What is my boss referring to by saying "nearly one incremental FTE"?
August 15, 2011 12:44 PM Subscribe
What is an incremental FTE? And should I take a job that will consist of it?
I have a new job at which there is an opening for an administrative position. The boss has sent us a message saying that "I have dedicated nearly one incremental FTE to this position in the 4th quarter of 2011." I am not versed in this kind of talk and I don't know what it means. I know an FTE is a full time equivalent, but what is an incremental FTE? My interpretation of this sentence is that it means that whoever gets the position will be relieved of the other responsibilities of our job in order to dedicate time to administration. Could it really be possible that nearly all other responsibilities are going to be relieved (i.e. nearly one FTE) to do this job?
I want to respond to indicate I am interested in the job, but I want to know what is involved and don't want to come off as ignorant by asking what is meant.
I have a new job at which there is an opening for an administrative position. The boss has sent us a message saying that "I have dedicated nearly one incremental FTE to this position in the 4th quarter of 2011." I am not versed in this kind of talk and I don't know what it means. I know an FTE is a full time equivalent, but what is an incremental FTE? My interpretation of this sentence is that it means that whoever gets the position will be relieved of the other responsibilities of our job in order to dedicate time to administration. Could it really be possible that nearly all other responsibilities are going to be relieved (i.e. nearly one FTE) to do this job?
I want to respond to indicate I am interested in the job, but I want to know what is involved and don't want to come off as ignorant by asking what is meant.
I read it as a brand new position, such that if you then took that position they would then need to fill your old position. It's not terribly clear though, because "in the 4th quarter of 2011" has a different meaning than "from the 4th quarter of 2011". Is it temporary?
posted by dabug at 12:54 PM on August 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by dabug at 12:54 PM on August 15, 2011 [1 favorite]
FTEs are Full Time Employees in my line of work as well.
For instance, my location could be set up for 3.5 FTEs (3 full time, 1 part time).
posted by smitt at 1:10 PM on August 15, 2011
For instance, my location could be set up for 3.5 FTEs (3 full time, 1 part time).
posted by smitt at 1:10 PM on August 15, 2011
Response by poster: dabug, I had the same question. I think the reasoning behind it is that we are undertaking a few large projects during the 4th quarter (like a major renovation to our building), and so more time would be needed for this position during that quarter than in future quarters.
kindall, the appeal for candidates for the position was sent to all current members of the department with a request for those who are interested to respond. I agree that it might mean they are going to hire someone else to take over some of the responsibilities that would remain when a person from within the department took this admin position, but it seems unclear to me.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:13 PM on August 15, 2011
kindall, the appeal for candidates for the position was sent to all current members of the department with a request for those who are interested to respond. I agree that it might mean they are going to hire someone else to take over some of the responsibilities that would remain when a person from within the department took this admin position, but it seems unclear to me.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 1:13 PM on August 15, 2011
In my book, FTE == Full Time Equivalent. So if you have part timers, this might be a notice that more work is available in the 4th quarter, and it could be spread out between people rather than a new hire.
posted by pwnguin at 1:53 PM on August 15, 2011
posted by pwnguin at 1:53 PM on August 15, 2011
I work in the kind of job where I talk about FTEs quite a bit, and I honestly can't tell what is meant by 'incremental FTE'. I get the 'nearly one' part - that makes it sound like it's the equivalent of 4 days per week (or thereabouts), but incremental has me stumped. If I were advertising a new position, I would say "I have dedicated nearly one FTE to this position in the 4th quarter of 2011 -- this is a new position".
I think dabug's explanation might be closest, in the sense that your boss has managed to scrape together nearly 1 FTE for the 4th quarter 2011 from budget underspends elsewhere, which makes it sound like it might be a temporary thing. (And FWIW, FTE for me == 'full-time equivalent', too; 1FTE might be a headcount of 2 or even 3 actual living breathing people.)
posted by impluvium at 2:04 PM on August 15, 2011
I think dabug's explanation might be closest, in the sense that your boss has managed to scrape together nearly 1 FTE for the 4th quarter 2011 from budget underspends elsewhere, which makes it sound like it might be a temporary thing. (And FWIW, FTE for me == 'full-time equivalent', too; 1FTE might be a headcount of 2 or even 3 actual living breathing people.)
posted by impluvium at 2:04 PM on August 15, 2011
FTE = "full time employee"
"incremental" = an increase
Therefore, an "incremental FTE" = an additional full time employee
posted by dfriedman at 2:32 PM on August 15, 2011
"incremental" = an increase
Therefore, an "incremental FTE" = an additional full time employee
posted by dfriedman at 2:32 PM on August 15, 2011
I've heard it used as spreading work through the existing employee base, not as a new employee.
posted by winna at 3:36 PM on August 15, 2011
posted by winna at 3:36 PM on August 15, 2011
Best answer: The language is a bit odd, but he probably just means that there is some portion of a FTE (full-time equivalent) position available. Where I work, for example, a .8 FTE is a position that has funding for 4 days per week (ie 80% of the salary of a full-time position). I have seen the term 'incremental' used in this situation as 'an increment of a FTE'. It sounds grammatically incorrect to me, but it is probably just that simple.
posted by dg at 4:08 PM on August 15, 2011
posted by dg at 4:08 PM on August 15, 2011
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posted by kindall at 12:54 PM on August 15, 2011