MINIMUM HIRING STANDARDS (MHS)
The Classification and Compensation Office establishes the minimum hiring standards (MHS) when a position is created.The MHS is the minimum education and experience required to perform a given job.
An individual with an education level and experience below the MHS for a job title is not considered minimally qualified for the position. This applicant will not be referred by the employment office.
The MHS is not the only factor considered when choosing a candidate. The overall quality of a candidate’s application, exhibited by work history, skills and knowledge, and education level, is taken into consideration, too.
Hiring departments may desire specific skills and experience beyond the minimum hiring requirements for a position. They may express preferences beyond the MHS to help identify the characteristics of the ideal candidate. For example, the Math Department may prefer candidates for its secretarial position who have demonstrable experience preparing documents using complex mathematical symbols, and may choose not to hire a candidate unless the individual possesses that experience in addition to the general secretarial MHS.
MHS Definitions
Work performed under minimal supervision requiring initiative, decision-making and independent judgment.
Any combination of related job experience, training or education. For instance, if an MHS states that a bachelor’s degree is required, four years of experience and no college education may be substituted. Other acceptable substitutes are:
- One year of college and three years of related experience;
- Two years of college and two years of related experience; or
- Three years of college and one year of related experience.
Work experience obtained through internships, student employment, volunteer work or self-employment may be considered by the hiring official.
For recruitment purposes, experience is defined as full-time work. Part-time work is pro-rated. For example, a candidate who worked for two years, 20 hours a week would be credited with one year of experience.
Any work experience at a fully functioning level of responsibility characterized by coordinating, assigning and reviewing the day-to-day activities of lower-level employees performing the same work. The lead worker serves as a resource for solving problems, provides instruction in work procedures and may provide input into decisions about hiring, discipline and performance evaluation.
The minimum level of knowledge (through education and/or training), skills and abilities that are required to perform the essential job functions assigned to a position.The minimum level of knowledge (through education and/or training), skills and abilities that are required to perform the essential job functions assigned to a position.
Qualifications (knowledge, skills and abilities) that are ideal for an applicant to have, but are not necessary to perform the essential job functions (or primary duties) assigned to a position.
Substituting education for experience, or experience for education, may be done on a year-for-year basis.
Any work experience involving responsibility and authority to hire/fire, train and evaluate the performance of immediate subordinates.
MHS for Managerial Positions
The purpose of minimum hiring standards for managerial positions is to establish guidelines for the advertisement and recruitment of supervisory/managerial positions at the university. The established guidelines will ensure internal equity in the posting requirements of positions with similar job titles and provide direction regarding the minimum level of education, training and experience that should be required.
Bachelor’s degree and six years of supervisory/management experience or a combination of training and experience.
Supervisory/managerial experience can be defined as any work experience involving responsibility and authority to hire/fire, train and evaluate the performance of immediate subordinates.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- High school diploma and 10 years of supervisory/management experience
- Two years college and eight years of supervisory/management experience
- Associate’s degree and eight years of supervisory/management experience
- Master’s degree and four years of supervisory/management experience
Bachelor’s degree and four years of supervisory/management experience or a combination of training and experience.
Supervisory/managerial experience can be defined as any work experience involving responsibility and authority to hire/fire, train and evaluate the performance of immediate subordinates.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- High school diploma and eight years of supervisory/management experience
- One year of college and seven years of supervisory/management experience
- Associate’s degree and six years of supervisory/management experience
- Three years of college and five years of supervisory/management experience
- Master’s degree and two years of supervisory/management experience
Bachelor’s degree and three years of supervisory/management experience or a combination of training and experience.
Supervisory/managerial experience can be defined as any work experience involving responsibility and authority to hire/fire, train and evaluate the performance of immediate subordinates.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- High school diploma and seven years of supervisory/management experience
- One year of college and six years of supervisory/management experience
- Associate’s degree and five years of supervisory/management experience
- Three years of college and four years of supervisory/management experience
- Master’s degree and one year of supervisory/management experience
Bachelor’s degree and two years of supervisory/management experience or a combination of training and experience.
Supervisory/managerial experience can be defined as any work experience involving responsibility and authority to hire/fire, train and evaluate the performance of immediate subordinates.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- High school diploma and six years of supervisory/management experience
- Two years of college and four years of supervisory/management experience
- Three years of college and three years of supervisory/management experience
- Master’s degree and no experience
Bachelor’s degree or four years supervisory or lead worker experience or a combination of training and experience. Lead worker experience can be defined as any work experience at a fully functioning level of responsibility characterized by coordinating, assigning and reviewing the day-to-day activities of lower-level employees performing the same work. Lead worker responsibilities also involve solving problems, providing instruction on work procedures, and in some cases, may include providing input on decisions regarding hiring, discipline, and performance evaluation.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- One year of college and 3 years supervisory or lead worker experience
- Two years of college and 2 years supervisory or lead worker experience
- Associate’s degree and 2 years supervisory or lead worker experience
- Three years of college and 1 year of supervisory or lead worker experience
Bachelor’s degree or four years of supervisory or lead worker experience or a combination of training and experience. Lead worker experience can be defined as any work experience at a fully functioning level of responsibility characterized by coordinating, assigning and reviewing the day-to-day activities of lower-level employees performing the same work. Lead worker responsibilities also involve solving problems, providing instruction on work procedures, and in some cases, may include providing input on decisions about hiring, discipline and performance evaluation.
Acceptable combinations of training and experience:
- One year of college and three years of of supervisory or lead worker experience
- Two years of college and two years of supervisory or lead worker experience
- Associate’s degree and two years of supervisory or lead worker experience
- Three years of college and one year of supervisory or lead worker experience
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