Employer FAQs

Q. What does my role look like as a Supervisor/ Time Approver/ Payroll Processor?

A. Please review our page titled Roles & Responsibilities for details on each role!


Q. How many hours are students allowed to work on campus?

A. While it is recommended that students only work 20 hours per week (during the academic year), departments may allow their students to work up to 30 hours per week. International students may only work 20 hours/academic week due to federal regulations. All may work up to 40 hours per week in the summer. More details can be found on our page ‘Work Hour Limits‘.


Q. What paperwork is required when I hire a student?

A.The Student Employment Authorization Form must be filled out via e-Hire by the payroll processor. For more information on how to complete an e-Authorization please visit this page here.

If the student has not worked on-campus during the past 12 months, they must complete additional employment paperwork (I9) at the Office of Student Employment in Wingate Hall. Once their e-Authorization has been processed by payroll then they will obtain access to Employee self-service. This is where they will complete the first portion of the I-9 electronically under the ‘Personal Details’ Tile. Once the first portion is completed, the student then comes to our office with their required documents so that our office can verify and complete the second portion of the I-9.


Q. What are these spaces for account numbers on the Student Authorization Form?

A. The account numbers we ask for on the Student Authorization Form correspond to the accounts used to pay students. The way the system is currently configured, we need both the MaineStreet numbers (Chartfield Combination), the 10-digit Department Accounting ID (the old FAST number) and the Dynamic Group in order to pay your students appropriately. This information can typically be provided by a Payroll Processor or Administrator for your department.


Q. How do I determine a student’s wage?

A. A student’s pay rate is determined by their Job Title and experience. Using the Job Classification List, choose the appropriate Job Title and the corresponding Pay Level. You will then refer to the Student Pay Scale to determine the pay rate. A newly hired student would likely begin at Level 1, Undergrad or Grad level pay. At the employer’s discretion, a student may begin working at a greater pay rate if the student has prior work experience or more qualifications for the Job Title. Any pay rates outside the provided levels will be sent back to you by our office. For permission for pay outside of the given scale, please email Mary Mahoney-O’Neil (maryellen.mahoneyoneil@maine.edu) and CC our office (student.employ@Maine.edu).


Q. How do I post a job on the Online Job Search CareerLink?

A. If you have a job you’d like to post and you are entered in CareerLink as an Employer, you should have a Username and Password. You may Log-In from the Online Job Search tab under Employer Log-In. If you are not sure if you are in the system or would like to be added to CareerLink to be able to post jobs, please review the steps provided on this page.


Q. I’m having trouble with CareerLink, what should I do?

A. If you are still having trouble with Careerlink after you review this page for answers, please call the Office of Student Employment at (207) 581-1349 or email us at student.employ@maine.edu.


Q. How do I tell if my student has Federal Work-Study?

A. Students who receive Federal Work-Study funds can view their award on MaineStreet under the “Financial Aid Award” tab. You can have the student print this screen and provide this to you as proof of their Work-Study award. Additionally, if you have hired a student already, check your earnings report to see if the student has Federal Work-Study and how much of it they’ve already earned. You can only view the award in this manner if the student has already begun working for you.


Q. How do I increase a student employee’s pay?

A. Please complete an e-Change  via e-Hire which allows you to alter information for a pre-existing job for a student employee.


Have more questions? Please visit this page to view Payroll’s ‘Frequently Asked Payroll Questions’ webpage.