Page 52 - Personnel Policy and Procedures Manual

Section 400.002 - What Positions are Eligible?

The primary criterion for advancement through a Career Ladder is whether or not your department needs
someone to perform the more complex duties and responsibilities stated in the job description for the higher
classification. The positions that lend themselves most readily to a Career Ladder are those already assigned
a regular progression, i.e., jobs with levels such as I, II, and III. However, individual Career Ladders can be
developed for most jobs. A sample of the administrative support career ladder is provided at the end of this
section of the Guide.

Section 400.003 - Why Participate in Career Ladders?

Employees

• You can learn new skills and duties at your own pace while performing your current duties.
• You can advance in your current position without competition.
• You can demonstrate initiative and a willingness to consider department and Augusta, Georgia
goals.
• You can assume more responsibility and advance your career without moving to a different

department.

Managers

• You retain valued employees who are motivated to advance their careers.
• You can attract high quality employees.
• You maintain a work force of well-trained employees who have high morale.

• You provide more high quality services to your customers.

Section 400.004 - How to Initiate a Career Ladder Progression

There are two types of Career Ladders - Pre-Approved and Individual. The Pre-Approved Career Ladders
shall be developed in conjunction with the respective Department Directors by the Human Resources
Classification & Compensation Administration and Management unit, and made available on the
Classification & Compensation Administration & Management’s link on the HR Website. The Individual
Career Ladder is used for progressions where no pre-approved ladder exists and for unique progressions.
For example, an Individual Career Ladder might be used for an employee who is an Administrative
Assistant I and wishes to progress to an Accounting Tech position.

After the employee and the employee’s manager have agreed that a Career Ladder is appropriate, the
process is initiated by the manager. A completed Pre-Approved or Individual Career Ladder form,
containing the education, experience, distinguishing characteristics, and job responsibilities required for
progression to the higher classification is required. The employee and manager must complete and sign this
form. It includes a proposed time-line for completing the acquisition of the necessary skills or knowledge
and the proposed salary increase. The salary increase will be based on the employee’s additional
qualifications using the same criteria that would be used if the next level position had been filled through

All Rights Reserved – As approved by the Commission on 05-07-2019 52 | P a g e