Staff Ranks & Promotion Path
Chapter 20 — The five staff tiers, exact permissions for each rank, and how promotions are earned.
Federal SMP uses a five-tier staff ladder: Helper → Sr. Helper → Mod → Sr. Mod → Admin. Every rank builds on the trust and skill demonstrated in the one before it — there are no shortcuts, and no rank is handed out for reasons other than proven ability. Each rank inherits all permissions from the rank below it. The permissions listed below are the actual server permissions each rank holds — full command details live in Commands by Rank.
Helper
The entry point for all new staff. Helpers are tested and personally trained by management and senior staff before being trusted with commands. A Helper's job is to build the fundamentals: answering player questions, enforcing chat rules, and learning how the team operates.
Permissions
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
/warn <player> <reason> | Issue a formal warning |
/mute <player> <duration> <reason> | Mute up to 24 hours |
/kick <player> <reason> | Remove a player from the current session |
/banlist, /mutelist | View all active bans and mutes |
| Staff chat | In-game staff chat access |
| Discord | Timeout/mute, warn, kick |
Restrictions
| Restriction | Details |
|---|---|
| Mutes capped at 24h | Longer mutes require Sr. Helper or above |
| Cannot reverse punishments | No /unmute or /unwarn — ask a Mod to fix mistakes |
| Cannot ban | No access to /ban, /ipban, or any ban commands |
| Cannot teleport | No access to /tp or /tphere |
| Cannot screenshare | Must escalate suspected cheaters to a Mod or above |
NOTE
Helpers are expected to focus on general player support and chat moderation. If a situation requires investigation tools or banning authority, escalate to a Mod immediately.
Sr. Helper
A Helper who has proven consistent, reliable judgement. The rank is a bridge: same job as Helper, more trust with punishment length and lookups.
Permissions
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| Everything from Helper | All Helper permissions carry over (Discord actions identical) |
/mute | Duration cap raised to 7 days |
/warns <player> | View a player's active warnings |
/alts <player> | Known alt accounts on the same IP |
Promotion to Mod
No fixed timeline. Promotion happens once management and coworkers agree the Sr. Helper has demonstrated reliable judgement, rule knowledge, and professionalism.
Mod
The rank at which a staff member gains ban authority, punishment reversals, and full investigative tools, including independent screensharing.
Permissions
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| Everything from Sr. Helper | All permissions carry over |
/ban <player> <duration> <reason> | Ban up to 30 days |
/unmute / /unwarn | Reverse mutes and warnings issued by any staff member |
/mute | Cap removed — permanent mutes allowed |
/ipban, /ipmute, /ipkick, /ipwarn | IP-wide punishments |
/history, /accounthistory | Full punishment history and account records |
/blame, /checkpunish, /checkuser | Audit punishments and staff actions |
/changereason, /extend, /expunge | Modify existing punishments |
/tp / /tphere | Teleport for investigations |
/invsee <player> | Inspect player inventories |
/clearchat, /broadcast, /clearinventory, /kill | Chat and emergency tools |
| Screensharing | Conduct screenshares independently without senior oversight |
| Discord | Adds ban and unmute |
NO UNBAN
Mods can issue bans but cannot reverse them. /unban is Admin-only — a mistaken ban goes to an Admin immediately.
Sr. Mod
A Mod trusted with the server's heaviest punishment: permanence.
Permissions
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| Everything from Mod | All permissions carry over |
/ban | Cap removed — permanent bans allowed |
/seen <player> | Full last-seen data |
/whois <player> | Full player info (UUID, IP, gamemode, location) |
Promotion to Admin
No fixed timeline. Promotion is based entirely on demonstrated experience, trust, and the judgement shown over time.
Admin
Admin is earned when management judges a Sr. Mod has the experience, judgement, and trust necessary for the server's most sensitive tools and decisions. Admin is the highest staff-earned rank.
Permissions
| Command / Access | Description |
|---|---|
| Everything from Sr. Mod | All investigation, punishment, and screenshare permissions carry over |
/unban / /unbanip | Only rank that can reverse bans and IP bans |
/vanish | Become invisible to all non-staff players |
/commandspy | See commands players run in real time |
/gamemode spectator | Observe through walls and underground (x-ray checks) |
/god | Toggle invulnerability (for investigation) |
/tps, /plugins, /version | Server health diagnostics |
| Permanent bans & appeals | Final authority on permanent bans and appeal decisions |
| Discord | Only rank with unban |
Discord Management
| Access | Description |
|---|---|
| Manage channels/roles | Create, edit, and delete channels and roles below Admin level |
| AutoMod rules | Configure and manage Discord AutoMod rules |
| Server lockdowns | Initiate server-wide lockdowns during raids or emergencies |
Owner / Manager
This rank sits above Admin and is not a promotion path — it belongs to those who founded or manage Federal SMP itself. It carries full server authority: unrestricted access to all commands and systems, server configuration, and final say on all policy, staff decisions, and this handbook.
Rank Comparison at a Glance
| Capability | Helper | Sr. Helper | Mod | Sr. Mod | Admin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
/warn | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/mute | ≤ 24h | ≤ 7d | Perm | Perm | Perm |
/kick | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/warns / /alts | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/history / /accounthistory | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/unmute / /unwarn | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/ban | No | No | ≤ 30d | Perm | Perm |
/ipban / /ipmute | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/tp / /tphere / /invsee | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Screensharing | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
/seen / /whois | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
/unban / /unbanip | No | No | No | No | Yes |
/vanish | No | No | No | No | Yes |
/commandspy / /god / spectator | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Discord ban / unmute | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Discord unban | No | No | No | No | Yes |
GOLDEN RULE
Every promotion on this team is earned through demonstrated trust, not tenure alone. Time in rank matters far less than the judgement, consistency, and integrity you show while you're there.
Quick Review — Q&A
Q: What are the five staff ranks in order?
A: Helper → Sr. Helper → Mod → Sr. Mod → Admin. Each rank inherits everything from the one below it.
Q: What is the longest mute each rank can issue?
A: Helper — 24 hours. Sr. Helper — 7 days. Mod and above — permanent.
Q: Can a Helper unmute a player they muted by mistake?
A: No. Reversals (/unmute, /unwarn) start at Mod. Post in staff chat immediately so a Mod can fix it.
Q: Who can issue a permanent ban, and who can reverse a ban?
A: Permanent bans: Sr. Mod and above. Reversals (/unban, /unbanip): Admin only.
Q: Which rank gets /vanish?
A: Admin. Sr. Mods and below observe openly or work from gathered evidence.
Q: Can staff be promoted into the Owner/Manager rank?
A: No — it is not a promotion path. It belongs to those who founded or manage Federal SMP.