Employment Services

Professional - Scope of Search Required

Almost all regular positions must go through a full search (internal posting and external advertising). A few positions will qualify for a limited search (posting only). In some narrow and specific situations, a search waiver (no posting or advertising required) will be permitted.

Position will be posted and advertised to provide opportunity for both internal and external candidates to apply. Note: people working at USM who have never been through a search (such as student workers, grad assistants, and temporary hires) are not internal candidates. Generally, any qualified internal candidate is to be interviewed/considered before external candidates, and should be offered the position if equally or better qualified than externals.

Advertising may be local, statewide, regional or national depending on level of the position, minority/women representation in the career field/department, available advertising budget, and likely return-on-investment. All high-level administration positions are to be searched nationally.

B. Limited Search (Internal posting only; no external advertising)

A limited search may be appropriate when the department has identified a highly-qualified internal at USM or other UMS campus who is available and interested in the position, and qualified external candidates are unlikely to exist or be competitive.   Approvals will normally be limited to positions where there is no under-utilization of women and/or minorities as outlined in the USM Affirmative Action Plan.  Limited searches will not be approved for high-level positions.  To request this option:   Provide job description, signed PAF and request for the limited search option to Employment Services. Note: We will post at USM only unless you specify that it should also be sent to other UMS campuses.  Employment Services arranges for posting and reviews the resume(s) of the candidate(s) prior to interview and job offer.

Search waivers will normally be granted under the following conditions:

1. Persons specifically named in funded grants because of unique skills/requirements.
2. Post-doctorate position
3. Position held by a current USM employee and altered as a result of reorganization/reassignment of functions. Note: This is not truly a vacancy but you must contact Employment Services before proceeding, since there are likely to be considerations of revising the job descriptions, potential level/pay changes, possible change in bargaining unit, new appointment letter reflecting change in supervision, etc.
4. Temporary replacement of an employee on a leave of absence with return rights
5. Placement of a current employee in an acting or interim appointment
6. Campus President waiver for "exceptional circumstances." This requires the President=s personal approval.

To request one of these options:  Provide job description, signed PAF and written request with justification to Employment Services. If approved, Employment Services reviews the resume of the candidate prior to job offer.

Any position lasting 1 year or more is a "regular" (benefits-eligible) position and must be filled either via a full search, limited search, or search waiver according to the guidelines above. Any position lasting less than 7 months is "temporary" (not benefits-eligible) and does not require a search or search waiver. When a position will last between 7 and 12 months, the hiring department has the option of designating it as regular or temporary.

Please use the Professional Search Checklist as a guide to the process.

For problems with this page, contact: Linda Boody