Parking Structure IV Brings Much Needed Staff Parking to UC Davis Health Center
Parking & Mobility
October 5, 2022
After achieving temporary occupancy in January, the UC Davis Health
stock.adobe.com / vpanteon
When my predecessor retired, I was asked to serve as Interim Director of Parking Services while the administration worked to fill the position permanently. I thought it was the right decision for me, as I wanted a shot at becoming the permanent Director of Parking Services. After spending 19 months as the Interim Director, I did in fact get the position. I would like to share some lessons I learned through the process, hoping it will help you make an informed decision if you are ever asked to serve in an interim capacity.
You are about to play an increasingly important role within your organization and are assuming additional responsibilities. That should be rewarded.
You are about to play an increasingly important role within your organization and are assuming additional responsibilities. That should be rewarded.
When my predecessor retired, I was asked to serve as Interim Director of Parking Services while the administration worked to fill the position permanently. I thought it was the right decision for me, as I wanted a shot at becoming the permanent Director of Parking Services. After spending 19 months as the Interim Director, I did in fact get the position. I would like to share some lessons I learned through the process, hoping it will help you make an informed decision if you are ever asked to serve in an interim capacity.
When presented with the opportunity, I felt accepting the position of Interim Director would give me a leg up on other candidates applying for the position. Throughout my time in the position, I learned that there are several things you should consider when deciding to accept an interim position.
Clear expectations and the ability to communicate freely about both what you want to do and what they expect you to do are key.
Two for the Price of One?
Generally, you will be assuming two job duties. This means you will have several more items on your plate than you do in your current role; most likely you will have more meetings, more projects, more employees to supervise. If presented with an interim opportunity, you must not be afraid to ask questions: can you temporarily assign job duties to other individuals? With the increase in duties, can you temporarily increase salaries? It is important to understand if there are other individuals in your department that can help assume some of these duties. Don’t underestimate the added stress that doing two jobs can add to your life! Have a frank discussion with your supervisor, where you should ask if there is a time frame for a decision on a permanent replacement. This can help inform your decision on how and to whom to assign tasks, and what you can assume yourself while serving in an interim capacity.
Then there is the question of compensation. Typically, there is usually a salary increase when assuming these positions – negotiate appropriately! Ask the right questions about what happens next:
- If I’m not chosen for (or don’t want) the permanent position, will I go back to my position and salary?
- What is the outlook for a permanent salary increase?
These can be tough discussions, but you need to have them. You are about to play an increasingly important role within your organization and are assuming additional responsibilities. That should be rewarded.
Expectations
If you are accepting the interim position with intentions to apply for the permanent position, this can be a stage to prove you have the skills necessary to do the job. That said, you need to be very clear on expectations. What does your supervisor want you to accomplish? Is the expectation that you maintain a healthy status quo, or can you make strategic improvements? Can you implement processes or get a key project running during your interim tenure?
Clear expectations and the ability to communicate freely about both what you want to do and what they expect you to do are key. It may also give you some insight into what they are looking for in the permanent position.
As an example, one of the challenges we were experiencing in my department was parking fees. Raising fees or making other large financial changes while serving as an interim can be tricky. One the one hand, if it is going to be a hotly contested issue it can be a proving ground for your abilities to lead and work successfully with multiple stakeholder groups. Conversely, if not handled well or if not clearly communicated with leadership, it can also act as a mark against you in the hiring process. So, choose your battles well!
Don’t be afraid to move down a path. You’re in charge—move the department in the direction you think it should go.
stock.adobe.com / Aan
Your Competition
You should be prepared to compete for the permanent position. As the interim, do the best job possible, and implement the plan discussed with your supervisor. Be visible and impactful in meetings, and make sure your colleagues know who you are. More than likely, if there is a formal search committee for the position it will be comprised of people you often meet with. Have a plan to move the department forward and be able to discuss it. Don’t be afraid to move down a path. You’re in charge—move the department in the direction you think it should go, following the parameters we previously discussed. You have experience and internal job knowledge that outsiders don’t, you know where the department has come from and where it’s been heading—take advantage of that!
I was concerned that if I wasn’t chosen, a new director might undo any progress I’d made, so I didn’t push for changes. It was mentioned during my hiring process. Instead, push forward on the path you know to be right; if a new director is chosen, they can pick up where you left off or choose their own path. Don’t let that fear deter you from what you know to be the right approach.
You may feel pressure from the staff and various members of campus to apply and compete for the position, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.
stock.adobe.com/ jozefmicic
Don’t Let the Pressure Change Your Path
As you move into an interim leadership position, you may feel pressure from people that you previously did not have. As the Assistant Director, I was the person getting things done, much more involved in the operations side of the equation than the leadership. As the Interim Director, I had less time for that. The director is expected to have less involvement in the day-to-day work and spend more time planning for the future. Being the interim may help you to transition into that side of leadership and allow you to make decisions that are good for the department without actually being responsible for creating the full plan yet. Less pressure that way! It’s a test run, and as the interim, there is no requirement for you to apply or accept the permanent position. It’s like getting a test drive. You may feel pressure from the staff and various members of campus to apply and compete for the position, but ultimately the decision is yours to make. If you know you are not going to apply, then you can play an active role in the hiring process as well. There is something to be said for being happy doing the job you are doing and not wanting additional responsibilities.
Interim: External Opportunities
As my opportunity to serve as an interim leader came from within my own organization, most of my insights have been designed for internal candidates. There are certainly opportunities that exist for an individual from outside of an organization with the proper credentials to be employed as an interim. If no internal candidate exists or if a change is needed in the organization when a leader leaves, bringing in an external person to serve in an interim capacity is often a solution. This individual could seek a permanent position, or instead act as a consultant to fill the immediate need and help find the right candidate through the hiring process. If you are considering a position that you are not certain is a great fit, or if you want something less permanent, serving as an interim may be a good solution for you.
It Worked for Me!
Serving in an interim capacity can provide valuable insights into a position. While you may know beforehand whether you will seek a permanent position, if you are not certain it can be a practice run for both you and your supervisor. Your time as interim will play a valuable role in your future: you can establish yourself as the right person for the job, or you can play a role in hiring the next leader. It’s not often that you can test out a position without leaving your current one behind, so take advantage of it if it comes your way! ◆
Jeff Barnes, CAPP, is Director, Parking Services for Kansas State University.
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Parking Structure IV Brings Much Needed Staff Parking to UC Davis Health Center
Parking & Mobility
October 5, 2022
After achieving temporary occupancy in January, the UC Davis Health
