Conduct a Search
These are the basic steps in conducting a search to fill a vacant position. There may be some additional criteria depending on the type and classification of the position.
Required Training
Affirmative action training is required for all searches. Search committee members will be required to complete Minnesota State Search Advisory Committee Training prior to serving on a search committee.
To register for this online course:
- Log into the State of MN Employee Self-Service
- Under Enterprise Menu, select “State of MN Self Service”
- Select the option “Enterprise Learning Mgmt”
- Search the catalog for the course and enroll in all 4 modules
- Launch and complete the modules from your All Learning folder
Review the Search Advisory Committee Training (PDF) for detailed instructions on accessing the online training modules.
The Search Toolkit has all the instructions and documentation you need when participating on a search committee.
A search committee comprised of at least 3 members will evaluate the applications.
Evaluation will be based only upon the information provided by the applicant.
Once all applications are reviewed, the search committee sends a list of applicants recommended for interview to the Human Resources.
Human Resources, along with the hiring supervisor, then reviews the recommended applicants and if approved, will direct the committee to extend interview invitations.
After interviewing candidates, the search committee submits its recommendation to the hiring supervisor and Human Resources.
The hiring supervisor selects the candidate to be offered the position.
Once a candidate is recommended for hire, the hiring supervisor or Human Resources will extend an offer to the candidate.
If the candidate accepts the position, the hiring supervisor will work with Human Resources to initiate any necessary hire paperwork.
These are a few of the commonly asked questions regarding the search and hiring process.
A search committee should consist of at least 3 individuals. Special attention should be taken to ensure that the committee members are diverse.
The University advertises all unclassified probationary positions for at least 21 days and all fixed term positions for at least 21 days.
Classified positions are advertised to the public for at least 21 days.
Yes, you must conduct a search. Knowing who you want to hire is not a valid reason to waive a search.
Yes, in some situations this is permitted by the applicable bargaining agreement or University policy.
No. We cannot advertise a position at one rank and hire at another.
If the other candidates were aware that we were willing to consider candidates at a higher rank, they may have applied, and the applicant pool may have been substantially different.
Yes. Search committee members are required to complete this training.
Once a position has been approved and advertised, the search committee chair may contact Human Resources to schedule a training session.
As a search committee member, you will have access to private personnel data and as such must safeguard this information. Maintaining confidentiality is a legal requirement as well as a professional courtesy.
All information contained within applications and supporting materials are considered “personnel data” under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act (MGDPA).
Violations of data privacy can create legal institutional liability for Winona State and personal liability for search committee members. Consult with the Director of Affirmative Action before releasing any information.
Access is limited only to search committee members. Any individual who is not a search committee member may not have access to applications or search materials.
Once an applicant becomes a finalist, certain information is available to non-search committee members. Consult with the Director of Affirmative Action before releasing any information.
Depending on the position, WSU has hiring goals for four underutilized groups:
- women
- minorities
- persons with disabilities
- veterans
Review the 2022-2024 Affirmative Action Plan (PDF) for more details.