SAO LEVEL 1	SAO LEVEL 2	SAO LEVEL 3	SAO LEVEL 4
FACTORS	Entry (Inexperienced)	Operational	Advanced Operational	Specialist
Organizational Latitude	This is the entry level for the SAO series. Works under supervision. Incumbent is assigned duties of limited variety and complexity to be performed according to specific procedures under close supervision. Work is checked frequently, and there may be formal training. Provides information and advice to students. Makes referrals to higher level counselors, faculty and other campus resources as appropriate.	This is the journey level for the SAO series. Works under general supervision. Possesses full range of skills and knowledge and ability to assess students’ developmental needs and to make appropriate referrals to other campus services. Performs a variety of routine duties within established policies and procedures under general supervision.	This is the first exempt level for the SAO series where the incumbent may be Lead and/or 1st level of supervision. Works under direction. Receives assignments in objective oriented terms. Work is reviewed in terms of meeting organizational objectives and schedules. Incumbents utilize increased counseling skills to assess students’ needs especially for certain student populations (i.e., EAP, athletes, freshmen, etc.).	May act as unit’s Director of Student Affairs. Work is independent or under general direction. Makes recommendations and implements decisions on administrative/operational issues affecting strategically important department functions. Establishes organizational structure and accomplishes results through mid-level managers. Establishes supervisory relationships for operating unit/function. Accomplishments are reviewed from a long-term prospective for desired results.
Impact	Contributions are limited to specific, task-related activities. Errors in work result in internal unit delays but do not usually have a major affect on the organization.	Contributes to the completion of projects and goals. Errors in work or failure to achieve results cause moderate expenditures of resources and significant delays that may have an affect outside the department.	Assists in development of objectives and goals. Decisions/recommendations directly affect policies and procedures of major department/campus programs or systems. Lack of performance may result in failure to meet unit/department goals leading to critical delays/modifications to projects/operations as well as substantial use of unplanned resources.	Responsible for development of goals to meet department objectives. Participates in development of objectives. Develops concepts or framework for change within existing organization systems. Decisions/recommendations directly affect policies and procedures of major department/campus programs or systems. Lack of performance may result in failure to meet unit/department goals.
FACTORS	SAO LEVEL 1	SAO LEVEL 2	SAO LEVEL 3	SAO LEVEL 4
Job Knowledge	Requires theoretical knowledge of basic principles and concepts regarding University policies and procedures in the following areas: admissions, degree requirements, student recruitment, student scheduling/enrollment; residence classification. Application is limited. May lead and/or supervise Student Assistants.	Requires theoretical and operational knowledge of University policies and procedures regarding: degree requirements, unit policies, procedure and deadlines, and appropriate application to counseling function. Performs heavy interpretation of all policies and procedures. Is familiar with other UCI academic programs, administrative offices, and the full range of specialized services and programs available to students. Provides information and advice in following areas: admissions, degree requirements, student recruitment, student scheduling/enrollment and financial aid. Conducts career workshops/seminars; provides counseling to low-income and/or disabled students; participates in outreach efforts; coordinates fellowship program; assists in developing medical residency rotations. May lead and/or supervise Student Assistants.	May lead and/or supervise non-exempt employees directly. Manages a basic to complex function within a unit. Requires theoretical and operational knowledge as specified under Level 2. In addition, may require knowledge of regulatory changes regarding financial aid. Assists in development of policies/procedures specific to SAO function, including administration of a budget. In addition to areas listed under SAO II, incumbents further assist in developing training programs for students; may proctor student exams/quizzes.	Directs an operating function with primary focus on achieving short- and long-term goals. Acts independently within broad procedural guidelines. Responsible for the development of related functional procedures/policies. In addition to areas listed under SAO III, incumbents have full responsibility for overall management and direction for Student Affairs including: strategic planning & procedures; undergraduate and graduate admissions process; direction of grants and funding.
FACTORS	SAO LEVEL 1	SAO LEVEL 2	SAO LEVEL 3	SAO LEVEL 4
Administrative/ Management Liaison	Contacts are on routine matters and are typically restricted to the department. Occasional contacts outside the department as directed.	Frequent internal and external contacts on specific projects or subjects. Avoids friction or controversy.	Frequent system-wide contacts at various management levels concerning projects or operational issues.	Represents the organization and may serve as principal spokesperson for a complex function or specialized area of operation. Interacts regularly with internal and external counterparts as well as top management concerning direction of the operation or significance of the function.
Problem Solving	Requires limited application of established policies and procedures in matters of limited scope and where variables are minimal. Collects and compiles data regarding student counseling and enrollment.	Requires solutions to a variety of problems of moderate scope and complexity. Employs existing methodology with a variety of standard variables. Ability to collect and perform basic analysis of data regarding student counseling and enrollment. Provides initial recommendation. Compiles data into basic reports.	Establishes operating procedures for the organizational unit. Interprets, executes and recommends modifications to unit policies. Customarily and regularly exercises discretionary power within delegated authority. 1st level of analysis/research into defined problem/objective. Identifies relevant concerns/factors, identifies patterns, tendencies and relationships, formulates logical and objective conclusions, recognizes alternatives and develops plans to meet student needs. Makes recommendations to existing policy and procedures.	Establishes organizational procedures for a significant operating function. Interprets, executes and recommends modifications to department policies. Customarily and regularly exercises discretionary power within delegated authority. Directs overall analysis/research into defining problem/objective.
Supervisory Responsibility	If this position has full supervisory responsibility for 2 or more career FTEs, use Student Affairs Officer Supervisor (4350), PSS Grade H	If this position has full supervisory responsibility for 2 or more career FTEs, use Student Affairs Officer Supervisor (4350), PSS Grade I	If this position has full supervisory responsibility for 2 or more career FTEs, use Student Affairs Officer Supervisor (4350), PSS Grade J	If this position has full supervisory responsibility for 2 or more career FTEs, use Student Affairs Officer Supervisor (4350), PSS Grade K

FACTORS	SAO LEVEL 1	SAO LEVEL 2	SAO LEVEL 3	SAO LEVEL 4
FLSA Exemption	Non-Exempt	Non-Exempt	Exempt	Exempt
Typical Market Education and Years of Experience	1 – 3 years with BA/BS Equivalent experience	5 – 7 years with BA/BS Equivalent experience	7 – 9 years with BA/BS Equivalent experience	8 – 10 years with BA/BS 3 - 5 years with MA/MS Equivalent experience Required licenses/ certifications (see job description)

FLSA tests are applied to this matrix to determine if an employee’s duties meet the exemption criteria to be deemed exempt from the FLSA minimum wage and overtime provisions. Student Affairs Officers fall within both the Administrative and Executive Exemptions under the FLSA as a result of the supervisory aspects of the job classification.

• For those SAO’s who fall under the Administrative Exemption, this describes office or non-manual work which is related to the management or general business operations; who regularly exercise discretion and independent judgement in their work; who receive a salary which meets the requirements of the exemption ($250 per week for the short test, $155 per week for the long test); and do not devote more than 20% of their time to work other than that described above.
  
• An employee is not Administrative Exempt if he/she appears to be engaged in activities related to on-going day-to-day "production’ operations rather than management policies or general business operation.
  
• The Executive Exemption is applicable to SAO’s who have management of a department as their primary duty, who direct the work of two or more full time, career employees (or part-time equivalent), and who customarily and regularly exercises independent judgement and discretionary power within delegated authority. Supervision of staff does not, in and of itself, qualify an individual for an Executive Exemption. The "primary duty" requirement for management is generally, though not always, a 50% test (29C.F.R. §541.103). In some cases the employee can spend less than 50 percent of his/her time on management and still qualify for the Executive Exemption if management is the largest proportion of assigned duties and he/she has full responsibility for direct supervision. The salary requirements for the Executive Exemption is a minimum of $250 per week for the short test and $155 per week for the long test.

As a reminder,

• Independent judgement and discretion does not occur when an employee simply applies his/her knowledge to follow prescribed procedures or to determine which procedures to follow; or when determining whether specified standards are met in accordance with current University policy or guidelines.