Improving the State of your Career:
Understanding State Employment
Getting started
Identify career goals
 Be proactive
 Look for training & growth opportunities
 Learn about your bargaining unit
 Practice (Take Exams, Interview, etc.)
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Job Types & Tools
Types
 LTE
 Project
 Unclassified
 PT/FT
 Tools
 Class Specs
 Position descriptions
 Job Announcements
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Types of Movement
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Promotion
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Transfer
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Demotion
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Reclassification
Employee Move vs.
Position Change
When an employee moves from one
position to a different position, it’s a
promotion, demotion, or transfer
 When an employee stays in the same
position and the position changes
logically and gradually to the point
where a different classification is now
more appropriate, it’s a reclassification

Promotion
Upward movement
 Higher pay range
 Involves participation in a competitive
examination process
 Probation is mandatory

Transfer

Lateral movement to the same or
counterpart pay range
 Contractual – in the same classification
or pay range through the contract rules
within and employing unit or agency
 Non-Contractual – in the same or
counterpart classification within an
employing unit, agency, or across
agencies
 Transfers
may be mandatory or
permissive
Transfer
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Hiring supervisors do not have to consider
permissive transfers
To transfer to other state agencies:
 Make a personal contact
 Ask about the agency’s transfer system
 Update your resume
 Make sure you are qualified for the job
 Sell yourself
Probation may be permissive
Demotion
Downward movement
 Lower pay range
 Non-competitive (no examination
required)
 May be voluntary; in lieu of layoff; or
for discipline
 Probation may be permissive
 Reinstatement vs. Restoration

Reclassification Statutory
Authority and Policies

s. 230.09(2), Wis. Stats.

Wis. Admin. Code ER 3.01(3)

Wisconsin Human Resources Handbook
(WHRH) Chapter 370
What is a Reclassification?
“Reclassification means the assignment
of a filled position to a different class
by the director as provided in s.230.09
(2), Stats., based upon a logical and
gradual change to the duties or
responsibilities of a position or the
attainment of specified education or
experience by the incumbent.”
ER 3.01(3) Wis. Admin. Code
Reclassification
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The exception – not the rule.
Most positions in state service will never
be reclassified because they are filled at
the objective level.
The assignment of a filled position to a
different class
Can be to higher, lower or counterpart pay
ranges
Generally limited to progression series
classifications
Pay – How Will it be Affected
by Movement?

Pay on all transactions (demotion,
transfer, or promotion) depends on the
classification to which you are going
and the pay rules that apply to that
classification in the union contract or
the non-represented pay plan.
Counterpart Pay Range
Bulletin
•
If two ranges are on the same table, use
it to determine the transaction
There is more than one table
•
Usually,
•
•
•
•
•
if the two ranges are on the same line it would be a transfer
if the range that you are looking at going to is below your
current range on the table it would be a promotion
if the range that you are looking at going to is above your
current range on the table it would be a demotion
If one or more of the ranges is not on the
table, compare maximums to determine
the transaction
Important Concepts Related to
Job Changes
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Build Support Networks
Volunteer
Request training
Update your position description and
resume
Make sure your supervisor knows your
skills and abilities
Modify your cover letter for every
position you apply for
Important Concepts Related to
Job Changes
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Prepare yourself by taking civil service
exams
Consider non-traditional jobs
Ask questions
Read job announcements
Interview (behavioral based interview
questions)
Most importantly - DO SOMETHING!
Before Accepting a Different
State Job
Recognize that job seeking is a “twoway street”
 Know the impact on your pay and
benefits – ask questions
 Find out if you will be serving probation
 Will you have reinstatement or
restoration? What do you need to do if
yes?
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THINGS DON’T JUST HAPPEN
PLAN TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN