Competitive Hire
A competitive hire will be posted and advertised publicly. Any applicant may view and apply for the position. This is the typical hire type that Virginia Tech uses for all faculty and staff positions. All 1,500-hour wage positions must be hired using the competitive search process.
Following is more information on specific competitive hire actions:
- New hire: A competitive search is conducted to fill a benefitted university position.
- Rehire: A previous university employee is hired into a benefitted university position through a competitive search process after they have had a break in service.
- Transfer from agency: A current state employee working at another state agency who has had no break in service is hired into a benefitted university position through a competitive search process.
- Transfer competitive: A current university employee is hired into a different university position through a competitive process.
- Promotion: Following a competitive search process, a current benefitted university employee is the selected candidate for a position that has duties with a high level of authority and responsibility than their current one. Typical promotions include adding direct reports (increasing span of controle) and adding organizational levels.
See the chart below for information on when position numbers and pay changes are impacted by a competitive hire:
| Action | New position number required? | Pay change required? |
|---|---|---|
| New | Yes | N/A, pay discussed during hiring process |
| Rehire | Yes | N/A, pay discussed during hiring process |
| Transfer from agency | Yes | May or may not change |
| Transfer competitive | Yes | May or may not change |
| Promotion | Yes | Yes, pay increase required |
Promotions for a competitive search
A promotion is defined as a current faculty or staff member being selected as the preferred candidate for an advertised position where the employee assumes new duties with a greater level of authority and responsibility. A new working title and new position number is required for promotions. Promotions are characterized by:
- Greater authority for additional organization layers
- Greater responsibility, including adding direct reports (span of control)
- Recognition of competency consistent with the field or profession
Establishing pay for a competitive search
Managers and supervisors should consult with their HR representative prior to recruiting for the role. The HR representative may consult with the HR Compensation Team for both A/P faculty and staff positions.
Salaries may be approved by the SMA's HR division director or generalist prior to recruitment. If the salary is outside of the pre-approved range, approval must be granted by the appropriate SMA authority. For employee transaction information, visit the competitive promotions process page.