Skip navigation | Text-only | Español
Career-Banding

WHAT IS CAREER-BANDING?

Career-Banding is a new classification and compensation system for North Carolina State Government. Jobs performing similar kinds of work with similar knowledge, skill, and ability (KSA) requirements -- competencies -- are organized into broad classifications with wide pay ranges. Pay ranges and rates are based on current labor market information. Pay is tied to these rates according to the competency levels that are needed and demonstrated on the job.

FORMS

HOW IS IT DIFFERENT?

Career-Banding cuts down on the number of classifications and widens pay ranges, making it a more manageable system. It also centers on Career Development for employees. Employees interested in advancing their careers can stay in the same banded classification (and often the same position) without having to move to another classification through promotion or reclassification. They may seek to increase their competency levels through Career Development rather than change jobs. This can be beneficial to both the employee and the organization. Career-Banding also has a dispute resolution process for employees who want to have pay decisions reconsidered.

LINKS

HOW IS IT BEING DEVELOPED?

The current system is outdated and overloaded with classes. Pay should be based on current market rates to help retain qualified employees. Pay should link primarily to demonstrated competencies (job-related skills, knowledge, abilities, and key behaviors).

WHAT ARE THE COMPETENCY LEVELS?

  • CONTRIBUTING: Work requires skills that are not as complex as Journey according to the class guidelines; or, Entry to Fully-Acquired skills
  • JOURNEY: Fully-Acquired skills, and work requires a variety of different skills, program knowledge, and technical skills
  • ADVANCED: Expert or "senior level" of skills and work requires leadership, managing confidential information, and handling the most complex tasks described in the guidelines.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED BENEFITS?

  • Managers will have more flexibility in position design and pay decisions. 
  • Employees will be able to move up through the pay range by acquiring and demonstrating new job-related competencies.
  • Career Banding puts more emphasis on recruiting and promoting based on demonstrated competencies, which should enable FSU to attract and keep more talented employees.
  • Salary decisions shift from job-based to person-based.
  • Career Banding puts greater emphasis on Career Development. Supervisors will be asked to plan career development and training to help you increase your competencies.