1. Forming and Charging the Search Committee

2. Forming and Charging the Search Committee
Overview
Role of the Hiring Authority
Definitions
Composition of Search Committee
Charging a Search Committee
Charge Checklist Provided by Hiring Authority
Committee Chair Duties
Committee Considerations to Address
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

3. Role of the Hiring authority
Define the charge of the committee, selection or search or screening
Keep in mind, if the hiring authority is on the committee, the committee may experience a strained power differential.
It is critical to leave titles at the door.
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

4. Forming and Charging the Search Committee
Definitions
Search Committee
The search committee reviews applications, participates in the interviews and identifies hirable candidates from the finalists.
Screening Committee
When the candidate pool is large, a screening committee is sometimes used. The screening committee reviews materials and identifies most qualified candidates for consideration.
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

5. Composition of Search Committee
5-7 members
Broadly representative
Reflects diversity in gender and race
Understands the role/position
Peers of the new hire
In his/her reporting chain
Clients
Stakeholders
Consider larger community representation
Ensure committee members understand role and function of the vacant position
Ensure technical expertise of members to compare applicants
Diversity of committee members is important
Appoint someone who has supervised the vacant position
Acknowledge the time commitment necessary
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

6. Charging a Search Committee
Committees need to receive their charge from the hiring authority before they begin work.
For a successful search, committees must be appropriately charged with clarity of tasks, deadline, budget and kind of candidate that the hiring authority wants to attract (See charge checklist)
Committees do not make hiring decisions only recommendations to the hiring authority.
Provide ranked or unranked recommendations to hiring authority
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

7. Charge Checklist Provided by Hiring Authority
Official title
Position description and advertisement or position announcement
Preferred criteria for selection
Departmental goals
Institutional goals
Timeline
Policy for handling late or incomplete applications
How UHR will monitor the process
Budget
EEOC and AA requirements
Review diversity commitment and unit goals
Duties of the search chair and committee members
Hiring authority’s involvement
Preferred number of finalists and process of campus visit
Form desired for final recommendation
Single candidate
Ranked candidate
Narrative
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

8. Committee Chair Duties
Liaison between committee and the hiring authority and University Human Resources
Spokesperson of the search
Ensure charge is carried out
Call and chair meetings
Ensure that proper records and meeting minutes are kept
Correspond with semifinalists
Coordinate the efforts of all the committee members
Perform all duties of regular committee members
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

9. Committee Member Duties
Help to identify potential applicants
Attend all scheduled meetings
Review and screen applicants
Host candidates and make candidates feel welcome
Direct inquiries about the search to the Search Committee Chair
Maintain appropriate confidentiality about proceedings
Participate in the interview process
Check references
Other duties as assigned by chairperson
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

10. Committee Considerations to Address
Confidentiality
Conflict of interest (for more information contact University Human Resources)
Making the candidates feel welcome
Successfully transitioning the successful candidate
Forming and Charging the Search Committee

11. Recruitment and Advertising
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