You will probably have questions about your job and student employment in general, and the Student Employment Office staff is here to answer them. However, some of the more common areas of concern are covered in this brochure.
Students under 18 should be aware that they will need working papers before they can start their campus jobs. Federal law requires all employees to complete Form I-9 prior to employment. If you have not already completed this form, please stop by the Student Employment Office, 220 West College.
According to visa regulations, on-campus working hours are limited to 20 hours per week during the academic year, and 40 hours per week during vacations (fall, winter, and spring breaks, intersession, and summer vacation).
Student jobs are plentiful and varied at Princeton, and any student who wants to work on campus should be able to locate a job. Although the University's policy is to first help place students with a job included in the financial aid award, many jobs are available to both aid and non-aid students.
The Student Employment Office sends a detailed job assignment and/or contact information to all incoming freshmen. Returning students typically go back to their previous job or have made arrangements to secure a new position.
If you haven't worked before or would like to change jobs, first go to the Student Employment website at www.princeton.edu/se. All student jobs at Princeton are posted on this site.
You arrange your work schedule with your immediate supervisor. Student jobs are paid on an hourly basis and the pay rate is determined by the department in conjunction with Student Employment Office guidelines (included in this brochure).
Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based federal program. Eligible students have FWS included as part of the financial aid award. However, not all students with a job in their aid package are eligible for FWS. Your award letter will specifically state "Federal Work-Study" if you are eligible.
Some returning FWS students are sent specific job information if they have requested assistance in locating a job. However, whether you are hired at that particular position is up to you and your supervisor after you have contacted one another.
One component of the Federal Work-Study Program is community service. Princeton encourages students to work in community service areas such as education, health care, housing and neighborhood improvement, literacy training, and other activities specified in the Community Service Act.
Keep in mind that regardless of whether you are paid FWS funds, the pay rates are the same. Students are paid hourly and in compliance with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
There are several broad categories of student jobs and within each category there are different levels of responsibility, skill, and experience required. Supervisors select the most appropriate job category and pay grade in accordance with the following guidelines. A student's hourly pay rate is based on both the pay grade and the number of hours the student has worked at the same pay grade level.
The Student Employment Office has the responsibility for reviewing job descriptions and pay rates and ensuring there is consistency in student wages across campus. If employers or supervisors have questions about the appropriate pay grade, contact us and we can assist you. Job categories and examples of job titles are below.
All student jobs allow for payment on an hourly basis, with rates of pay determined according to two criteria—the job classification and the length of time the student has worked in that job or a related field. Job classifications and sample job categories are listed below.
Classification AA positions (sitting positions) must remain at their work site during their hours of employment for the purpose of information and security, performing tasks for about 50 percent of the time.
Classification A positions require no special skills or prior experience and include jobs such as file clerk, mailroom assistant, monitor, photocopy operator, security watchperson, and ticket collector.
Classification B positions require limited skills and/or experience and include jobs such as department assistant I, event assistant I, library aide I, lockout assistant, security aide, and welcome desk attendant.
Classification C positions usually require at least one year of experience in the department or related work area and include jobs such as campus guide, clinical assistant, data entry assistant, department assistant II, event assistant II, lab assistant, library aide II, and Tiger Patrol.
Classification D positions normally require one or more years of experience or related course work. Jobs entailing extensive physical exertion, adverse working conditions, or the need for special skills are also included in this classification and include jobs such as athletic trainer, campus center house crew, campus center program assistant, computing help desk consultant I, departmental tour guide, department assistant III, event assistant III, grader, health aide, health promotions assistant, library aide III, medical transport vehicle coordinator, peer education adviser, shuttle driver, ticket associate, tutor I, and wait staff.
Classification E positions usually require from two to three years of experience or related course work and have a higher level of responsibility such as café co-manager, computing help desk consultant II, event assistant IV, department assistant IV, department project leaders, laboratory technician I, library aide IV, marketing assistant, programmer I, research assistant I (including technical or language skills), Tiger Caller, tutor II, Web page assistant, and writing and editing assistant.
Classification F and G positions are determined by experience and proficiency in the necessary area. These positions typically require three or more years of experience or related course work and include computing help desk consultant III (F), computing help desk consultant IV (G), laboratory technician II, media audiovisual assistant, programmer II, research assistant II, and tutor III.
Classification H and I positions require two or more years of experience or related course work and/or special skills along with proficiency in a particular area. These positions include coordinator, instructor, medical transport vehicle manager, and manager (no hours progression).
Classification J positions require either a high level of expertise or responsibility, and there is no assigned rate. Rates are individually approved through the Student Employment Office for payment. These positions include campus center building supervisor, entertainer (pianist, band member, soloist, etc.), and Tiger Caller supervisor.may be earlier during holiday periods.) Subsequent to the student’s entry, the student’s supervisor must approve his or her time before forwarding it for further processing by the Payroll Office. Any employment of students at rates over $13.60 (rate J) an hour must be coordinated with the Student Employment Office.
Academic Year 2009–10 (effective September 7, 2009)
Federal Work-Study Program 2009–10 dates are September 7, 2009–May 16, 2010
| Classification | |||||||
| AA | |||||||
| Sitting positions | $7.80 (no hours progression) | ||||||
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | |
| 0–240 hours | $10.60 | $10.70 | $10.90 | $11.20 | $11.65 | $12.30 | $12.55 |
| 241–480 hours | 11.00 | 11.10 | 11.20 | 11.55 | 12.20 | 12.60 | 12.80 |
| 481–720 hours | 11.15 | 11.30 | 11.40 | 11.85 | 12.35 | 12.80 | 12.90 |
| 721 hours & up | 11.25 | 11.40 | 11.60 | 12.15 | 12.65 | 13.00 | 13.15 |
| H | |||||||
| Manager | $14.20 (no hours progression) | ||||||
| I | |||||||
| Coordinator | $14.40 (no hours progression) | ||||||
| Instructor | $14.40 (no hours progression) | ||||||
| J | |||||||
| Individually approved for payment through the Student Employment Office | |||||||
Student Employment Office
220 West College
Office hours: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays
(609) 258-3334 Fax: (609) 258-0336
seoffice@princeton.edu - www.princeton.edu/se
Nondiscrimination Statement
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other federal, state, and local laws, Princeton University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or status as a disabled or Vietnam-era veteran in any phase of its employment process, in any phase of its admission or financial aid programs, or other aspects of its educational programs or activities. The vice provost for institutional equity and diversity is the individual designated by the University to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX, Section 504 and other equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations and laws. Questions or concerns regarding Title IX, Section 504 or other aspects of Princeton's equal opportunity or affirmative action programs should be directed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Princeton University, 321 Nassau Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 or (609) 258-6110.
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