Human Resources - Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use the online application process to apply for jobs at Pierce College? Can I submit a printed or written application form and cover letter (and other documents if required)?
You must use the online application process to apply for any job at Pierce. We do not accept hard copies of any application materials. If you need assistance with the application process, please contact the District Human Resources Office (telephone: 253-964-7342 or email at jobs@pierce.ctc.edu).

I don't have a computer at home. How can I access the Pierce College web site to apply for an open job?
You can access the online application system from any internet-connected computer. Computers are available at:

  • Public Library
  • Local WorkSource Center
  • Pierce College Fort Steilacoom (Lakewood) campus, Human Resources Kiosk. If you would like assistance in completing your online application using the computer kiosk, please call us at (253) 964-7342. We will schedule an appointment with you.
  • Remember - You will need a valid email address to apply for jobs through our online system.
Remember - You will need a valid email address to apply for jobs through our online system.

How can I receive a free email account?
There are various websites across the internet that will supply anyone with an email account (address) free of charge. Some of those email services are:

I don't have time to fill out the entire application form right now. Can I do it later?
Yes. You can start your application, close the program, then return to the Applicant Login page to finish whenever convenient for you. See response to question "I started my online application form, but did not have time to finish it "Do I need to start over?" for step-by-step instructions.

I'm having technical problems opening the online application - what do I do?
The online application system is best viewed in the following internet browsers: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, or Opera. Note: Netscape Navigator is NOT recommended for use with our online application system. If you continue to have problems, contact Human Resources at (253) 964-7342 or by email at jobs@pierce.ctc.edu.

How can I find out about current job openings at Pierce College?
Visit the Human Resources webpage for a listing of current open positions.

When are job openings posted?
We post job openings normally twice a month and at the end of the week.

What's the deadline to submit an employment application for open jobs?
It depends on the category or type of position.

  • For Classified and Hourly Positions - Application deadline is 5 p.m. on the published closing date as stated in the job announcement on our website. To be considered, you must complete the online application form, upload (electronically submit) required document(s) as listed in the job announcement, and "apply for the specific job opening" by 5 p.m. on the published closing date. Applications received after 5 p.m. on the published closing date will not be considered.
  • For Faculty and Exempt (professional & management) Positions - Normally the application deadline, however, to ensure your consideration we encourage you to apply for jobs by the Application Review Date as stated in the job announcement on our website. You may also contact the District Human Resources Office at 253-964-7342 or email us at jobs@pierce.ctc.edu to find out if applications are still being accepted.

As a NEW applicant, how do I apply for a job?
Follow these step-by-step instructions as a NEW applicant:

  1. Visit the Human Resources webpage.
  2. Open positions are listed within each job category, i.e., Exempt (professional & management positions), Faculty, Classified, and Hourly (part-time, non-permanent positions). Review open positions by clicking on the job category.
  3. Review the job announcement for the open position.
  4. Click the link "New Applicants" at the top of the page to begin the application process.
  5. Select the category of the position for which you wish to apply.
    a) Review the instructions listed in the introduction page (step one of the application form).
    b) Choose a password between 6 and 20 characters to start the application process.
  6. Follow each step of the online application, in order.
  7. Skip Step four (Paper Document Submittal) as you will have an opportunity to upload the required documents later in the process.
  8. At Step five, you will be given a Login ID and password. Click "Submit Your Application" button. Note: Keep your login ID and password on hand and secure to log into the application system at any time.
  9. You will then receive a prompt indicating your application form is now complete. You will be asked if you'd like to search and apply for a job now. Click "OK".
  10. At the Search Position screen, use the drop down menu or enter the job # to search for open positions.
  11. Click "View Position Details" for the position you wish to view and/or apply for.
  12. Click "Apply to this Position" for the specific open position you wish to apply for.
  13. You will receive immediate confirmation that "You have Successfully Applied to this Position". You will also receive an important message to click the "Home" tab for instructions on how to submit (upload) the required documents as stated in the job announcement.
  14. Follow the instructions for the "Final Step" contained in the "Home" page message.
Note: If you are not able to complete the entire online application at one time, you may close the program and your entries up to that point will be saved. See response below to question "I started my online application form, but did not have time to finish it. Do I need to start over?" for step-by-step instructions.

I started the online application form, but did not have time to finish it. Do I need to start over?
No. You would be considered a "CONTINUING" applicant. Follow these step-by-step instructions as a CONTINUING applicant to finish the application and then apply for specific jobs:

  1. Visit the Human Resources webpage.
  2. Click the link "Continuing Applicant" on the left side of the page.
  3. Click the link "To Continue or Complete Your Application, Applicants Click Here".
  4. Select the category of the position for the application you wish to finish.
  5. At step one, enter your personal information, i.e., First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and Password and Confirm Password, in order to retrieve information you previously entered and to finish the application process. Click button "Proceed to Next Step."
  6. Follow each step of the online application, in order.
  7. Skip Step four (Paper Document Submittal) as you will have an opportunity to upload the required documents later in the process.
  8. At Step five, you will be given a Login ID and password. Click "Submit Your Application" button. Note: Keep your login ID and password on hand and secure to log into the application system at any time.
  9. You will then receive a prompt indicating your application form is now complete. You will be asked if you'd like to search and apply for a job now. Click "OK".
  10. At the Search Position screen, use the drop down menu or enter the job # to search for open positions.
  11. Click "View Position Details" for the position you wish to view and/or apply for.
  12. Click "Apply to this Position" for the specific open position you wish to apply for.
  13. You will receive immediate confirmation that "You have Successfully Applied to this Position". You will also receive an important message to click the "Home" tab for instructions on how to submit (upload) the required documents as stated in the job announcement.
  14. Follow the instructions for the "Final Step" contained in the "Home" page message.

I already completed an online application form for a "Classified" position type and want to update my application information and/or apply for another open Classified job. How can I update my application information and apply for other specific open jobs?
You would be considered a "PREVIOUS" applicant. Follow these step-by-step instructions as a PREVIOUS applicant to update your application information and/or apply for open jobs:

  1. Visit the Human Resources webpage.
  2. Click the link "Previous Applicant" on the left side of the page.
  3. At the Login Page, enter your Login ID and Password and click (select) "Login" button.
  4. You will now be at the "Home" tab. The Home tab gives you detailed information and instructions, allow you to "unapply" for a job that you applied for, update your availability for employment, and lists position(s) you have applied for.
  5. Make your selection from the following tabs which are listed at the top of the screen based on what you want to do in the online system:
    • Update Application tab - Update or add additional information to your application form, such as contact (personal) information, schedule preference, work experience, academic experience (education), etc.
    • Applicant Tracking tab - Upload, update and track required documents received by Pierce College, such as a cover letter.
    • Position Search tab - Search and apply for job(s).

I already completed an online application form for a "Classified" position type and want to apply for an open job as an "Hourly" position type. How do I apply for the Hourly job?
You would be considered a NEW applicant, because it is in a different job category. Follow these step-by-step instructions as a NEW applicant.

To whom do I address my cover letter?
You may address your cover letter to Human Resources or to the Screening Committee. After initial review by Human Resources, screening committees will review application materials of those applicants that meet the required qualifications.

I applied for one job and another job opened that I am also interested in. Do I have to apply for the other job opening too?
Yes. You must apply for each job opening separately. If the open position is in a different job category (or position type), i.e., Exempt (professional & management), Faculty, Classified, Hourly (part-time, non-permanent), you must complete the application form and apply for the position as a NEW applicant (see NEW applicant instructions). If the open position is the same job category (position type), follow the instruction as a "Previous Applicant" to apply for the specific job (see PREVOUS applicant instructions).

Can I submit an online application but not apply for an open job?
Yes. You may submit your online application for any job category (or position type), however, you will not be considered for any open position within that job category until you have "applied for a specific job". When you are ready to apply for a job, please see instructions for a "Previous Applicant."

I'm a current employee and would like to apply for open position. Do I have to submit an online application?
Yes. Current employees must submit an online application and other required documents as indicated in the job announcement. If this is the first time you have applied online, see instructions for a "New Applicant."

I applied for a job at Pierce and wish to have my name removed from the applicant pool. What happens to my application? What must I do to remove my name from consideration for employment with Pierce College?
As a previous applicant, you have two options, "unapply" or "change your availability".

  1. Option One: Update Your Availability - Update your availability for employment by changing your status from "available" to "unavailable". Your records will be retained and you can change your status to "available" at any time. If you applied for positions in different job categories, you will need to login to each job category to update your availability.
  2. Option Two: Unapply - Before the application deadline, you may unapply or remove your application and any uploaded documents (such as a cover letter) from consideration for the position for which you applied. If you applied for positions in different job categories, you will need to login to each job category to unapply. Note: Once you unapply for a position and later either change your mind or find another position in the same job category that you wish to apply for, you will need to follow the process as a "Previous Applicant". Depending on the position you are applying for, you may need to re-submit the required documents, such as a cover letter.
Both of the above options are available by following these step-by-step instructions as a PREVIOUS applicant for a job that you previously applied for:
  1. Visit the Human Resources webpage.
  2. Click the link "Previous Applicant" on the left side of the page.
  3. At the Login Page, enter your Login ID and Password and click (select) "Login" button.
  4. You will now be at the "Home" tab, where you may change your availability status and then clicking "Change Status or you may unapply by clicking on the small arrow to remove your name from the applicant pool for that position.

How can I tell if you are still accepting applications for an open position?
Visit the Human Resources webpage and under "How to Apply" click on the appropriate "job category", i.e., exempt (professional & management), classified, faculty, hourly (part-time, non-permanent), to view the specific job announcement. We accept applications for classified and hourly positions until 5 p.m. on the published closing date as stated on the job announcement. Applications for Faculty and Exempt positions are accepted until the ensure consideration date. At the point we are no longer accepting applications, positions will be removed from our website.

How and when would I be notified if I am selected for an interview?
After the screening committee has completed the review of applications, applicants selected for interview will be contacted by email or telephone. Applicants selected for interview will normally be notified within 4 to 6 weeks of the published closing date or application review date.

I'm interviewing with Pierce College. Can I get reimbursement for my travel expenses?
For the majority of the jobs, we do not reimburse applicants for travel or other related expenses. For tenure-track faculty positions where candidates are invited to interview on campus, we offer a partial reimbursement within the continental United States.

Does the job I'm applying for include health benefits?
It may or may not. Check the specific job opening at the Human Resources webpage for benefit details. We comply with the state Health Care Authority rules and regulations for determining benefits eligibility.

What benefits does a standard benefits-eligible job receive?
For positions that are benefits-eligible, the employee benefits package is worth about 30% of your salary. As a state employee, a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Basic life and long-term disability insurance plans as well as vacation leave and holiday pay (for Exempt and Classified staff), sick leave; personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided.

How do I contact the Human Resources Office if I have other questions?
Call our office at 253-964-7342 or email us at jobs@pierce.ctc.edu.

Contact

Voice: (253) 964-7342
jobs@pierce.ctc.edu

Office Hours

M-F: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Summer Hours:
M-Th: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
F: 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.