Hiring Classified Staff

Classified employees perform a wide variety of clerical, technical, maintenance, and instructional support activities in support of college programs and activities. Typically, classified workers are paid hourly, and are eligible to earn overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours per week.

When hiring classified staff, you must first decide if this will be a regular position or a temporary position. Regular positions have recurring funding in place for each year. Temporary positions are usually used for a specific purpose for a limited duration. 

Page Contents 

 

Regular Positions

Temporary Positions

Full-Time Permanent Positions

A position of unlimited duration. 

Cyclic Positions

Cyclic year positions are scheduled to work less than twelve full months each year due to known, recurring periods in the annual cycle when the position is not needed; or limited funding of the position. 

Project Positions

Project positions are classified permanent positions established for the purpose of a defined project for which the employer expects the work to be of a time-limited nature with an expected end date.

Nonpermanent Positions

A position of a duration not to exceed two years with some civil service protections. The employee has been advised as to the nonpermanent nature of the assignment prior to their engagement.

Temporary Positions

A position of short duration not to exceed one year or 1,050 hours worked, whichever comes first.  The employee has been advised as to the temporary nature of the assignment prior to their engagement.

Hiring process for regular positions

This page covers the hiring process for regular classified positions at Western. This process is for not only full-time permanent classified staff hires, but also for cyclic or project hires. If you are interested in hiring temporary staff, please refer to the Hiring Temporary Classified Staff page. 

Step 1: Planning your hire

Hiring Committees

Classified positions do not require the use of a search committee; however, best practice is that you have a team of 3-people who can function in this capacity.

Budgeting

Position Descriptions

A position description will need to be completed via PageUp. HR will provide you with the classification information needed for you to continue with the hire. If you have questions, please email HR. 

Step 2: The hiring process

Union Recruitment Rules

WFSE (Washington Federation of State Employees, Bargaining Units A, B and E)

  • The University will offer the position to the most senior, qualified, candidate on the layoff/recall list
  • If no qualified/interested candidates on the layoff/recall list the position will be posted internally for 7-calendar days. Only current permanent (no longer on probation) WFSE employees are eligible to apply during this time.
    • If there are qualified internal candidates (meet the minimum qualifications listed on the job announcement) one of the internal candidates will be hired.
      • If internal candidates apply and you feel they did not meet the minimum qualifications they may request and be provided an explanation.
    • If no qualified/interested candidates from the internal posting period, the position can be posted externally for a minimum of 7-calendar days.

PSE (Public School Employees of WWU, Bargaining Units PTE and D)

  • Laid-off employees on the appropriate layoff list will be considered first in seniority order. The most senior candidate who has the required qualifications will be offered the position.
  • If no qualified/interested candidates on the layoff/recall list the position will be posted internally for 7-calendar days. Only current permanent (no longer on probation) PSE employees are eligible to apply during this time.
    • If there are qualified internal candidates, you will offer an interview to at least three (3) candidates; if there are fewer than three (3) you will interview all candidates.
  • If no qualified internal candidates, the position will be posted externally for a minimum of 7-calendar days.

Tools for Interviewing

Reference Checks

 

Step 3: After hiring

New Hire Paperwork

Note: New hires need to complete new hire paperwork prior to starting their position and cannot begin work until their Form I-9 is completed. They can stop by Human Resources (Humanities Bldg., Room 203) anytime during our office hours: M-F, 8-5 (closed major holidays).  Please contact Human Resources with any questions.

Onboarding Resources