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College Job Audit Passes Stages 1 and 2

Kolonia, Pohnpei (COM-FSM/FSM Information Services): August 16, 2010 - The College of Micronesia-FSM received the preliminary communications relating to its ongoing Job Audit/Compensation & Benefit study on July 26, 2010. The study is being conducted by Alan Searle of Alan Searle & Associates Limited who submitted an executive summary of the first two stages of the study to COM-FSM President, Mr. Spensin James.

According to Searle, stage one of the study focused on reestablishing the internal equity of all positions at the college based on the job size. Also conducted during this stage, was an analysis of the current compensation structure. The study recommended that the college streamline its operations and performance.

Stage two of the study focused on gathering external pay data or base salaries against each position evaluated in stage one. The study found that the range and formulas of employee benefits provided by the college to fulltime staff appear comparable to other regional institutions.

The next stage will be the implementation of the recommendations from the first two stages of the study. According to Searle's executive summary, the recommended changes will be implemented after endorsement by the Board of Regents. This will involve the introduction of a new pay schedule, the identification of a specific implementation range for each unique position and agreement on the implementation criteria.

A three-page executive summary of the audit report has been sent out to all faculty and staff for review. According to a memorandum issued by James, Searle and some of the key administrative staff will be visiting all six campuses to meet with faculty, staff and key stakeholders to explain the results and recommendations of the audit report. The visit is scheduled on the first two weeks of September.

This visit will give an opportunity to campus representatives to bring their concerns forward regarding the report. Such concerns will be reviewed at the President's Retreat on September 22-24, 2010. The retreat will then make recommendations to be presented to the COM-FSM Board of Regents.