“permanent line position”: what does it mean in the US?

manpreet Best Answer 3 years ago

Question: What is the meaning of "permanent line position" within a large organization (+10K employees) the US?

I have searched online for a definition but have failed to come up with one.

More specifically, I would like to know whether a position described as:

• "full-time"
• "occupying a full-time budget line"
• the first contract would last for 2 years; subsequent ones would have a 3-year duration
• contract is renewable and there is no limit to the number of renewals;
• available to me for the long-term, subject to satisfactory performance (this last point is not stated in the offer, but is a key point of how this position has been informally "sold" to me in verbal discussions from day 1)

would commonly be understood as a "permanent line position".

Context/reason for asking: I have been offered a position at a large organization (more specifically, a non-tenure track, teaching-focused faculty job at a university) and would like to develop my own understanding of whether I might be eligible for certain benefits based on the university's policies before bringing up this matter. The said policies use the term "permanent line position" to define the eligibility for several benefits.

manpreet 3 years ago

For a faculty position at a university, a permanent line means that the funding for the position is guaranteed. Note, however, your position is not guaranteed because you are not tenured.