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Description of HESA Occupational Codes

Search HESA Occupational Codes for job titles recognised by HESA.

Example: 'Teaching Assistant' or comma separated words like Demonstrator,Transcriber,Technical Assistant (maximum 3 words)

GROUP 1: Managers

This occupational group covers those people whose main tasks consist of the direction and co-ordination, often with the help of subordinate managers and supervisors, of the functioning of primarily non-academic departments and services within Higher Education Institutions. People can usually be allocated to this group on the basis that 'Manager', 'Director' or 'Head of' appears within their job title. Workers in this group generally fall under one of the following categories:

  1. Maintenance, Grounds, Construction and Laboratory Managers
  2. Financial, Administrative and Office Managers
  3. Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations Managers
  4. Personnel, Training and Industrial Relations Managers
  5. Information and Communication Technology Managers
  6. Property, Hospitality, Retail and Student Services Managers

Group 2A: Academic Professionals

Academic professionals are responsible for planning, directing and undertaking academic teaching and research within Higher Education Institutions. All academic staff are classified to this group regardless of their discipline (e.g. science, engineering, social sciences, humanities, languages). This group should also include medical practitioners, dentists, veterinarians and other health care professionals who undertake lecturing or research activities within higher education institutions. Workers in this group fall under one of the following categories:

  1. Vice Chancellors, Deans and Academic Directors
  2. Lecturers, Tutors and Teaching Assistants
  3. Researchers

Group 2B: Non Academic Professionals

Workers in this group co-ordinate the administrative work of a university; organise and control library and other archive services; advise on and develop information technology services and software systems; collect and analyse financial information; and perform a variety of high level science, engineering and medical related tasks but who are NOT considered to be academic staff. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Senior Administrators and Registrars
  2. Librarians and Archivists
  3. Accountants, Business Analysts and Surveyors
  4. Computing Consultants, Analysts and Programmers
  5. Science, Engineering and Health Professionals (Non Academic)

Group 3A: Laboratory, Engineering, Building, IT and Medical Technicians (Including Nurses)

Workers in this group assist the work of scientists; assist in the development and maintenance of electronic systems; support the work of building and civil engineers; prepare technical drawings; are responsible for the day-to-day running of computer systems and provide technical support for IT users; and provide a variety of technical support functions for health professionals. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Laboratory Technicians
  2. Electrical and electronic technicians
  3. Engineering technicians
  4. Building Technicians, Architectural Technicians and Draughtspersons
  5. IT Operations and User Support Technicians
  6. Nurses, Midwives and Medical Technicians

Group 3B: Student Welfare Advisers and Assistants; Careers Advisers; Vocational Training Instructors; Personnel and Planning Officers

People in this group work with schools, colleges and local communities to improve participation in higher education; provide counselling, careers and other welfare advisory services to students; plan, organise and undertake vocational instruction for staff and students; undertake activities related to recruitment, training and staff appraisal; study work methods; plan timetables; and encourage compliance with health and safety regulations. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Community Workers, Counsellors, Accommodation Officers and Student Services Assistants
  2. Career Advisers and Placement Officers
  3. Staff Development Officers and Training Instructors
  4. Personnel Officers, Safety Officers, Business Analysts and Planning Officers

Group 3C: Artistic, Media, Public Relations, Marketing and Sports Instructors

Workers in this group create artistic works; write, edit and evaluate literary material; perform in acts of entertainment; arrange and perform musical compositions; produce television, film and stage presentations; present television and radio broadcasts; operate camera, sound and lighting equipment; promote and market the image of universities; and develop and provide instruction for sporting and recreational activities. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Artists, Performers, Graphic Designers and Arts Officers
  2. Editors, Editorial Assistants and Publication Officers
  3. Audio-visual Technicians, Photographic and Broadcasting Technicians
  4. Information Officers, Public Relations Officer and Events Organisers
  5. Marketing, Sales and Purchasing Officers
  6. Sports Coaches, Instructors and Development Officers

Group 4A: Library assistants, clerks and general administrative assistants

Workers in this group perform administrative tasks in the maintenance of accounting information and financial records; undertake administrative tasks in relation to the activities of libraries, the storage and transportation of freight, and market research; and create, maintain, update and file correspondence, data, documents and information held electronically for storage and despatch. People described as 'clerk', 'clerical assistant' or with other clerical related job titles that lack specific details should also be allocated to this group. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Library Assistants and Clerks
  2. Accounts and Wages Clerks, Book-Keepers and Other Financial Clerks
  3. Filing Clerks and Records Assistants (non-financial)
  4. Database Assistants and Data Entry Clerks
  5. General Office and Clerical Assistants
  6. Market Research Interviewers

Group 4B: Secretaries, Typists, Receptionists and Telephonists

Workers in this group provide shorthand and audio dictation services; type, edit and print documents using typewriters, word processors or personal computers; perform general clerical and organisational duties in support of management or other workers; operate telephones, switchboards and other telecommunications equipment; and receive and direct clients and visitors. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Secretaries and Personal Assistants
  2. Typists
  3. Receptionists
  4. Telephonists and Telecommunications Operators

a. Secretaries and Personal Assistants

Secretaries and personal assistants file and maintain records, transcribe notes and dictation into typewritten form and perform other routine clerical tasks in support of senior staff or other workers.

Related Job Titles

  1. Administrative Secretary
  2. Departmental Secretary
  3. Secretarial/Clerical Assistant
  4. Secretary

b. Typists

Typists type letters, minutes, memos, reports and other documents from written or dictated matter, using typewriters, word processors or personal computers.

Related Job Titles

  1. Transcriber
  2. Typist
  3. Word Processor Operator

c. Receptionists

Receptionists receive and direct telephone calls and visitors to Higher Education Institutions.

Related Job Titles

  1. Reception Officer
  2. Receptionist

d. Telephonists and Telecommunications Operators

Workers in this group receive and direct callers and operate switchboards to relay incoming, outgoing and internal calls, and operate equipment to transmit and receive signals and messages.

Related Job Titles

  1. Radio Telephone Operator
  2. Switchboard Operator
  3. Telephone Operator
  4. Telephonist

Group 5: Chefs, Gardeners, Electrical and Construction Trades, Mechanical Fitters and Printers 

Workers in this group prepare food ; tend gardens, parks, forestry, sports pitches and other outdoor areas; install, maintain, test and repair electrical and electronic equipment including office machinery and computing equipment; perform skilled construction tasks; install and repair industrial heavy plant and machinery; and operate printing and binding machines. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Chefs and Cooks
  2. Horticultural Technicians, Groundsmen and Gardeners
  3. Electrical Trades
  4. Construction Trades
  5. Fitters and Maintenance Technicians
  6. Printing Trades

Group 6: Caretakers, Residential Wardens, Sports and Leisure Attendants, Nursery Nurses and Care Occupations

Workers in this group undertake care-taking and housekeeping duties, supervise those living within halls of residence, provide services and equipment for sporting and recreational activities, supervise play and other activities for pre-school age children, provide technical assistance to veterinarians, and provide other services in the care of animals. To ensure high levels of integrity, some occupations require professional qualifications or registration with professional bodies. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Caretakers and Housekeepers
  2. Residential Wardens, Support Workers and Clinical Assistants
  3. Nursery Nurses and Playgroup Leaders
  4. Sports and Leisure Attendants
  5. Animal Care Workers

Group 7: Sales Occupations

Workers in this group sell goods and services in retail establishments; accept payment in respect of sales; obtain orders and collect payments for goods and services; replenish stocks of goods in stores; create displays of merchandise; and collect cash payments and money from meters, vending machines and other cash operated machinery. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Sales and Retail Assistants
  2. Customer Care Occupations
  3. Cash Collectors

Group 8: Drivers, Maintenance Officers and Plant Attendants

Workers in this group drive and assist in the operation of various transport vehicles; operate and monitor industrial plant and equipment; undertake routine laboratory tests; and perform and oversee basic tasks in relation to the construction, maintenance and repair of buildings. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Drivers
  2. Maintenance Officers and Supervisors
  3. Plant and Assembly Operatives
  4. Laboratory Assistants (Not Technicians)

Group 9: Cleaners, Catering Assistants, Security Officers, Porters and Maintenance Workers

Workers in this group perform a variety of elementary manual tasks, often involving the use of simple hand-held tools and, in some cases, requiring a degree of physical effort. The following categories of workers fall within this group:

  1. Cleaners, Domestics and Laundry Assistants
  2. Catering Assistants, Bar Staff, Waiters and Ushers
  3. Security Officers and Car Park Attendants
  4. Porters and Mailroom Workers
  5. Reprographics and Printing Assistants
  6. Maintenance and Estates Workers