Commonly Used Job Classifications

Position Type of Employment: Graduate Research Assistant

Definition: Graduate research assistants (GRAs) are students enrolled in the Graduate School who are assigned to assist one or more faculty members in the conduct of research. In most instances, research assistants are assigned duties such as library searches and laboratory experiments under the close supervision of faculty mentors. Per UGA Policy 4.07-13 Instructor of Record, GRAs cannot be assigned as an Instructor of Record and cannot have instructional duties.
Pay Type: Monthly
Standard Working Hours per Week: Up to 20 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: Graduate School Guidelines Link
Typical BCAT Designations: 907X00 – Graduate Research Assistant

Position Type of Employment: Student Assistant (Undergraduate or Graduate)

Definition: Student Employees are considered temporary and include graduate assistants and student workers. Student Employees may not exceed a total of 1,300 hours worked in a 12-consecutive month period. The 1,300 hours can be accumulated in any combination during the 12-month period. Student employees are not subject to the re-employment restriction requiring a break-in-service after 12-consecutive months of employment.
International students in lawful F-1 and J-1 status are eligible to work for an institution but must not work more than 20 hours per week in accordance with Federal Regulations they can work more than 20 hours a week during school holidays and breaks. Additionally, students in F1 and J1 status may work in positions not classified as student employment as approved by their Primary Designated School Official (P) DSO or Alternate Responsible Officer (A) RO.
Pay Type: Hourly/Bi-Weekly
Standard Working Hours per Week: Up to 20 hours/week
Specific Guidelines:
Typical BCAT Designations: 900X00 – Student Assistant

Position Type of Employment: Temporary

Definition: Temporary employment is short in duration to address business needs and must meet the requirements and characteristics described below:
A temporary is non-benefits eligible.
A temporary does not have an expectation of long-term employment.
A temporary may be full-time or part-time.
Pay Type: Hourly/Bi-Weekly
Standard Working Hours per Week: Up to 40 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: A temporary employee may not exceed a total of 1,300 hours worked in a 12-consecutive month period. The 1,300 hours can be accumulated in any combination during the 12-month period. Once a temporary employee has worked 1,300 hours or has been employed for twelve consecutive months, whichever comes first, the temporary employee must have a break in service of twenty-six consecutive weeks. Employment applies across all USG institutions. Policy found here.
Typical BCAT Designations: 935X00 – Temporary Office/Clerical

Position Type of Employment: Postdoctoral Research Associate

Definition: Postdoctoral Associate AD – research only (BCAT 471) positions are usually funded from UGA-administered grants or contracts and are considered employees of the University, receiving a salary for required services. They are in training as they perform work on a funded project, so they are also considered employees. This enables the University to provide essential services and benefits.
Pay Type: Monthly
Standard Working Hours per Week: 40 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs Link
Typical BCAT Designations: 471X00 – Postdoctoral Associate AD

Position Type of Employment: Staff

Definition: Regular Staff are employed on a continuous basis and whose duration of employment may also be defined by term and/or restricted funding source(s). Regular Staff employees may be full-time or part-time. Those with a work commitment of half-time or greater or .5 FTE are partial or full benefits eligible and those who work less than 20 hours per week are non-benefits eligible.

Non-Exempt Staff:
Definition: Staff Non-Exempt Employees are not exempt from the federal wage-hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Pay Type: Hourly/Bi-Weekly
Standard Working Hours per Week: Up to 40 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: USG Guidelines Link
Typical BCAT Designations: 605X00 – Research Parapro

Exempt Staff:
Definition: Staff Professional and Administrative Employees are exempt from the Federal Wage-Hour provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) because of their professional or administrative responsibilities. (This group does not include faculty or graduate assistants)
Pay Type: Monthly
Standard Working Hours per Week: 40 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: USG Guidelines Link
Typical BCAT Designations: 470X00 – Research Professional

Benefit Eligible (Partial and Full):
Definition: Full Benefits Eligible: This is defined as 30 or more hours per week or .75 FTE and greater, which applies to regular faculty and regular staff employees. Full benefits include all benefits in accordance with University System of Georgia of Board of Regents policy 8.2.9 Insurance. Partial Benefits Eligible: This is defined as 20 to 29 hours per week or .5 FTE to .74 FTE. Partial benefits eligible may apply to regular faculty and regular staff employees. Partial benefits include retirement and pro-rated leave accruals.
Pay Type: Varies
Standard Working Hours per Week: 20-40 hours/week
Specific Guidelines: USG Guidelines Link
Typical BCAT Designations: Varies

Non-Benefit Eligible Staff:
Definition: Non-Benefits Eligible: This is defined as nineteen or less hours per week (.49 FTE or less), which applies to regular faculty and staff employees. Non-benefits eligible also includes temporary faculty, staff, and student employees who may not work more than 1,300 hours in a 12-month period as defined later in this policy. Students may not be placed into a regular status.
Pay Type: Hourly/Bi-Weekly
Standard Working Hours per Week: Up to 19 hours/week
Specific Guidelines:
Typical BCAT Designations: 605X00 – Research Parapro