0800 Classification and Compensation

0890 TRAINEESHIPS

.1 BACKGROUND

.110 Definition

.111 Traineeships are established when it is found that the job market cannot provide candidates with the skills and abilities necessary for certain positions in State service, and to provide employee advancement opportunities.

.120 Approved Traineeships and Salary Rates

.121 Traineeships are currently classified in various represented bargaining units and for non-represented employees.

.122 The Division of Classification and Compensation maintains explanations and comprehensive lists of all approved traineeships on the Department of Civil Service’s web site at www.cs.state.ny.us.  The associated spreadsheets are only updated in conjunction with general salary increases, or when a traineeship is added, deleted or amended.

.123 All questions regarding payroll preparation and salary rate calculations should be directed to the Office of the State Comptroller and/or the Office of the State Comptroller’s Salary Manual.

.2 PROCEDURE

.210 Applications

.211 Requests for new and/or revised traineeships are initiated by appointing authorities through a letter addressed to the Director of the Division of Classification and Compensation.  The justification letter should explain the impetus (i.e., “why” ) behind the request (and applicable minimum qualifications).

.212 Each request should include a detailed Training and Development Plan.  Training and Development Plans combine a description of the duties at the full performance level with an action plan designed to give a trainee the ability to successfully perform those duties.  Training and Development Plans should always be based on the "lowest common denominator."  Assume that a trainee will not possess anything other than what was required for the minimum qualifications and to pass the applicable examination.  Training and Development Plans should contain at a minimum, the following four (4) components (go to the previously listed Department of Civil Service web address for the Training and Development Plan Template):

1. Duties – Description of the duties at the full performance or journey level.
2. Expectations/Performance Measurements – Description of what tasks and how a trainee is expected to perform them at benchmark periods throughout a traineeship.  For example, a two year traineeship should include expectations at each six month interval, with the end of the traineeship being a full range of duties performed at the journey level.  Trainee evaluations are required at the appropriate intervals to determine whether a trainee is making sufficient progress and to identify and resolve any deficiencies or problems.  Traineeships include concurrent probationary status for the duration of a traineeship.
3. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – List of the knowledge, skills, and abilities a trainee needs to acquire to perform successfully at the journey level.
4. Training Activities – Action plan that describes the training activities designed to give a trainee the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities.  These activities may include formal classroom training, reading assignments, rotational assignments, and other activities in addition to on the job training activities to bring the trainee to the full performance level.

.220 Review and Reassessment

.221 The Division of Classification and Compensation will review and evaluate all requested new/modified traineeships and associated plans in coordination with other Divisions within the Department of Civil Service (i.e., Diversity Planning and Management, Staffing Services, Testing Services, etc.).

.222 If proposed traineeships require either the establishment of new or modified Non-Statutory (i.e., “NS”) salary rates, upon approval by the Division of Classification and Compensation such will be transmitted to the Division of the Budget for fiscal authorization (“NS” salaries are determined by the Division of the Budget pursuant to Section 44 of the State Finance Law).

.223 If proposed traineeship modifications do not alter pre-existing “NS” salary rates (i.e., just a change in minimum qualifications or appointment at various levels), no Division of the Budget fiscal authorization is necessary.

.230 Rescission

.231 The Division of Classification and Compensation periodically reviews the appropriateness of previously approved traineeships.  When appropriate and justifiable, the Director retains the authority to either reduce, enhance, or terminate (i.e., rescind) existing traineeships.

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TM-65 - Replaces: All of Section 0800 Dated Prior to August 2008

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