Initiate the search

The overall search process can take several months. Prior to starting the formal hiring process, approval from the CLAS Dean's Office must be given. Please follow these detailed instructions on the formal request process. For new positions, it may be necessary to create a new position description in PeopleAdmin.

Establish a Search Committee & Develop Position Description

These two steps may happen in any order or concurrently; for instance, search committee members may participate in drafting the position description or announcement; the University's promotion and tenure guidelines should inform all tenure-track (and non-tenure-track) faculty position descriptions. It is important that the search chair clearly defines the roles and duties of the search committee members and to establish a search timeline, details of the position being filled, scope of the search, how to rank candidates, etc.

A search committee is typically comprised of at least three faculty members charged with recruiting and screening candidates for the position. Administrators may be asked to support the committee in a number of ways, including scheduling meetings, arranging technical support for telephone or videoconference interviews, or navigating PeopleAdmin. Note that not all members of the search committee need to be present for every step of the process.

** Action items:

• Share the following with the department and/or search committee chair:
  • The CLAS Policy for hiring tenure track faculty, including start-up package negotiation
  • Note that the Dean’s Office provides a set budget (currently $4,500) to cover advertising, hosting, travel, etc. and that departments are responsible for any search costs that exceed the amount of funds allocated by the Dean’s Office. Discuss departmental plans to cover additional costs or non-reimbursable expenses, if applicable.
  • The Office of Human Resources’ tips for choosing a search committee
• Share the following with the search committee:
  • Search Committee Member PeopleAdmin user guide
  • Interviewing tips

** Useful tips:

• If this position will be funded by a grant, please contact the Departmental Research Administrator assigned to your department. Departmental Research Support Services will initiate the PeopleAdmin actions for grant-related hires.
• Appoint an odd number of people to the search committee to prevent tied votes.
• Suggest that the search committee chair consider inviting Human Resources and Departmental support staff to the first committee meeting.

>> Next step: Announce the vacancy