institution and national committees. Individuals at this level usually report directly to a Department Chair, Center Director, or a designated Senior Scientist. They are authorized to prepare and submit proposals as Principal Investigators, although these projects must be closely linked to ongoing or proposed efforts of the Scientific Staff.

3. Senior Research Specialists or Information Systems Specialists or Principal Engineers must have demonstrated unusual originality and professional accomplishment. They must have made, and be expected to continue to make, significant contributions to the advancement of their profession and oceanography and to have an international reputation for excellence and leadership, parallel in their own discipline to that expected of Senior Scientists. Senior Research Specialists, Senior Information Systems Specialists, and Principal Engineers are responsible to the Department Chair or Center Director, and are expected to play a significant role managing projects and people, staff and students, participating on national and Institution committees and providing assistance and advice to their colleagues. They may pursue independent technical, policy, or engineering projects and submit proposals as Principal Investigators.

Similarly there are three basic categories on the Departmental Assistant ladder:

1. Laboratory Assistants I and II perform assigned duties within the research programs which require little or no specialized skill. The educational level expected is high school or equivalent (I) and some college (II). Many part-time (e.g., summer) or trainee positions are at this level.

2. Departmental Assistants I, II and III perform duties requiring specific training or experience. Specialized training, undergraduate education, or significant experience is required for these positions. As Assistants progress through their ladder, they are expected to develop leadership skills and to display innovativeness in developing and implementing operational, technical, and analytical techniques.

3. Senior Research, Information Systems, and Engineering Assistants I and II positions are reserved for those extremely experienced and skilled Assistants, who through substantial experience and consistently high performance, have demonstrated a superior ability to perform their tasks. These individuals are responsible for training and supervising other Departmental Assistant staff, for management of groups and operations in the laboratory and at sea, and for performing highly skilled tasks without direct supervision.