Navigating Student Employment Opportunities at East Carolina University

East Carolina University (ECU) is committed to workforce success and cultivating a culture of care for its employees, offering a challenging academic environment and an energetic campus life. As such, ECU provides a wide range of student employment opportunities designed to support academic success, provide meaningful work experience, and promote financial well-being. These positions are classified into several categories, each with specific requirements and responsibilities.

ECU's Commitment to Equal Opportunity

East Carolina University prohibits unlawful discrimination and harassment based on race/ethnicity, color, genetic information, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, political affiliation, and veteran status. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their protected veteran status or disability. East Carolina University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in any education program or activity as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Types of Student Employment

Student positions at ECU are classified into several categories, each with specific requirements and responsibilities.

Student Employment Positions

Student Employment positions are part-time or full-time, hourly campus jobs that are available to any undergraduate or graduate student that is currently registered at ECU and is in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.) Hourly pay rates will vary depending upon the department’s budget, the student’s experience level, and the required duties and responsibilities of the positions.

Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time job opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need, allowing these students to earn money to help pay for educational expenses. Eligibility is determined by the annual completion of the FAFSA, enrollment status, and satisfactory academic progress. Only students qualified by the Office of Student Financial Aid are eligible to participate in the program. Students are paid hourly, based on experience level. The hourly pay rates for FWS Positions range from $10.00-$14.00 per hour. Federal Work-Study employees may not work more than 25 hours per week in a FWS position. FWS students are paid twice a month and must submit time in PIRATEtime.

Read also: Affording ECU

Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA)

An Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) provides enrolled undergraduate students with hands-on research experience under the mentorship of a faculty or staff member. Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs) are appointed within an academic department or program. Non-Degree students are not eligible for Undergraduate Research Assistantships. Undergraduate Research Assistantships are paid twice a month through a salary. Award amounts vary. The number of hours worked per week will vary by department.

Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships

Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships are available to qualified, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students. The duties, hours, and pay for graduate assistants vary by program. Offers of assistantships are made directly by the department and are contingent upon the availability of funds. Please note that Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships are hired through the Graduate School.

Available Positions at ECU

ECU offers a wide array of student employment opportunities across various departments. Here's a glimpse into some of the positions that may be available:

Campus Living Positions:
- Summer Camp & Conference Student Managers: The student manager position is a part-time, hourly position during the summer with responsibilities that work with and support students and on-campus guests at East Carolina University.
- Conference Assistants: ECU Department of Campus Living is currently seeking several Conference Assistants.
- Facilities Assistants: These students work as part of a team, led and supervised by the Facilities Staff of Campus Living, conducting field inspections of Residence Hall rooms and common areas for needed repairs and the overall condition of the space.
- Facility Maintenance Technicians: Facility Maintenance Technicians will work as part of a team of students led and supervised by the Facilities Staff of Campus Living. The selected candidates will be conduct room inspections in the residence halls. There is a weekly work schedule of around 25 hours, depending on availability and the schedule of project(s).
- Neighborhood Service Office (NSO) Desk Representatives: Located on College Hill (Ballard East) and in the Central/West Neighborhood (West End Dining Hall), these representatives serve residential students. NSO Desk Representatives are expected to work 10-15 hours per week, including at least one weekend per month.
- Residential Desk Representative (RDR): The Residential Desk Representative (RDR) must be a full-time student (12- degree credit hours) or graduate student (9 -degree credit hours) at East Carolina University. The RDR is a part-time position with clerical responsibilities that work with and support the function of the Residence Life and Campus Living Conduct staffs.
Academic and Research Positions:
- Graduate Research Assistant (BSOM): The Graduate Research Assistant will contribute to institutional research addressing medical student success and/or faculty and staff development at the Brody School of Medicine.
- Graduate Hourly Research Assistant (Economics): This person would be responsible for pulling together an archive of professional development, professional writing, and presentation materials for students and postdocs on the CHEER grant. They will focus on professional development material for people going into academia or research as a profession.
- Laboratory Assistants (Biology): Laboratory Assistants for the ERL (Environmental Research Lab) assist with laboratory activities that are of a routine nature, such as glassware washing and solution preparation with little or no supervision.
Student Support Positions:
- Success Navigators (Pirate Academic Success Center): Students will work in the Connect for Success Call Center and make phone inquiries, and assist in connecting students with campus resources including Pirate Academic Success Center services. This is an in-person position with no ability to telework.
- Career Peers Front Desk Assistants (Career Services): Students hired for this position will work in two functions; student experience expert and outreach specialist.
- Marketing, Communication, and Career Support Intern (Career Services).
- Graduate Assistants (Student Financial Aid).
Technology and Creative Positions:
- Student Technology Center Lab Technicians (College of Business/Information and Technology Services): The Student Technology Center is a team of varied individuals pursuing a variety of career paths. Always searching for new and innovative ways to improve.
- Office Assistants (College of Fine Arts and Communication): Duties will include greeting guests, filing paperwork, scanning, preparing spreadsheets as assigned, organizing and inventorying supplies, performing general light cleaning, and helping to set up College events. Hours needed to work: hours are flexible and can be determined with your supervisor.
Recreation and Wellness Positions:
- Swim Instructors (Campus Recreation and Wellness).
- Certified Aquatic Lifeguards (Campus Recreation and Wellness).
- Well-Being Program Managers (Campus Recreation and Wellness): Campus Recreation and Wellness (CRW) strives to promote, organize, and administer structured, self-directed, educationally oriented and leadership development programs and services to enhance positive recreation and wellness lifestyles of the university community.
- Group Fitness Instructors/Personal Trainers (Campus Recreation and Wellness): Join our energetic team at Campus Recreation and Wellness (CRW) as a Group Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer!
Administrative Positions:
- Student Administrative Assistant (Office of Innovation and Engagement - National Security and Industry Initiatives): You will be expected to provide administrative and operational support for office functions supporting national security programs, research initiatives, and external partnerships.
- Office Assistant (1 Card System).
- Student Administrative Associates (College of Nursing Dean’s Office): This position plays a key role in supporting daily office operations.
Other Positions:
- Counselors (School of Theatre and Dance Summer Drama Camp): ECU School of Theatre and Dance is currently seeking several counselors for its 2026 Summer Drama Camp for ages 8-12 years old.
- Nancy W. Darden Distinguished Professorship in Early Childhood Education Assistant (Human Development and Family Science).

Key Policies and Procedures for Student Employees

Eligibility: Student Employment positions are part-time or full-time, hourly campus jobs that are available to any undergraduate or graduate student that is currently registered at ECU and is in good academic standing (minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.)
Background Checks: An ECU policy developed to help promote a safe learning and work environment for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. Background checks will be used to evaluate prospective or current employees for employment purposes and will not be used to discriminate on the basis of any of the Protected Classes as outlined in the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy.
I-9 Process: An ECU policy on the requirement of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 to only hire individuals who are legally eligible to work in the United States. To complete Section 2, you must present your original identification documents to the SEO.
Academic Success: It is important that ECU student employees remain successful both inside the classroom as well as in their student jobs.
Pay Periods: ECU pay periods run from the 1st - 15th and the 16th - last day of the month. Student employee paystubs will reflect time worked for the two weeks prior to when approved time is submitted. This means that as a student employee, you receive pay on the 15th and the last day of the month for work completed in the previous pay period. All work performed between the 1st and the 15th will be paid out via direct deposit on the last day of the month; and all work performed between the 16th and the last day of the month will be paid out on the 15th.
Time Reporting: Please note that hourly student employees are responsible for accurately reporting time worked in the timekeeping system.
Holiday/Closing Schedule: Student work schedules follow the holiday/closing schedule for the University. Student employees are not paid for University holidays or closings.
Adverse Weather Conditions: During adverse weather conditions, student employees are advised to contact their departmental supervisor to determine whether the University will be open or closed. If open, employees will need to discuss whether reporting to work is required and/or possible based on weather conditions.

Benefits of Student Employment

Student employment offers students career-enhancing opportunities, the ability to develop skills relevant in any career, and better preparation for the job market upon graduation. Student employees perform invaluable services with enthusiasm, dedication, and initiative. The ECU campus and the local community depend on the contributions of this reliable workforce for efficient operation.

Student Employee of the Year Award

During this special week, departmental supervisors are given the opportunity to nominate exemplary student employees as recipients of ECU’s Student Employee of the Year Award.

Read also: Your Guide to ETSU Academics

Finding Off-Campus Opportunities

Looking for off campus opportunities? ECU makes no representations or guarantees about positions listed from outside employers with the SEO. ECU is not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of off-campus employment. Further, ECU makes no representation or guarantees to employers regarding student integrity, safety, confidentiality, fitness or competence for employment, or other aspects of off-campus employment.

Funding Eligibility

To be eligible for funding, students should complete the FAFSA if you want the Federal Work-Study option. Assistantships and Self-Help jobs do not require a FAFSA on file. Graduate students are considered full-time if they are enrolled in 9 graduate credits or more. Graduate students are usually eligible for financial aid if they are enrolled in 5 credits or more. All students who are hired to work on campus must complete the 2-part I-9 process.

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