Classified Service Probationary Periods

The probationary period is the final and most critical step in the selection process. It is intended to provide an opportunity to evaluate an employee on their knowledge, skills, and ability not evaluated by other parts of the selection process.

On This Page:

Determine Probationary Periods

Select the new employee's hire type to learn more about the minimum and maximum number of weeks to be served for the probationary period. 

All classified service positions are divided into four jurisdictional classifications: competitive, non-competitive, labor and exempt. When a hire is switching from one jurisdictional classification to another, the hire is considered a new hire for the jurisdiction. 

Probationary period:

  • minimum of 26 weeks
  • maximum of 52 weeks

Example 1: A Cleaner, SG5 accepts a Janitor, SG7 position, the employee will serve a 26-52 week probationary period. 

Example 2: A Facilities Operations Assistant 1, SG6 accepts a Maintenance Assistant, SG9 position, the employee will serve a 26-52 week probationary period. 

A hire that has not previously held state classified service in a permanent or contingent permanent status. 

Probationary period (non-University Police Officer):

  • minimum of 26 weeks
  • maximum of 52 weeks

Probationary period - University Police Officer 1 only:

  • minimum of 52 weeks
  • maximum of 78 weeks

Work closely with the Workforce Planning and Specialist assigned to your posting to determine:

  • If there is a probationary period
  • The length of time for probation 

A classified promotion is when there is no change in jurisdictional classification and the employee is appointed to a higher graded classified position. 

Probationary period:

  • If less than or equal to SG13:
    • minimum of 8 weeks
    • maximum of 26 weeks
  • If equal to or greater than SG14:
    • minimum of 12 weeks
    • maximum of 52 weeks

Example 1: An Office Assistant 1, SG6 accepts an Office Assistant 2, SG9, the employee would serve a 8-26 week probationary period. 

Example 2: An Office Assistant 2, SG9 accepts an Office Assistant 3, SG14, the employee would serve a 12-52 week probationary period. 

Reinstating a former employee after resignation to the same or transferable competitive classified title.

Probationary period:

  • 52 weeks

A reinstatement probationary period begins after civil service approval has been granted. 

Example 1: An applicant that held permanent appointment as an Office Assistant 1, SG6 from 2005 - 2010 has been selected for reinstatement to an Office Assistant 1, SG6. The reinstated employee will serve a 52 week probationary period which begins when the department of civil service approves the reinstatement.

Example 2: An applicant that held permanent appointment as an Office Assistant 2, SG9 from 2018-2023 has been selected for reinstatement to an Administrative Assistant Trainee 1, NS. The reinstated employee will serve a 52 week probationary period which begins when the department of civil service approves the reinstatement. 

The movement of a permanent employee from a competitive classified position to another competitive classified position. 

Transfer Types

From One Agency to Another in the Same or a Transferable Title:

As approved by the Department of Civil Service with no change in salary grade.

Probationary period:

  • minimum of 8 weeks
  • maximum of 26 weeks

Example 1: An Office Assistant 1, SG6 working in the Department of Health has accepted an Office Assistant 1, SG6 at UB. The employee will serve an 8-26 week probationary period. 

Example 2: An Office Assistant 1, SG6 working in the Department of Health has accepted an Office Assistant 1 Keyboarding, SG6 at UB. The employee will serve an 8-26 week probationary period. 

To a Position at UB in a Transferable Title:

 As approved by the Department of Civil Service with no change in salary grade.

Probationary period:

  • minimum of 8 weeks
  • maximum of 26 weeks

Example 1: An Office Assistant 1, SG6 working at UB in department A has accepted an Office Assistant Keyboarding, SG6 at UB in department B. The employee will service an 8-26 week probationary period. 

To a Position No Higher Than Two Salary Grades:

Cannot be consecutive transfers for a two grade increase.

Probationary period:

  • If less than or equal to SG13:
    • minimum of 8 weeks
    • maximum of 26 weeks
  • If equal to or greater than SG14:
    • minimum of 12 weeks
    • maximum of 52 weeks

Example 1: An Administrative Assistant 1, SG11 is hired into a Payroll Examiner 1, SG12, the employee will serve a 8-26 week probationary period.

Example 2: A Plant Utilities Engineer 1, SG14 is hired into a Plant Utilities Engineer 2, SG16, the employee will serve a 12-52 week probationary period. 

A probationary period is not served for the following hire types:

  • Reassignment - a permanent employee moving from one department at UB to another department at UB in the same title and salary grade
    • Example 1: An Office Assistant 1, SG6 in department A transfers to an Office Assistant 1, SG6 in department B, there will be no probationary period. 
  • Temporary - a non-permanent employee
  • Provisional - a non-permanent employee

Download

Departments may use the downloadable Excel sheet to determine the minimum and maximum probationary periods which are needed for the offer letter and the ePTF.

Use SIRI to Determine Probationary Deadlines

Upon completion of hiring paperwork, SIRI is updated to reflect probation information for state-classified positions.

Available information:

  • appointment effective date
  • probationary end date
  • 1st probationary evaluation due date
  • 2nd probationary evaluation due date
  • 3rd probationary evaluation due date

Navigate SIRI:  Dashboards > Staff Managemen t> Civil Service Probation Dates

Related Links

Contact an Expert

UB Jobs Support Staff

Recruitment

Phone: 716-645-5627

Email: UB-Jobs@buffalo.edu