Human Resources
Why Work at CWU?
There are lots of great perks to being an on campus student employee!
- Save money on gas with a short commute
- Supervisors are willing to work with your class schedule - students can work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the academic year, and up to 40 hours per week during academic breaks
- Network with professors and students from all over the world
- Gain career readiness skills you'll need post-graduation
- Supervisors understand you are a STUDENT FIRST!
Are you excited to join the CWU workforce on our Ellensburg campus, or perhaps even at our CWU Centers, but are not sure about what kinds of jobs are available for students? View the different job types below, and see what fits best for you!

Available Jobs
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Office Assistant/Support
What is an "office assistant"?
Office assistants at CWU play a crucial role in supporting the daily operations of various departments while providing valuable assistance to students, faculty, and staff. Here's a quick overview of what this job typically entails:
Customer Service and Communication
Office assistants are often the first point of contact for visitors. They greet and assist students, faculty, staff, and guests, ensuring everyone feels welcomed and informed. This includes answering questions, providing information about university resources, and directing visitors to the appropriate offices. They handle a multi-line phone system, taking messages and routing calls efficiently.Administrative Support
The role involves a variety of clerical duties such as data entry, maintaining accurate records, and managing files. They also monitor office supplies, ensuring that necessary materials are organized and replenished.General Office Tasks
Daily responsibilities may also involve running errands on campus, sorting and distributing mail, photocopying documents, scanning materials, and performing other general clerical tasks as assigned. They may also assist in maintaining the appearance of the office space.Learning Opportunities
Working as an office assistant provides students with practical experience that enhances their resumes. It allows them to develop essential skills such as communication, organization, and time management while building connections within the university community.Open Positions:
Job ID 6893
Job ID 6892
Job ID 6859
Job ID 6887
Job ID 6838
Job ID 6810
Job ID 6785

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Tutors/Peer Mentors
What is a "tutor" vs. a "peer mentor"?
Tutors and peer mentors at CWU play crucial roles in supporting student success, but their responsibilities differ in focus and approach.
Tutors at CWU primarily concentrate on academic support and content mastery. They assist students in understanding course material, develop effective study skills, and sometimes attend class sessions to stay aligned with course content. Tutors often work closely with instructors to strategize tutoring sessions and may provide support in specific subject areas like chemistry, writing, or math.
On the other hand, peer mentors at CWU take on a more holistic approach to student support. While they may offer some academic guidance, their role extends beyond coursework. Peer mentors focus on helping students navigate campus life, set personal and academic goals, and develop essential skills like time management and organization. They often work with specific groups of students, such as CAMP (College Assistance Migrant Program) participants, providing individualized support to a small group of mentees.
Both roles require strong communication skills and the ability to work with diverse student populations. However, tutors typically need expertise in specific subject areas, while peer mentors focus more on overall student development and integration into university life. Tutors and peer mentors alike contribute to maintaining a clean work environment, attend training sessions, and are expected to be responsive to communications. Both positions offer valuable experience for students looking to work on campus, enhancing their own skills while supporting their peers' success at CWU.
Open Positions:
Job ID 6744
Job ID 6741
Job ID 6740
Job ID 6736
Job ID 6732
Job ID 6668
Job ID 6637
Job ID 6629
Job ID 6573
Job ID 6582
Job ID 6583
Visit the Learning Commons! -
Rec Center
Working at the Rec Center
The Rec Center has a variety of jobs available for current students that like to stay active! Below is a quick look at some of the most common positions within the Rec Center.
Membership Attendants
Being a membership attendant at CWU is a great opportunity for students to gain customer service experience while supporting campus health and wellness. In this role, you'll help fellow students and the Ellensburg community by providing information on hours, memberships, and policies. Key responsibilities include monitoring facility access, managing equipment check-out, selling memberships, and handling cash transactions. You'll also assist with administrative tasks and maintain a clean environment.Collaboration is important, as you'll attend staff meetings and training sessions to stay updated on procedures. This position allows you to make a positive impact on the CWU community while building valuable skills in a fun, active setting!
Student Personal Trainer
The student personal trainer position at CWU is a great opportunity for students passionate about fitness and health. As a personal trainer, you'll help clients adopt healthier lifestyles by developing personalized exercise programs tailored to their individual needs and goals.Your key responsibilities will include:
- Creating Customized Workouts: Design exercise plans that fit each client's abilities and fitness aspirations.
- Tracking Progress: Keep accurate records of client sessions and monitor their progress over time.
- Providing Support and Motivation: Offer guidance and encouragement to help clients stay motivated and informed about health and fitness.
- Ensuring Safety: Maintain a safe workout environment for all clients.
- Communication: Regularly check your CWU email to stay in touch with clients and staff, and attend mandatory meetings.
This position not only allows you to gain valuable experience in the fitness industry but also helps you make a positive impact on the health and wellness of the CWU community. If you're looking to build your skills while helping others achieve their fitness goals, this could be the perfect job for you!
Intramural Official
The intramural official position at CWU is a fun and engaging opportunity for students who want to make a positive impact on the campus community through sports. As an intramural official, you’ll be responsible for officiating various sports contests, leagues, and tournaments, ensuring that games are played fairly and safely.Here’s what you can expect from the role:
- Officiate Games: You’ll call the shots during games, enforcing the rules and maintaining a professional attitude while ensuring everyone has a great time.
- Training and Meetings: Attend mandatory training sessions and staff meetings to stay informed about policies and procedures.
- Setup and Breakdown: Help set up before events and clean up afterward, making sure everything runs smoothly.
- Communication: Be ready to answer questions about the Intramural Sports Handbook and assist with scorekeeping and tracking statistics during contests.
If you love sports and want to be part of a vibrant campus community, this could be the perfect job for you!

Open Positions:
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Custodian/Maintenance Assistant
At Central Washington University (CWU), custodial and maintenance assistants play a vital role in keeping the campus clean and safe. These positions are perfect for students seeking flexible job opportunities while gaining valuable experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- General Cleaning: Assistants clean various areas, including offices, meeting rooms, restrooms, and public spaces, ensuring everything meets cleanliness standards.
- Equipment Operation: Students are trained to operate and maintain cleaning equipment like vacuums and motorized machines, along with proper usage of cleaning materials and chemicals.
- Routine Maintenance Support: Maintenance assistants help with minor repairs and upgrades to university buildings, contributing to overall campus upkeep.
- Maintenance Duties: This includes assisting skilled tradespeople in tasks such as carpentry, painting, plumbing, and electrical work. Maintenance assistants may also help with setup for special events and provide coverage for building security.
- Team Collaboration: Working under supervisors, custodial staff follow instructions to meet cleanliness standards and attend mandatory meetings to stay updated on policies.
- Customer Service Focus: These roles enhance the health and wellness of the CWU community by maintaining clean facilities that contribute to a positive campus experience.
Overall, this student employment opportunity offers not just a paycheck but also essential skills in teamwork and facility maintenance—valuable assets for any future career.
Open Positions:
Job ID 6460
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Dining Services and Catering Team Member
CWU's Dining Services offers exciting employment opportunities for students looking to gain valuable work experience while earning money on campus. As a Dining Services and Catering Team Member, you'll play a crucial role in keeping our campus dining operations running smoothly.
What You'll Do:
- Cashier Roles: Process transactions, handle meal plans and dining dollars, and maintain a clean service area. You'll learn essential customer service and financial skills.
- Dining Room Support: Keep eating areas clean and organized by sanitizing tables, restocking supplies, and ensuring a welcoming environment for diners.
- Dish Room Operations: Manage tray returns, operate dish machines, clean and organize kitchen equipment, and support the behind-the-scenes food service workflow.
- Kitchen Assistance: Help with food preparation, ingredient management, and maintaining clean work areas. You'll get hands-on experience in a professional kitchen setting.
- Café and Market Positions: Prepare and serve beverages and food items, interact with customers, manage inventory, and keep service areas clean and organized.
- Catering Support: Assist with event setup, food service, and cleanup for special campus gatherings and conferences.
This job offers more than just a paycheck—it's an opportunity to develop teamwork skills, learn about food service operations, and contribute to the CWU community. Whether you're working the cash register, preparing food, or keeping dining areas spotless, you'll gain valuable experience that looks great on any resume.Flexible schedules and a dynamic work environment make this an ideal job for students looking to balance work and studies.
Find the current posting under job ID 6861 on the Careers Page.

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Child Care Aide
CWU's Early Childhood Learning Center offers an exciting opportunity for students interested in working with children through its child care programs. As a Student Child Care Aide, you'll play a crucial role in supporting young learners and their teachers.
What You'll Do:
- Classroom Support: Work directly with children aged 1 month to 12 years, helping teachers maintain appropriate child-to-staff ratios in both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Child Care Assistance: Help children with daily routines, including meal times, bathroom needs, diaper changing, and clothing management. You'll provide compassionate and professional care for children of various ages.
- Environment Management: Maintain clean and safe classroom and outdoor play areas, ensuring a welcoming and organized space for children to learn and play.
- Flexible Responsibilities: Assist in various areas as needed, including kitchen support and reception duties. Shifts typically range from 2-3 hours daily.
This position is perfect for students interested in education, child development, or early childhood care. You'll gain valuable experience working with children, develop important professional skills, and contribute to a supportive learning environment.Ideal candidates are patient, responsible, and enjoy working with children. Daily attendance and reliability are key to success in this role.
Find the current posting under Job ID 6847 on the Careers Page.
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CWU Centers
CWU has eight University Centers across the state that offer nearby degree and certification programs, as well as online courses for students who cannot attend a traditional campus. Did you know our CWU Centers also hire student employees?
CWU Centers:
CWU Des Moines
CWU Lynnwood
CWU Pierce County
CWU Yakima
CWU Wenatchee
CWU Moses Lake
See Student Employees in Action!
Check out pictures from across campus of student employees at work!
What does the process look like?
Here's a brief overview of how the hiring process works for students.
Application
- Visit the Careers Page
- Click the Student Jobs button, you will be prompted to log in to MyCWU.
- alternatively, sign into MyCWU -> Student Tab -> Student Employment -> On-Campus
- On the Careers page in MyCWU, filter by 'Student' under the Job Family group on the left-hand side.
- Browse through jobs or use the search bar to find a job.
- Review the job requirements carefully and submit your application.
Interview
- An interview with the department will be set up by the supervisor.
Job Offer
- Receive a verbal job offer.
- Initiate the background check with HireRight, background screening vendor, through text or email.
- Accept electronic Job Offer in MyCWU. The instructions on how to accept will be sent via email.
Start work!
- Complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. This must be done by your third day of employment.
Ready to start applying for jobs?
Check out all of our on campus student jobs. If you have any questions, be sure to reach out to human.resources@cwu.edu
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