About Washington State University
What is Washington State University?
Washington State University (WSU) is a public research university based in Pullman. Its About page calls it "a public research university dedicated to improving lives by serving the public good", with "6 campuses, 11 academic colleges, Extension offices in all 39 Washington counties and on the Colville Reservation", and describes Pullman as "The oldest (founded 1890) and largest campus". This profile covers the full-time Administrative Professional (AP) postings on the university's Workday site. Faculty and "Classified and Non-Permanent" postings are not listed: civil service staff accrue leave under a separate policy that starts at 14 days a year.
Where will I work?
The AP roles are mostly on the Pullman campus, such as the "Tutoring and Peer Mentoring Coordinator", "Associate Director of Residence Life", "Communications Coordinator" and "University Bursar", with others in Spokane (the "Washington State SBDC Director"), Seattle (the "Managing Director" and a "Program Director") and Extension county offices: a "4-H Extension Coordinator" in Mason County and two "DBHR Prevention Fellow" roles in Thurston County, listed as hybrid. Each posting gives a pay range, for example "Monthly Salary: $4,061.90 - $6,092", and says "In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position." WSU's page on hours says its "business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. year-round" and that "Managers may approve an employee to work a flexible work schedule, including a 4/10s work schedule."
What is the WSU team like?
The About page describes "a supportive community defined by a can-do mindset that values hard work and dogged determination", and gives "403 Million Annual research funding, FY 2024". The new-employee benefits page says "Washington State University offers a comprehensive benefits package, encompassing a sizable amount of our employees' overall compensation package". Every posting closes with the same summary, "paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver".
Work-Life Balance
Policy 60.56 says "AP employees earn annual leave at the rate of 16.67 hours per month of completed service, based on full-time equivalent (FTE)", which is 200 hours, or 25 days of eight hours a year, from the first month, with "The maximum annual leave accrual is 352 hours (44 working days)". "Faculty and AP employees on annual appointments are entitled to one personal holiday to be used each fiscal year (July 1-June 30)", and "The University provides eleven holidays each fiscal year for faculty, AP, and civil service employees". A new full-time AP employee therefore has 25 vacation days, one personal holiday and 11 university holidays, 37 total days, with sick leave of "eight hours per month of completed service" on top. The December reduced-operations days between Christmas and New Year's Day are not extra days off: employees "should use their annual leave, personal holiday and/or accrued compensatory leave". Parental leave is available "for up to 12 weeks for the birth and care of the employee's newborn child or the placement of a child with the employee for adoption or foster care". On flexible schedules the FAQ says "working a flexible schedule does not automatically mean you will have Mondays or Fridays off", and summer hours run 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. from the first Monday after Commencement to the Friday before Fall Semester.
Perks and Benefits
The WSU Retirement Plan is "a tax-deferred defined contribution plan" where "WSU provides 100% matching contributions" and "Both employee and employer contributions are immediately and fully vested, and portable if you leave employment with WSU", at "Under age 35 = 5% of eligible monthly earnings" and "Age 35 and over = 7.5% of eligible monthly earnings". TIAA is the plan vendor, and optional Voluntary Investment Plans and a Deferred Compensation Program add to it. Health benefits come through the Public Employees Benefits Board: the benefits page lists "medical, dental, vision, life insurance, HSA, FSA, and more", elections are made "within the 31-day election window", and optional long-term disability cover is offered. The postings also name "training and development" and "employee tuition waiver", AP staff are "eligible for professional leave", and the Employee Wellbeing page offers WSU's "wellness resources" for "physical and mental health".