Position Management
Position management at Smith is a process by which college leadership monitors FTE growth and headcounts, ensuring the workforce is appropriately balanced and focused on achieving the mission and strategy of the college. The college has implemented a systematic approach to position management requests allowing for consistent, fair and equitable responses to how requests are identified, evaluated, and approved. All positions are reviewed monthly by human resources and the budget office. Please work with your HR partner to discuss specifics of your workforce.
Process Based on Type of Action
The following types of position-related activities go through the position management process:
- Replacing an existing position*
- Hiring a new fixed-term position*
- Hiring a centrally-funded temp or grant-funded role
- Extending an existing fixed-term position or expanding hours for an existing position
* If hiring a new position or modifying an existing position by more than 25%, your HR partner will engage the Total Rewards team to complete a job evaluation.
- Please allow up to two weeks for this analysis to be completed.
- If there are no or minor changes (less than 25%) to an existing role, a job evaluation by the Total Rewards team is not needed.
Position Management Process
The position management process begins when an existing position becomes vacant or a new fixed-term position is created. As roles open, managers should assess whether roles can be refined, consolidated, etc. Please work with your HR partner to discuss the specifics of your workforce. Any changes to current staffing should go through the process as outlined in the table that follows. All requests for additions to staff need to go through the annual strategic initiatives process.
Steps to follow when you have a vacancy:
- Review the position request with your respective cabinet member and secure their approval to proceed
- Ensure the job description is accurate and up-to-date
Note: if this is a new position or if material changes are being made to an existing position that change the role by 25% or more, it must be reviewed by your HR Partner and then the Total Rewards team prior to submission. Please allow up to two weeks for this review. - Fill out the Position Management Google Form to submit your request for approval.
The Position Management Committee generally meets during the first week of every month. The position management form should be submitted at least one week prior. - Generally about one week after the PMC meeting, your Recruiting Specialist will let you know if the position has been approved, and how to begin the recruitment process. For questions on the hiring process, please contact your Recruiting Specialist at recruiting-u@smith.edu.
Use this table to navigate the steps for position approvals
Scenario | Action |
Straight replacement of staff No or minor changes to current job |
Submit position management form for approval. Ensure job description is up to date. If there are minor changes to the description, note as such when you share it with your recruiting specialist or HR partner. |
Repurpose open staff role Proposal to change job materially e.g. changing the essential functions by greater than 25% or change in reporting relationship. Contact your HR Partner to discuss. |
Submit position management form for approval. Ensure job description is complete and has been reviewed by your HR partner and Total Rewards prior to submission (allow up to two weeks for Total Rewards review). |
Extension of fixed-term staff Use this category to request to extend the planned end date for a fixed-term role. Note that fixed-term positions are not part of the regular budgeted staff of the department. |
Submit position management form with justification for extension and information regarding funding. |
Change to regular hours Select this category to request a modification of the standard hours for a job. |
Submit position management form with justification for change to hours and information regarding funding. Ensure job description is up to date and send it to your HR partner. |
Addition of regular staff Regularization of fixed-term to regular staff |
Requests for additions to staff or regularization of fixed-term should go through the strategic initiative process. Please see your HR partner and cabinet member to discuss. |
Addition of fixed-term staff, department funded | Departments with funding may request a new fixed-term role through the position management process. Ensure the job description is complete and has been reviewed by your HR partner and Total Rewards prior to submission. |
Addition or extension to grant-funded roles | Grant-funded roles should go through the position management submission process for approval by the Office of Grants & Sponsored Research and your HR partner. |
Temporary or casual position | Approval for casual and agency temporary employees should be approved by your cabinet member and HR partner. If the temporary employee is slated to cover a vacant position, or employee on leave, please complete the appropriate process as described under Hiring Temporary or Casual Workers (immediately following) to apply for central funding. |