Faculty Search Waiver

Emory University policy requires that rigorous and comprehensive searches be conducted through open recruitment methods to fill all faculty and staff positions. On occasion, and under special circumstances, the search waiver may be used.

Search waivers (formerly administrative decisions) are to be used rarely and only under the following circumstances:

  • Time-sensitive need in the department (e.g., a faculty member becomes ill and is unable to perform his/her duties and a replacement is needed).
  • Interdepartmental promotion faculty waiver
  • Spousal hire with approved documentation
  • To fill a postdoctoral appointment or non-renewable visiting faculty appointment of one year or less.
  • Paid temporary part-time faculty or faculty equivalent

Online Form

When the determination is to follow the search waiver process, please use the Emory Recruitment System (ERS) online process:

  • Create a requisition in ERS and complete the information for the position to be filled in the online form.
  • Enter the designated candidate information on the form.

Submit the online form and route to internal approvers and to the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance.

  • DECRC will review the requisition and approve in ERS. If the reason(s) entered in the narrative are not sufficient, the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance will ask for verification.
  • DECRC will approve the requisition and forward a link for the candidate to formally apply.
  • Once the candidate hire forms are completed by the department, DECRC will move the candidate record to PeopleSoft and close the requisition.

Guidelines

Review these helpful suggestions to assist you through the search waiver process. If you are unsure of the "reason" you should select, contact the Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance for feedback and support.

Justifications cannot be based upon past practice (i.e., "we've always done it this way"). The justification must explain why no posting was placed for a vacancy and no active search was held.

"Time-sensitive need" is described as an immediate vacancy brought about by an unannounced (or unexpected) departure. There is an assumption that the department does not have time to post, interview, and vet candidates. This option should not be used when the department has failed to post or failed to employ procedures in the required recruitment process.

When selecting "interdepartmental promotion," provide information about the qualifications of the person selected (and the position vacancy status prior to the promotion). Departments must address the following questions in their justification:

  • Was this a new position or a vacancy that was filled with the promotion?
  • Who else was considered for the promotion?
  • Were there other employees who were eligible but not considered? If so, why were they not considered?