Updated 5/5/09

 

 

1. Does the hiring freeze apply to all state agencies and higher education institutions?
Yes. Effective February 18, 2009, a hiring freeze that applies to all state agencies and higher education and institutions is in effect. The hiring freeze also applies to the legislative branches, judicial branches, and separately elected state officials.

 

 

2. How long will the statewide hiring freeze be in effect?
Current legislation indicates the statewide hiring freeze is in effect from February 18, 2009 through the end of the biennium - June 30, 2009.

 

 

3. What if a recruitment is already in process at the time of the freeze? 
If an employer began a recruitment process before the hiring freeze and already extended an offer of employment and that offer was accepted prior to the effective date of the hiring freeze, the employer may choose to complete the process. 

 

 

4. Are all the recruitments posted at careers.wa.gov still available or not?
No. Employers are encouraged to review all job postings, to determine the criticality based on the exemption criteria and close postings that they no longer anticipate being able to fill due to the freeze. 

 

 

5. Who can I call to find out more details about a position for which I am being considered?
You need to contact the individual employer with the vacancy for specific questions about the status of their recruitment. 

 

 

6. What types of positions are affected by the hiring freeze?
The hiring freeze applies to all positions, including permanent, non-permanent, classified (includes Washington Management Service), and exempt.

 

 

7. Are there any positions that are automatically exempted from the hiring freeze?
Yes, employers do not need to request exemptions for positions that perform the following activities: 

• Direct custody, supervision, and patient care in corrections, juvenile rehabilitation, institutional care of veterans, the mentally ill, developmentally disabled, state hospitals, the special commitment center, and the School for the Blind and the School for the Deaf;
• Direct protective services to children and other vulnerable populations in the Department of Social and Health Services;
• Washington State Patrol investigative services and field enforcement;
• Hazardous materials response and emergency cleanup;
• Emergency public health and patient safety response and the public health laboratory;
• Military operations and emergency management within the military department;
• Firefighting;
• Enforcement officers in the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Liquor Control Board, the Gambling Commission, and the Department of Natural Resources;
• Park rangers at the Parks and Recreation Commission;
• Seasonal employment by natural resources agencies to the extent that employment levels do not exceed the prior fiscal year;
• Seasonal employment in the Department of Transportation maintenance programs to the extent that employment levels do not exceed the prior fiscal year;
• Employees hired on a seasonal basis by the Department of Agriculture for inspection and certification of agricultural products and for insect detection;
• Activities directly related to tax and fee collection, revenue generation, auditing, and recovery;
• In institutions of higher education, any positions directly related to academic programs, as well as positions not funded from state funds or tuition;
• Operations of the State Lottery and Liquor Control Board business enterprises;
• The unemployment insurance program of the Employment Security Department;
• Activities that are necessary to receive or maintain federal funds by the state;
• Positions filled by enrolled students at their own institutions as student workers;
• Campus police and security officers;
• Emergency management positions; and
• Positions related to student health care and counseling.

 

 

8. Is there a process for an employer to request an exemption to hire for a critical activity that is not directly stated above?
Yes. If an employer needs to fill critical positions that don't fall into one of the automatically exempt categories, only directors may request an exemption and seek approval to fill from the Office of Financial Management.

 

 

9. Are there going to be statewide layoffs?
Economic conditions indicate employers will be reviewing their business structure and hiring needs. Some are restructuring and conducting layoffs.