New Employee Frequently Asked Questions
Many new WSU Extension employees have similar questions. Listed below are several frequently asked questions. If you have specific questions that are not answered here, please either contact your direct supervisor or Jim Lindstrom, Director Professional Development, at jlindstr@wsu.edu or (509) 358-7871.
How do I get reimbursed for travel?
How often should I turn in my expenses?
When am I eligible for annual leave?
What if I need extra or special training?
What are the acronyms used in WSU Extension?
Who will I be working for?
The first answer is Washington State University. As an Extension educator, you may be assigned a county or counties to work with, one being your headquarter county where your office is located. Departmentalized campus based faculty are assigned to WSU campus or a Research & Extension center. You are responsible to a county director, district director or academic department chair who oversees your work and makes evaluations and considerations for salary. back to top
When do I get paid?
All WSU Extension employees are paid on the 10th and the 25th of the month. Your first pay check will arrive on the date that is two weeks after your initial date of employment. For example if you start on the first of the month, your first paycheck will arrive on the 25th of the month. It is advisable to have a bank account where your salary will be direct deposited. back to top
What is the relationship between the district director, county director, or academic department chair and myself?
In Washington State University Extension, the district director is the supervisor for the county directors that reside in each county. The county director may be your direct supervisor. Both the district and county director have budget authority, and are there to assist you in being successful in your program development. The Academic Department Chair is the direct supervisor for campus-based WSU Extension faculty. back to top
When do my benefits start?
Your Washington State University benefits will start on your first day of employment if your paperwork is turned in to the benefits office. You are requested to attend a Washington State University benefits orientation soon after you begin employment. While attending this at WSU Pullman is desirable, you can attend the benefits at any of the urban campuses or via video conference. Ask your direct supervisor about scheduling this piece of orientation. back to top
How do I get reimbursed for travel?
WSU Extension field faculty receive travel reimbursement from two sources - the University system and the county. In order to be reimbursed for travel expenses, WSU employees must submit a completed Travel Expense Voucher. Follow the WSU policies and procedures provided in the BPPM. Each county may have a different procedure for submitting travel to be paid by those accounts. Ask your direct supervisor or the support person that is in charge of budget management in your office for assistance with county reimbursement. back to top
How often should I turn in my expenses?
Most departments, districts and counties ask that you turn in your expenses monthly at a minimum. Please make sure you know purchasing policies of the university (refer to the BPPM) and/or the county. Ask for help from support staff that processes expenses in your office. back to top
When am I eligible for annual leave?
As WSU Extension faculty, you are accruing leave benefits from the date of employment. You cannot take leave before you accrue the leave. Learn more about annual leave, sick leave, and personal days from the WSU Faculty Manual leave section, this section contains information for both faculty and administrative professionals. At some future point in your career, you may also take advantage of sabbatical leave. back to top
As a county based faculty member, how do I connect with academic departments and other components of the University?
During your first few days of employment, you will probably travel to Pullman to attend Human Resources orientation. That may be an opportune time to meet individuals from the academic departments that you may work with. Also the program directors for Agriculture, Family Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth Development, Natural Resources, Community Development, and Diversity are an excellent bridge to the academic department. Please contact the appropriate program director:
- Agriculture – Pete Jacoby, at (509) 335-4561, or email jacoby@wsu.edu
- Community Development – Rob McDaniel, at (509) 335-2937, or email mcdaniel@wsu.edu
- Diversity – Mary Katherine Deen, at (509) 662-4730, or email mdeen@wsu.edu
-
Energy Program – Jake Fey, at 360-956-2000, or email Info@energy.wsu.edu
- Family Consumer Sciences – Louise Parker, at (253) 445-4584, or email parker@wsu.edu
- 4-H Youth Development – Pat BoyEs, at (253) 445-4589, or email boyesp@wsu.edu
- Natural Resources – Dave Baumgartner, at (509) 335-2964, or email baumgartner@wsu.edu
WSU Extension also supports several centers that concentrate education and research on specific topics. These centers are as wide-ranging as the programs offered by WSU Extension. Information on the specific centers can be accessed through their individual websites. These include the Research and Education Centers, the Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources, WSU Learning Centers, the Center to Bridge the Digital Divide, the William D. Ruckelshaus Center, the Center for Bioproducts & Bioenergy, and the Center for Environmental Research, Education and Outreach (CEREO). back to top
What if I need extra or special training?
Please evaluate your skills and plan your professional development accordingly. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own professional development. A developed professional development plan can assist in building a successful long-term career. WSU Extension offers many opportunities for training.
Please take the time to read the professional development emails and e-newsletter as it arrives and regularly review this website. There are also many opportunities through various conferences and workshops offered throughout Washington State University and the WSU Extension system. Additionally you can request special training from your district director or department chair. back to top
What are the acronyms used in WSU Extension?
Sometimes the language of our organization can be confusing. If you're trying to decipher the acronyms used by Washington State University Extension, try this helpful web page, which can also be accessed from our staff resources page.
Where does Washington State University Extension fit in the Washington State University organization?
You are a part of the Washington State University system, which means you are connected to programs on all Washington State University campuses (Spokane, Vancouver and the Tri-Cities). WSU also is in each county, has Research and Extension Centers and Learning Centers. Please access the map of WSU Extension sites to locate all WSU entities in the state. back to top
More Questions?
To learn more about staff benefits, performance appraisal, penalty mail and myriad other things, go to the Washington State University Extension home page and look at the faculty and staff web link and the policies and procedures manual. The links there will help you answer your specific questions. back to top
Resource info:
Important Links for New Employees
New Employee Checklist (pdf)
Required Training:
On-line Sexual Harassment Training
Orientation:
WSU Extension and CAHNRS New Faculty and AP Orientation Presentations
Heading using the h3tag
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.