Frequently Asked Questions about University of Washington Careers

No, the University of Washington does not offer flexible working hours. However, the university does provide a range of resources for employees to manage their work-life balance, such as flexible scheduling, telecommuting, and other options.

The University of Washington offers a variety of career opportunities in a broad range of academic, research, and administrative fields. Common roles include faculty, research staff, academic advisors, librarians, IT professionals, administrators, and more. There are also opportunities for students to gain experience through internships, work-study programs, and research fellowships.

Yes, the University of Washington offers tuition reimbursement for eligible employees as part of their Professional Education Program.

The University of Washington encourages students to volunteer in their local community and recognizes the value of volunteer service. UW’s Center for Leadership and Community Engagement (CLCE) can help connect students to volunteer opportunities both on and off campus. The CLCE website includes a directory of many local volunteer opportunities and student organizations that are actively engaged in volunteer service. The University of Washington also has a Student Volunteer Program that supports and rewards UW students who volunteer in their communities.

Yes, the University of Washington offers a variety of professional development opportunities. These include workshops, seminars, and online courses designed to help students, faculty, and staff gain skills and knowledge related to their professional goals. Some examples include leadership training, project management, career development, and more. Additionally, the university offers a range of other professional development resources such as programs, resources, and events.

The University of Washington’s policies on intellectual property are outlined in the Intellectual Property (IP) Policy (UW-POL-10), which is administered by the Office of Research. According to the policy, the University of Washington owns all inventions, discoveries, and works of authorship that are created or developed by faculty, staff, students, and visiting researchers, using University resources and/or under the University’s auspices, unless otherwise stated in a written agreement. The University also owns copyrightable works of authorship produced by faculty, staff, and students, including but not limited to, software, textbooks, course materials, music, and artwork. The University also has policies and procedures in place to protect and enforce the intellectual property rights of faculty, staff, students, and visiting researchers.

The University of Washington is committed to providing a safe, respectful and inclusive learning and working environment for all members of the university community. Discrimination and harassment, in any form, are prohibited and will not be tolerated. The university has policies and procedures in place to protect the rights of individuals and to prevent and address discrimination and harassment. These policies and procedures are outlined in the University of Washington's Policy on Discrimination and Harassment. The policy includes information on the university's complaint process, resources available to those who have experienced discrimination or harassment, and resources for those who witness or are accused of discrimination or harassment.

The University of Washington values diversity and inclusion as fundamental to its mission of excellence in education, research, and service. UW is committed to building and sustaining an inclusive, diverse, and equitable community of faculty, staff, and students. This commitment is reflected in our Principles of Community. The University of Washington is dedicated to creating an inclusive campus climate and equitable access to opportunity for all members of our community. UW actively promotes the recruitment, retention, and advancement of a diverse faculty and staff, and encourages and supports a variety of resources, programs, and services to foster a sense of belonging for everyone. Additionally, UW recognizes that diversity and inclusion are essential to creating an enriched learning environment and a vibrant campus life. UW is committed to promoting an inclusive learning environment that is respectful of all individuals, regardless of culture, race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, socioeconomic background, and national origin.

The University of Washington recognizes the importance of providing a safe and healthy work and learning environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The University is committed to providing a safe working and living environment for everyone who is associated with the University, and has adopted a comprehensive health and safety program to ensure that the University meets its safety and health obligations. The University's health and safety program includes general policies and procedures, as well as specific policies and procedures for particular types of work, such as hazardous materials handling, working in confined spaces, and working with hazardous chemicals. The University also provides safety training and other educational programs for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

The University of Washington provides eligible staff with a minimum of three weeks of vacation and 10 days of sick leave each year. Vacation and sick leave is accrued on a monthly basis and is tracked in the university's online leave record system. Vacation and sick leave can be used for a variety of purposes, including personal needs, such as vacation and illness. Any unused vacation and sick leave can be rolled over to the following year. There is a maximum accrual limit of 30 days for vacation and 120 days for sick leave.

Yes, the University of Washington offers a wide range of job-specific benefits depending on the position. These benefits can include tuition assistance, flexible scheduling, and health, dental, and vision insurance.

The University of Washington offers a generous parental leave policy that provides eligible faculty and staff with up to 12 weeks of parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child. The policy also provides eligible faculty and staff with up to 5 days of leave for the purpose of providing care for a newborn or adopted child. The parental leave policy is available to all eligible faculty and staff regardless of gender, marital status, and/or sexual orientation.

The University of Washington does not have a policy on drug testing. If a student is suspected of being under the influence of drugs, the university may take appropriate action, which may include drug testing.

Yes, there are on-campus housing options available for University of Washington employees. University staff and faculty members can apply for University-provided housing, which consists of both apartments and single-family homes. Additionally, the University of Washington offers a variety of housing options in the surrounding area, including apartments, condos, and houses.

The University of Washington's policy on remote work is that it is encouraged when possible. Remote work should be used to increase flexibility and productivity, reduce overhead costs, and provide employees with greater choice and convenience. The University also encourages the use of technology to support remote work, such as video conferencing and collaboration tools.

No, you do not need to be a student to work at the University of Washington.

The University of Washington is committed to sustainability and is a leader in campus sustainability efforts. The University has achieved a number of sustainability accomplishments, including becoming a signatory of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, and setting an ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2050. The University is also investing in energy efficiency and renewable energy, creating campus green spaces, adopting sustainable purchasing and transportation practices, and promoting sustainability education and research.

The University of Washington does not have a formal dress code for employees. However, it is recommended that employees dress professionally and in appropriate attire for their work environment.

The University of Washington provides a comprehensive orientation program for new employees. This includes a welcome session, an introduction to the University, job specific training, and an introduction to the University’s policies and procedures. Additionally, the University also offers online training modules, professional development courses, and workshops.

Position types available at the University of Washington include faculty, research, administrative, technical, professional, and student staff. Specific positions include professors, lecturers, researchers, postdoctoral fellows, administrative officers, technical staff, professional staff, and student employees.