Employing students can be a great option that provides valuable work experience to students as they complete their studies, as well as support to the departments in which they work. Many student positions are posted via Hire Mizzou Tigers.
The recommendations below can help you and your department determine appropriate pay for student employees. For information on who is eligible to be a student employee, visit HR-101 Employee Status.
Jobs across the university, including titles for students and temporary workers, are categorized into different groups, salary structures and pay grades and each position is assigned an individual job code number specific to that title.
For a comprehensive look at all job titles within the University of Missouri System, including academic, staff, union-eligible, health care and student positions, visit Job Code Detail.
A particular position's working title can be different than the assigned job code/PeopleSoft title for that position.
- Review student titles, including recommended working titles, leveling criteria and suggested pay ranges before creating a student position to be posted and/or filled.
- Choose most appropriate title by comparing the job description to Nature of Work statements for each title.
- Determine appropriate level (Level I or Level II) with consideration to the skills, knowledge, scope of work, decision making, training and supervision necessary for the role.
- Determine appropriate pay. Typically based on level of the position, the experience of the student employee, and departmental budget.
- Create the student position based on all criteria.
- It is recommended that a working title is added to create distinction between student roles and levels.
- See the "Suggested Working Titles" section; however, the list is not all-encompassing. Other working titles can be approved as long as they do not elevate the student role.
- Review policy for more information.
Examples
- Based on job description: Mostly entry-level clerical duties within a department with little to no experience or decision making required.
- PeopleSoft/Job Code Title: Student Assistant Clerical
- Working title: Financial Aid Office Assistant
- Suggested Pay Range: Level I
- Based on job description: Mostly experienced customer service skills and very little supervision required.
- PeopleSoft/Job Code Title: Student Assistant Paraprofessional (
- Working title: Welcome Center - Tour Guide)
- Suggested Pay Range: Level II
- Based on job description: More experienced employee with supervisory and/or training skills and little supervision required.
- PeopleSoft/Job Code Title: Student Assistant Supervisor
- Working title: Dining Services – Student Supervisor
- Suggested Pay Range: Level II
- Based on job description: More experienced employee with skills as fitness instructor and little supervision required.
- PeopleSoft/Job Code Title: Student Assistant Events, Recreation and Athletics
- Working title: Recreation Center – Fitness Instructor
- Suggested Pay Range: Level II
Student hourly rate is based on experience, work history, and skills needed to perform the job. Students should be paid similar wages for similar work.
Missouri’s minimum wage law does not apply to public employers. The university regularly pays students a minimum wage that is higher than the federal minimum, though the university is not required by law to do so.
| Characteristics | Level I | Level II |
|---|---|---|
| PeopleSoft Titles | Student assistant: clerical, crafts & service, research, teaching, events, recreation and athletics, information technology, and technical | Student assistant: paraprofessional, crafts and service, research, teaching, peer learning assistant, events, recreation and athletics, supervisor, technical, and information technology |
| Suggested Pay Ranges | $12.00* - $15.00 *COLUM Campus new minimum effective 06/23/2024 | $13.00 - $20.00 |
| Skills and Knowledge | No special skills, training or work experience required. Learns assigned tasks, understand and follows oral and written instructions and communicates effectively with others. | Work requires some training, specialized skills or related experience. |
| Scope of Work | Tasks require short periods (hours) of time to complete with interaction internal to the unit. | Tasks require a minimum amount of time (day(s)) to a period of a week to complete. |
| Decision Making Skills | No to little decision making involved with tasks. | Some decision making involved in tasks performed. |
| Training/Advice Given | Only a minimal amount of on-the-job training is required. | General or limited guidance or instruction given. |
| Examples of Tasks | Filing, reception, sorting/delivering mail, word processing, manual labor. | Clerical assistant, data entry operator, lab helper, manual labor, peer advisor, switchboard operator, IT user support. |
| Supervision Received | Frequent and direct supervision of work performed and outcomes. | General supervision. |
Many student positions are posted via Hire Mizzou Tigers. Student titles can be categorized into two levels. The level that suits a particular role depends on the degree of skill, supervision and work involved.
- Level I: Entry level
- Level II: Experienced and/or Trainer
| Job Code Detail Title | Suggested Working Titles |
|---|---|
| Peer Learning Assistant |
|
| Student Assistant Clerical |
|
| Student Assistant Paraprofessional |
|
| Student Assistant Crafts & Service |
|
| Student Assistant Events, Recreation and Athletics |
|
| Student Assistant Supervisor |
|
| Student Assistant Technical |
|
| Student Assistant Information Technology Restricted use; campus IT depts. only |
|
| Student Assistant Research |
|
| Student Assistant Teaching |
|
What if, after reading these guidelines, I am still not sure about the most appropriate title, level or pay?
Consult with the HR Partner associated with your College, School or Division.
Do I have to create a working title?
No, if the PeopleSoft student title makes it clear what the student’s role is, it is not necessary to create a working title. However, working titles are a great way to create distinction between levels and roles and can be a resume builder for students in a specific area of study or expertise.
Can I hire a student for the summer? Do they have to be enrolled?
Enrollment during summer is not required if the student was enrolled during the spring semester or is admitted or enrolled for the fall semester.
Can students work in summer after they graduate?
Yes, however, in most cases, they should be transferred to a part-time/temporary title and will no longer be FICA exempt. For more information on FICA exemption, please refer to HR Policy Manual HR-222 Payroll Deductions and HR-222 Payroll Deductions Q&As.
How many hours a week can a student work?
A: Per HR Policy Manual HR-204 Graduate and Undergraduate Student Titles, student employees should not be scheduled to work more than an average of 28 hours per week across all concurrent university jobs during the measurement period and should be in a student title as described in HR-204. Additional rules apply to international student hires. Refer to HR-101 Employee Status for more information and reach out to your designated HR Partner with any questions.
What is the criteria for use of student titles?
The individual must be a University of Missouri student. The individual's employment is not required to be in their field of study as an undergraduate. For more information, please refer to HR Policy Manual HR-204 Graduate and Undergraduate Student Titles.