Special Consultant
In the CSU, a "Special Consultant" is a professional, exempt, temporary employee who has extensive, demonstrated experience in a particular area or specialty in which services are required for a defined period of time. The faculty special consultant appointment is an assignment that draws upon the faculty member's particular knowledge, ability, or expertise. Appointments are generally made to complete a project with a defined scope of work and tangible outcomes. The work performed by a Special Consultant is considered non-bargaining unit work.
Examples: Install and calibrate laboratory equipment; re-write qualifying exams for a department; complete evaluation of university services; research and submit report on graduation rates for a college.
There is no accrual of benefits such as sick leave, vacation, health and dental benefits. The individual is covered by workers' compensation and unemployment insurance. Subject to social security and/or Medicare deductions. Background check required. Given the constraints imposed by Article 36 of the CBA, the funding sources for special consultants typically must be from non-general funds.
Note: The special consultant job category is the most ill-used work classification. If there are duties for part-time or full-time faculty to perform in summer, winter, or special session, generating an appointment or adding additional FTE to their time base is likely the more proper way to compensate the faculty member. During regular sessions, full-time faculty members forced into overload (greater than 1.0 FTE) will most often fit criteria for Category 2403. Part-time faculty should most often be appointed with additional time base in their regular appointment. Please scrutinize the requirements for special consultant appointments prior to using that job classification.
