III. D. Employee Classification

Employees of the Department and its Technical Colleges are generally members of the unclassified service. The Commissioner and Technical College Presidents may offer and execute employment contracts as provided by policy. The employment status of those employees who were members of the classified service on July 1, 1976 shall be governed by the provisions of the State Merit System.

Unclassified Employees

All employees are unclassified, unless they are members of the classified service. Unclassified employees are "at will" employees, except to the extent their status is changed by tenure or a written contract offered by the Commissioner or Technical College President.

Classified Employees

Classified employees are covered by the Georgia State Merit System and are subject to the rules and regulations of the State Personnel Board. Classified employees are employed only at the Department's Central Office, North Georgia Technical College and South Georgia Technical College. O.C.G.A. § 45-20-1 et seq. and State Personnel Board Rules.

Contract Employees

The Commissioner and Technical College Presidents may offer standard employment contracts to tenured and non-tenured unclassified faculty and staff for any period not to exceed twelve (12) months. Contracts may be issued to presidents, vice presidents, faculty and other professional staff at the discretion of the Technical College President.

Tenured Employees

The Department does not confer tenure upon its employees. Employees of Technical Colleges owned and operated by local school boards who achieved tenure prior to or upon conversion to state ownership of their college are entitled to retain their tenured status. A tenured employee who chooses a promotion or a transfer to a different position or location shall cease to be tenured.

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Adopted: April 2, 1987
Revised: May 10, 2001
Code: 03-01-02

Approved