Wellesley College Core Competencies

The College has identified the eight core competencies described below in order to define what it is that Wellesley College values in terms of the skills, knowledge, and approaches necessary in our work. These competencies are used to classify roles under the Valuing Work program and are used in performance reviews under the Valuing Work @ Wellesley program.

Service to Constituents

Service to Constituents includes the ability to identify, understand, build relationships with, and respond to the needs and expectations of internal and external constituents in an appropriate manner; reflecting the goals and values of the College and demonstrating fiscal responsibility; focusing on the quality and timeliness of constituent programs and services. Specific Dimensions Include: Constituent Knowledge; Relationship Building; Responsiveness and Action.

Expertise

Expertise encompasses the ability to draw upon and utilize specific knowledge, skills and experiences that are needed to perform various Wellesley College roles. Functional knowledge includes both the specialized knowledge pertaining to a specific profession or specialty and knowledge pertaining to general College operations; skills include the ability to utilize technology in response to the changing environment. Specific Dimensions Include: Functional Knowledge and Skills; Education and Experience.

Accountability/Responsibility

This factor represents the degree to which one is responsible for one's own work, the work of others, and/or delivering services to the Wellesley College community; the impact of a position's end results on the work unit, function or College as a whole and those it serves; the degree of autonomy in decision making required for success; level of review generally given to work process and results; scope of work unit or organization involved. Specific Dimensions Include: Decision Making/Impact; Role Scope/Complexity; Degree of Supervision Given/Received.

Collaboration

Collaboration includes the ability to produce successful outcomes by working cooperatively with others; sharing relevant information and soliciting input and assistance of others; integrating input and seeking consensus to reach goals; understanding of team process and problem solving techniques. Specific Dimensions Include: Producing Results with Others; Collaborating Across Levels and Functions.

Communication

This factor addresses the ability to effectively interact and exchange information with other members of the Wellesley College community and external constituencies; to develop factual and logical presentations of one's ideas and opinions using written and verbal skills; to demonstrate effective listening skills by shaping and adapting one's own responses to address the issues and styles of others; to demonstrate courtesy and respect and handle confidential information appropriately. Specific Dimensions Include: Written and Verbal; Listening and Understanding; Relating to Others.

Innovation & Problem Solving, Critical Thinking

This factor addresses the ability to identify, define, critically analyze and resolve work problems through research and testing alternative ideas and approaches; thinking outside traditional parameters, using innovative and creative ideas and actions to improve work processes and service to constituents; seldom settling for a process or service that is "good enough" - adding value and taking measured risks to enhance achievement of the College's mission. Specific Dimensions Include: Problem Definition; Finding & Implementing Solutions; Ongoing Improvement.

Development of Self and Others

This factor focuses on the practice of providing a strong sense of purpose and mission for the professional development of oneself and others; developing a structure and work process that promotes successful outcomes; serving as an example to others by setting expectations for work, helping each other think through alternatives, and managing diversity; managing one's own development and mentoring/coaching others; seeking appropriate opportunities to expand work-related knowledge, skills and experiences. Specific Dimensions Include: Coaching/Leading/Managing; Career Development/Training.

Affirming and Enabling Diversity

Affirming and Enabling Diversity focuses on understanding Wellesley’s commitment to diversity and engaging in respectful interaction with all members of the community and its constituents; actively supporting diversity initiatives and awareness; holding others accountable for creating and promoting a diverse work environment; promoting a diverse work environment through education, training and professional development opportunities and actively seeking ways to recruit, hire, retain and manage a diverse workforce.