Working titles for staff indicate an employee’s functional responsibility, particularly when the classification title alone is not sufficiently descriptive. Classification titles are broad and are used to distinguish a grouping of similar positions across a variety of settings, whereas a working title is specific to an actual position in an identifiable work unit. For example, the classification “Administrative Support Assistant II” may not be sufficiently descriptive, particularly if there are several positions with the same classification title in the same work unit and each has a different function. A working title such as Receptionist, Front Counter Representative, Customer Service Representative, Administrative Assistant (department/program) or Assistant may be appropriate if this is the case.

Working titles are commonly used on business cards and in directories and in other correspondence with constituents, such as individuals from outside the University, who would not have knowledge of the CSU classification structure. B. Working titles may be used to better communicate an employee’s area of responsibility; they have no impact on wages, benefits or working conditions. Working titles should be consistent with the classification title and should not be indicative of a range of responsibilities or level of authority that is not consistent with the classification title.

Use of “inflated” working titles can blur lines of responsibility and lead staff to take on responsibilities that are not appropriate to their positions or, conversely, they can confuse staff as to who is the appropriate supervisor or administrator. For these reasons, words such as manager, director, assistant/associate director and administrator are to be used for management positions only.

Examples of words that may be included in a staff title are: (program/department) coordinator, analyst, assistant, specialist, or technician. If a higher status is to be designated, the word “senior”, i.e., senior coordinator, senior analyst, etc., may be added.

Management Personnel Plan (MPP) Titles

• Working titles for MPP administrators indicate level of authority. Normally, administrators at the Administrator I level use the title, Assistant Manager or Manager; Administrator II level, Director, or Assistant/Associate Director; at the Administrator III level use the title, Assistant /Associate VP or Associate Dean; Administrators at the Administrator IV level use the title, Dean or Vice President. Occasionally, the word “executive” or “senior” will be added to a title to signify higher status.
• The President or his designee (VP HR) must approve all MPP administrator titles.