Princeton University Library Human Resources

Important comments about the Primary Characteristics Statements
Compensable Factors
Grade B Positions -- Primary Characteristics
Grade C Positions -- Primary Characteristics
Grade D Positions -- Primary Characteristics
Grade E Positions -- Primary Characteristics
Grade F Positions -- Primary Characteristics
Grade G Positions -- Primary Characteristics

Important Comments about The Primary Characteristics Statements

The statements assist the process of classification, but the most important judgment a position classifier makes is that about "general comparability" between and among questionnaires. Not every single word or concept in a statement for a given grade need apply to each questionnaire in that grade. A "reasonably good fit" between the general language of the primary characteristics and the specific, detailed statements in the questionnaire is the objective. Sometimes the "fit" or "match" will be made readily because the statement and job content quickly appear to be consistent. In other cases, a classifier may assign a position to a grade while recognizing that a limited number of job elements in the questionnaire might reflect language of a statement of primary characteristics in the next higher or lower grade.

Compensable Factors

1. Level of Knowledge and Skill
This factor represents the character of the knowledge and skills required to perform the duties of the position, meeting the established standards of performance. These job standards are either directly expressed or clearly implied in the Position Description Form. Job content is examined with regard to the nature of the tasks performed and to the level of knowledge required to perform these tasks effectively. It is the tasks themselves and the skill required to perform them that are evaluated, not the level of skill of the incumbent in the position.

2. Analysis and Decision Making
This factor expresses the inherent difficulty of the tasks involved in a job, and it also identifies the characteristics of the decisions which the incumbent in the position is expected and authorized to make. Job content is examined with regard to the amount and type of analysis required to make decisions and the autonomy allowed to the person making these decisions.

3. Leadership
This factor relates to the requirements of the position to provide direction to the work of others. Some leadership demands may exist even when the incumbent in a position has no direct responsibility for the total performance of others. In these circumstances, the leadership factor relates only to general guidance or coordination of the work of others. Other positions, however, have substantial leadership roles, including personnel administration responsibilities such as participation in the selection, training, development, or motivation of Library Assistants; or in performance appraisals of Student Assistants.

GRADE B POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

Knowledge of basic rules and procedures for sorting library materials is required. Attendant knowledge of the locations of collections within Princeton University Libraries may also be required so that certain questions from patrons can be answered. General clerical routines must be performed.

Assignments tend to involve highly structured analyses to determine appropriate relationships among library materials, with choices being significantly restricted by the rules and procedures that must be followed.

The position may require the incumbent to offer very limited, occasional technical training and/or advice to student support and Library Assistant co-workers.

GRADE C POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

Assignments tend to require knowledge of a body of standard procedures, used in a sequential, systematic manner and applied to activities of some small variety. Knowledge of standard library practices permits communication of a limited amount of authoritative information to internal work units and/or to patrons. The application of carefully defined procedures may extend to the operation and adjustment of equipment or to the use of preservation techniques. Support activities for administrative functions utilize well established programs.

Assignments usually permit some selection from among a small number of options available for completing the work. The choices tend to be readily identifiable for each situation. An incumbent may be required to orient new employees in the same work he or she performs or in closely related work functions.

GRADE D POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

The work utilizes some advanced knowledge of a limited body of procedures and operations, acquired through extended periods of training and experience, in some independent interpretation of the most appropriate activity necessary for maintaining varied library systems. This includes those systems relating to technical and administrative functions. The underlying organization or structure of the systems used during assignments is known in detail. Comprehensive, authoritative information may be shared with internal work units and/or patrons.

Assignments regularly require recognition and consideration of possible deviations from standards and norms. The incumbent is expected to understand the limits of the analyses that can be performed and/or adjustments and corrections that can be made prior to referring the matter to others having definitive knowledge related to the issue.

Assignments might also require acting in a lead worker role, giving technical direction to Library Assistants performing basic library functions, or acting in a functional leadership role for a part-time Library Assistant.

The work frequently involves providing guidance to student support workers. The requirements range from orientation training of new students to full responsibility for the supervision of the work of the students, including their selection, training, scheduling, and evaluation of performance.

GRADE E POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

Knowledge of an extensive body of procedures and operations in a specialized aspect of library functions is applied independently to nonroutine, inter-related activities. The knowledge can be utilized to establish the definitive accuracy of certain specified information. Nuances in complex data regularly appear and
must be correctly addressed during the performance of assignments.

The work requires the incumbent to perform all aspects of an assignment within the array of established standards and policies applicable to the issue. This includes addressing all but the most unusual deviations from those policies by deciding upon an appropriate disposition of the matter that is consistent with precedents. The incumbent is expected to seek expert assistance for an occurrence which has potential to disrupt established programs and systems.

Occasionally these positions may require giving technical support to a Library Assistant performing a special assignment for a limited, fixed period of time.

GRADE F POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

The work requires either:

--An understanding of basic levels of the theories, principles, concepts, and methodologies governing the work performed

and/or:

--extensive practical knowledge of advanced technical or administrative methods that govern complicated activities, operations, or equipment.

Assignments regularly interface and overlap the boundaries of the fully professional work of the disciplines within which the activity is performed. A distinctive level of independence in the application of knowledge is evident.

The incumbent may be required to modify or make original entries of bibliographic data for Princeton University Libraries Catalog, and/or make entries into a national bibliographic utility,

or:

the incumbent may be required to develop and implement procedures to organize and control the application of complex technical and administrative practices in one or more major library functions.

These positions may require that the incumbent maintain full library services within a unit in the absence of the librarian through the guidance and supervision of both Library Assistant staff and student support, including on-going, annual responsibility for substantial participation in the selection, development, motivation, and evaluation of work of both Library Assistants and students.

GRADE G POSITIONS -- Primary Characteristics

The Grade G positions are unique extensions of the content of Grade F positions. They arise from decisions to expand the range and extent of the overlap of skills and responsibilities that exists between the work of professional staff and the work of library assistants in Grade F positions.

The work requires advanced, in-depth knowledge of one major specialized collection, subject area, or aspect of library functions, as well as extensive knowledge of all related library functions, and a thorough understanding of the underlying theories, principles, concepts, and methodologies governing the work performed. A preponderance of the work requires:

--extensive knowledge of all operations in a specialized collection, such that the incumbent may train, and assign, direct and oversee the work of, and serve as the primary resource person for, other library assistants and student workers assigned to a variety of tasks in that collection,

and/or:

--in-depth knowledge of resources available to users in a specific subject area, such that the incumbent can provide full first-line reference service and instruct patrons in using a wide variety of tools to access materials, or can prepare finding aids to assist users in their research, or assist in the selection of new materials,

and/or:

--detailed knowledge of complex policies and procedures governing a major library function, which may include the ability to create-- without close supervisory review--original entries, or original modifications to records, for inclusion in a shared national database, applying national and internal standards for content and format, or which may include the ability to deal independently with complex supply problems, assembling pertinent information and composing appropriate correspondence.

A distinctive level of independence and authority in the application of knowledge is evident.

The incumbent is expected to address novel and complex problems--either identified within the work unit or referred from outside--defining, investigating, and resolving them independently in most cases, and taking responsibility for those actions. The incumbent may be authorized to make certain decisions affecting library service and/or may share in developing and documenting policies. Review of work is minimal, and usually initiated by the incumbent rather than the supervisor. The working relationship with professional staff is one of collaboration and mutual consultation.

The position may require that the incumbent regularly oversee the day-to-day operations of a unit, as well as maintain full library services within the unit in the absence of the librarian. This may entail taking full responsibility for the selection, training, scheduling, motivation, and evaluation of large numbers of student assistants, and/or ongoing participation in the selection, development, motivation, and evaluation of other library assistants in the unit. Training responsibilities may include extensive training of other library assistants in complex duties, and long-term guidance as well.

June 26, 1997; finalized 11/97