All MSUE academic staff will be granted Step I status upon employment and Step II status upon successful completion of the six year portfolio review.  Application for Step Three status is voluntary and may occur following attainment of Step II status.

1. All newly appointed academic staff will have Step I status whether the appointment is fixed-term or in the continuing employment system.

2. All academic staff will be conferred Step II status upon successful completion of the six year portfolio review and will receive an associated increase to the base salary October 1.
3. Step II and Step Three status may be given upon appointment, with the approval of the MSUE Director.
4. Application for Step II status is required. Staff in the Continuing Employment System and staff with a Fixed-term appointment should refer to the Step II Application Guidelines and Review Procedures.
5. Every academic staff position must bear a title reflecting the position’s academic assignment.  If the individual also has an administrative assignment, e.g. County Extension Director, Regional Director, State Program Leader, Coordinator, he/she shall retain his/her academic title as the base appointment and receive an additional title for the administrative assignment. Step I, Step II and Step Three status are applicable to the titles available for academic assignments which include:
1. Program Leader
2. Extension Educator
3. District Extension Educator
4. Extension Specialist
5. Conservation Scientist

6. Application for Step Three status is voluntary.  Refer to Step Three Application Guidelines and Review Procedures for eligibility and selection criteria.
7. Individuals attaining Step Three status will be titled Senior Program Leader, Senior Extension Educator, Senior District Extension Educator, Senior Extension Specialist or Senior Conservation Scientist.. 
8. An employee who successfully completes the Step Three Application and Review and, as recommended by the Director of Extension, will be provided a one time associated base salary increase October 1.
9. MSU Extension academic staff members who receive the MSU Distinguished Academic Staff Award (DASA) shall be automatically granted Step Three status and the associated base salary increase October 1, following the award conferral.

1. Step I status is the entry level academic staff status and is applicable for new hires in Extension and to those staff who have not successfully completed six year portfolio review.
2. Step II status is conferred upon the successful completion of the six year portfolio review as determined by the recommendation of the portfolio review committee and approval of the Director Extension.
3. Application for Step Three status is suggested to occur following a minimum of six years of service beyond achieving Step II, however; applicants may submit earlier than six years.