EPA Non-Faculty Designation Process

By North Carolina Statute, the following are the categories of employees that are "Exempt" from most provisions of the State Personnel Act: Senior Academic and Administrative Officers (SAAO), and Instructional / Research, (I/R).

Positions that meet one of these definitions are designated as "EPA Non-Faculty," thus permitting flexibility in hiring, assignment of professional duties, salary, and other matters deemed critical for accomplishment of instructional, research, and administrative objectives.

Divisions/ departments wishing to establish an EPA Non-Faculty position must submit the following to the Human Resources Office:

1. EPA Designation Request Form
2. Written justification for requested action that includes specific reference to relevant elements in SAAO definition or Instructional / Research definitions.
3. EPA Job Description
4. An organizational chart that includes position titles, position numbers, position designations, and employee names.

The SAAO position requests must go to the Human Resources Advisory Board (HRAB) at the Office of the President for final approval. The Instructional / Research position requests to to the Associate Vice President for Human Resources at the Office of the President to be reviewed  for compliance to the guidelines that govern the positions within the university system per state statute. The Human Resources Office will notify the requesting division/department of the final recommendation of the Office of the President and when to begin recruitment.

SPA to EPA Classification Conversion

Some SPA positions may have evolved over time into higher level responsibilities, and departments may decide to request that an SPA position be changed to EPA Non-Faculty status.

Divisions / departments wishing to establish an EPA Non-Faculty position must submit the following to the Human Resources Office:

1. EPA Designation Request Form
2. Written justification for requested action that includes specific reference to relevant elements in SAAO definition or Instructional / Research definitions. This justification must also include:
   • the changes that have occurred in the position and/or the organization,
   • a description of the qualifications of the incumbent, and
   • the tasks that are now being performed that are substantially different from when the position was created as SPA.
3. EPA Job Description
4. An organizational chart that includes position titles, position numbers, position designations, and employee names.

These positions follow the same approval process through Office of the President. The Human Resources Office will notify the requesting division/ department of the final recommendation of the Office of the President. If the position is approved for conversion, the incumbent is given the option to remain as SPA or to changes to EPA. If the incumbent elects to remain SPA, the position changes automatically to EPA when the incumbent vacates the position.

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Comments to: Joy Duran