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Responsibility Level Definitions

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  • Responsibility Level Definitions

acsAUSTRALIAN COMPUTER SOCIETY REMUNERATION SURVEY

Responsibility Level Definitions

Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) & Professional Employees Award 2010

The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) was established in July 2003 as a system for IT Professionals to match the skills of the workforce to the requirements of the business. It is a logical two-dimensional skills framework defined by areas of work on one axis and levels of responsibility on the other. It has been proven as an effective resource that benefits business by facilitating all aspects of the management of capability in corporate and educational environments. (Refer to SFIA Foundation at http://www.sfia.org.uk)

The SFIA (Version 5) levels of responsibility from 3 to 7 have been mapped to Levels 1 to 5 contained in the Professional Employees Award 2010. This award covers employers throughout Australia principally engaged in the information technology industry, the quality auditing industry or the telecommunications services industry and their employees who are covered by the classifications in Schedule B (Clause 4.2 Coverage). (Refer FairWork Australia at http://www.fwc.gov.au/documents/modern_awards/award/ma000065).


  • SFIA Level 3 / Professional Employees Award Level 1
  • SFIA Level 4 / Professional Employees Award Level 2
  • SFIA Level 5 / Professional Employees Award Level 3
  • SFIA Level 6 / Professional Employees Award Level 4
  • SFIA Level 7 / Professional Employees Award Level 5

SFIA LEVEL 3 / PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AWARD LEVEL 1

SFIA Level 3 definition

Autonomy
Works under general direction. Uses discretion in identifying and resolving complex problems and assignments. Usually receives specific instructions and has work reviewed at frequent milestones. Determines when issues should be escalated to a higher level.

Influence
Interacts with and influences department/project team members. Has working level contact with customers and suppliers. In predictable and structured areas may supervise others. Makes decisions which may impact on the work assigned to individuals or phases of projects.

Complexity
Performs a broad range of work, sometimes complex and non routine, in a variety of environments. Applies methodical approach to problem definition and resolution.

Business skills
Understands and uses appropriate methods, tools and applications. Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving. Takes the initiative in identifying and negotiating appropriate personal development opportunities. Demonstrates effective communication skills. Contributes fully to the work of teams. Plans, schedules and monitors own work (and that of others where applicable) competently within limited deadlines and according to relevant legislation and procedures. Absorbs and applies technical information. Works to required standards. Appreciates the wider field of information systems, and how own role relates to other roles and to the business of the employer or client.

Professional Employees Award Level 1 definition

Graduate information technology employee

  1. An employee at this level undertakes initial professional tasks of limited scope and complexity, such as minor phases of broader assignments, in office, plant, field or laboratory work.
  2. Under supervision from higher level professional information technology employees as to method of approach and requirements, the employee performs normal professional work and exercises individual judgment and initiative in the application of principles, techniques and methods.
  3. In assisting more senior professional information technology employees by carrying out tasks requiring accuracy and adherence to prescribed methods of professional information technology analysis, design or computation, the employee draws upon advanced techniques and methods learned during and after the undergraduate course.
  4. Training, development and experience using a variety of standard procedures, enable the employee to develop increasing professional judgment and apply it progressively to more difficult tasks at Level 2.
  5. Decisions are related to tasks performed, relying upon precedent or defined procedures for guidance. Recommendations are related to solution of problems in connection to the tasks performed.
  6. Work is reviewed by higher level professional information technology employees for validity, adequacy, methods and procedures. With professional development and experience, work receives less review, and the employee progressively exercises more individual judgment until the level of competence at Level 2 is achieved.
  7. The employee may assign and check work of technical staff assigned to work on a common project.

 


SFIA LEVEL 4 / PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AWARD LEVEL 2

SFIA Level 4 definition

Autonomy
Works under general direction within a clear framework of accountability. Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy. Plans own work to meet given objectives and processes.

Influence
Influences team and specialist peers internally. Influences customers at account level and suppliers. Has some responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of resources. Participates in external activities related to own specialism. Makes decisions which influence the success of projects and team objectives.

Complexity
Performs a broad range of complex technical or professional work activities, in a variety of contexts. Investigates, defines and resolves complex problems.

Business skills
Selects appropriately from applicable standards, methods, tools and applications. Demonstrates an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving. Communicates fluently orally and in writing, and can present complex technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who share common objectives. Plans, schedules and monitors work to meet time and quality targets and in accordance with relevant legislation and procedures. Rapidly absorbs new technical information and applies it effectively. Has a good appreciation of the wider field of information systems, their use in relevant employment areas and how they relate to the business activities of the employer or client. Maintains an awareness of developing technologies and their application and takes some responsibility for personal development.

Professional Employees Award Level 2 definitionFollowing development, the experienced professional plans and conducts professional work without detailed supervision but with guidance on unusual features and is usually engaged on more responsible assignments requiring substantial professional experience.

 


SFIA LEVEL 5 / PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AWARD LEVEL 3

SFIA Level 5 definition

Autonomy
Works under broad direction. Work is often self-initiated. Is fully accountable for meeting allocated technical and/or project/supervisory objectives. Establishes milestones and has a significant role in the delegation of responsibilities.

Influence
Influences organisation, customers, suppliers, partners and peers on the contribution of own specialism. Builds appropriate and effective business relationships. Makes decisions which impact the success of assigned projects i.e. results, deadlines and budget. Has significant influence over the allocation and management of resources appropriate to given assignments.

Complexity
Performs an extensive range and variety of complex technical and/or professional work activities. Undertakes work which requires the application of fundamental principles in a wide and often unpredictable range of contexts. Understands the relationship between own specialism and wider customer/organisational requirements.

Business skills
Advises on the available standards, methods, tools and applications relevant to own specialism and can make appropriate choices from alternatives. Analyses, designs, plans, executes and evaluates work to time, cost and quality targets. Assesses and evaluates risk. Communicates effectively, both formally and informally. Demonstrates leadership. Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives. Understands the relevance of own area of responsibility/specialism to the employing organisation. Takes customer requirements into account when making proposals. Takes initiative to keep skills up to date. Mentors colleagues. Maintains an awareness of developments in the industry. Analyses requirements and advises on scope and options for continuous operational improvement. Demonstrates creativity and innovation in applying solutions for the benefit of the customer/stakeholder. Takes account of relevant legislation.

Professional Employees Award Level 3 definition

  1. An employee at this level performs duties requiring the application of mature professional knowledge. With scope for individual accomplishment and coordination of more difficult assignments, the employee deals with problems for which it is necessary to modify established guides and devise new approaches.
  2. The employee may make some original contribution or apply new professional approaches and techniques to the design or development of equipment or products.
  3. Recommendations may be reviewed for soundness of judgement but are usually regarded as technically accurate and feasible. The employee makes responsible decisions on matters assigned, including the establishment of professional standards and procedures. The employee consults, recommends and advises in specialty areas.
  4. Work is carried out within broad guidelines requiring conformity with overall objectives, relative priorities and necessary cooperation with other units. Informed professional guidance may be available.
  5. The employee outlines and assigns work, reviews it for technical accuracy and adequacy, and may plan, direct, coordinate and supervise the work of other professional and technical staff.

 


SFIA LEVEL 6 / PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AWARD LEVEL 4

SFIA Level 6 definition

Autonomy
Has defined authority and responsibility for a significant area of work, including technical, financial and quality aspects. Establishes organisational objectives and delegates responsibilities. Is accountable for actions and decisions taken by self and subordinates.

Influence
Influences policy formation on the contribution of own specialism to business objectives. Influences a significant part of own organisation. Develops influential relationships with internal and external stakeholders at senior management level. Makes decisions which impact the work of employing organisations, achievement of organisational objectives and financial performance.

Complexity
Performs highly complex work activities covering technical, financial and quality aspects. Contributes to the formulation and implementation of IT strategy. Creatively applies a wide range of technical and/or management principles.

Business skills
Absorbs complex technical information and communicates effectively at all levels to both technical and non-technical audiences. Assesses and evaluates risk. Understands the implications of new technologies. Demonstrates clear leadership and the ability to influence and persuade. Has a broad understanding of all aspects of IT and deep understanding of own specialism(s). Understands and communicates the role and impact of IT in the employing organisation and promotes compliance with relevant legislation. Takes the initiative to keep both own and subordinates’ skills up to date and to maintain an awareness of developments in the IT industry.

Professional Employees Award Level 4 definition

  1. An employee at this level performs professional work involving considerable independence in approach, demanding a considerable degree of originality, ingenuity and judgement, and knowledge of more than one field of, or expertise (for example, acts as their organisation’s technical reference authority) in a particular field of professional information technology field.
  2. An employee at this level:
    1. initiates or participates in short or long range planning and makes independent decisions on professional information technology policies and procedures within an overall program;
    2. gives technical advice to management and operating departments;
    3. may take detailed technical responsibility for product development and provision of specialised professional information technology systems, facilities and functions;
    4. coordinates work programs; and
    5. directs or advises on the use of equipment and materials.
  3. An employee at this level makes responsible decisions not usually subject to technical review, decides courses of action necessary to expedite the successful accomplishment of assigned projects, and may make recommendations involving large sums or long range objectives.
  4. Duties are assigned only in terms of broad objectives, and are reviewed for policy, soundness of approach, accomplishment and general effectiveness.
  5. The employee supervises a group or groups including professionals and other staff, or exercises authority and technical control over a group of professional staff. In both instances, the employee is engaged in complex professional information technology applications.

 


SFIA LEVEL 7 / PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES AWARD LEVEL 5

SFIA Level 7 definition

Autonomy
Has authority and responsibility for all aspects of a significant area of work, including policy formation and application. Is fully accountable for actions taken and decisions made, both by self and subordinates.

Influence
Makes decisions critical to organisational success. Influences developments within the IT industry at the highest levels. Advances the knowledge and/or exploitation of IT within one or more organisations. Develops long-term strategic relationships with customers, partners, industry leaders and government.

Complexity
Leads on the formulation and implementation of strategy. Applies the highest level of management and leadership skills. Has a deep understanding of the IT industry and the implications of emerging technologies for the wider business environment.

Business skills
Has a full range of strategic management and leadership skills. Understands, explains and presents complex technical ideas to both technical and non-technical audiences at all levels up to the highest in a persuasive and convincing manner. Has a broad and deep IT knowledge coupled with equivalent knowledge of the activities of those businesses and other organisations that employ IT. Communicates the potential impact of emerging technologies on organisations and individuals and assesses the risks of using or not using such technologies. Assesses the impact of legislation, and actively promotes compliance. Takes the initiative to keep both own and subordinates’ skills up to date and to maintain an awareness of developments in IT.

Professional Employees Award Level 5 definition

  1. An employee at this level usually responsible for an information technology administrative function, directing several professional and other groups engaged in interrelated information technology responsibilities, or as an information technology consultant. Achieving recognition as an authority in a field of major importance to the organisation.
  2. An employee independently conceives programs and problems to be investigated and participates in discussions determining basic operating policies, devising ways of reaching program objectives in the most economical manner and of meeting any unusual conditions affecting work progress.
  3. The employee makes responsible decisions on all matters, including the establishment of policies and expenditures of large sums of money and/or implementation of major programs, subject only to overall policy and financial controls.
  4. The employee receives administrative direction based on organisation policies and objectives. Work is reviewed to ensure conformity with policy and co-ordination with other functions.
  5. The employee reviews and evaluates technical work; selects, schedules, and co-ordinates to attain program objectives: and/or as administrator, makes decisions concerning selection, training, rating, discipline and remuneration of staff.

 

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