Definitions

The terms used throughout this title have the same meaning as in North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-44.3, and sections 54-06-30 and 54-06-31, except: 1. "Appointing authority" has the same meaning as provided in North Dakota Century Code section 54-44.3-02. 2. "Class" or "classification" means a group of positions, regardless of location, which are enough alike in duties and responsibilities to be called by the same descriptive title, to be given the same pay range under similar conditions, and to require substantially the same qualifications. 3. "Classification plan" means the listing of all the classes that have been established, the description for those classes, and the process and procedures developed to maintain the plan. 4. "Equity increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee to mitigate either a serious internal agency inequity or a documented external market condition. 5. "General salary increase" means a salary increase provided to classified employees by specific legislative appropriation. 6. "Hiring rate" means the salary level assigned to an employee upon initial employment with an agency. 7. "Pay grade" means the number assigned to a classification which corresponds with one specific range of pay rates. 8. "Performance increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee in recognition of documented performance which is consistently superior or which consistently exceeds documented performance standards. 9. "Probationary increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee upon the successful completion of their applicable probationary period. 10. "Promotional increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee when the employee is assigned to a regular, classified position in a different class which has a higher pay grade or which reflects a substantially higher level of responsibility than the employee's previous position. 11. "Reclassification adjustment" means a salary adjustment applied to a classified employee to ensure salary alignment if the employee's position is reallocated to a different classification that has a different pay grade. 12. "Responsibility level or workload increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee if either of the following conditions are met: a. The level of duties and responsibilities assigned to the employee is permanently changed, is documented, and is independent of any change in classification. b. A substantial, documented, increase in workload is assigned to a position. 13. "Salary range" means the range of pay rates, from minimum to maximum that are assigned to a pay grade. 14. "Targeted market equity increase" means a salary increase to be granted only if the legislature has defined and approved implementation of an equity program to address talent attraction, retention challenges, or strategic market alignment. 15. "Temporary increase" means a salary increase provided to a classified employee when the employee is assigned temporarily to perform a higher level of responsibilities or increased workload on an acting or interim basis.