Work at Vassar
Continually Striving to be the Best Employer in the Hudson Valley
It takes intentionality to build and maintain a workplace where every employee feels valued and they are truly part of something meaningful. Vassar's culture is centered around the people who live, work, and learn in our community and we are committed to the total-well-being of our employees.
Work with us!
Human Resources serves the college community by attracting and developing successful employees. We provide employment opportunities, benefits, professional development, supervisor resources and wellness programs. Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. We are an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer.
Work-Life Harmony
We recognize that a healthy work-life balance is essential for your well-being. Vassar offers a range of comprehensive benefits and programs to support your personal and professional needs.
Telework
Vassar has a telework policy for eligible employees. We value our employees' individual needs and offer flexibility to choose whether and when to be in the office. While a hybrid schedule is often the best fit, some enjoy our beautiful campus full-time.
Leaves
We know that your loved ones and your own personal health takes priority. Employees may take time off to bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, or assist loved ones when a family member is deployed on active military service. Employees may also take time off for a two-month maternity leave or to tend to their own qualifying health condition.
Community Breaks
Our employees have the opportunity to honor days significant to them and their communities. We observe Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, and Thanksgiving. As a way to prioritize longer, more restorative breaks for our employees, the College operates during five holidays* in order to extend Thanksgiving and winter breaks.
* Birthdays of Martin Luther King, Jr., Washington, and Lincoln, as well as, Indigenous Peoples Day, and Veterans Day
Generous Time-Off
We offer generous vacation time for benefit eligible employees. Vacation time is separate from sick, personal, and various paid and unpaid leave options. These vary depending on the employment category, and details can be found in handbooks or contracts.
On-Campus Childcare
Vassar has on-campus child care options for infants and toddlers through our Infant Toddler Center as well as an excellent nursery school program at Wimpfheimer Nursery School. Both programs offer discounted rates to employees.
Reaching Your Goals, Together
Competitive Wages
Vassar is dedicated to providing competitive compensation packages for its employees. We regularly participate in surveys that measure employee wages across our peer institutions and adjust our pay ranges accordingly. Union employees' salaries are negotiated and reflected in the collective bargaining agreements.
Talent Development
Vassar invests in a culture of lifelong learning so employees receive the support they need to grow and develop. We pay expenses for employees who need to travel to and participate in outside development opportunities. We offer continuous talent development sessions, both on-campus and virtual, designed to strengthen skills, confidence, and job satisfaction. Our unlimited, free access to self-paced training courses connects learners with peers and experts.
Retirement
When you are ready to stop working, you should be able to relax and enjoy your retirement. We offer robust retirement plans, generous contributions, and dedicated planners to guide you through the right decisions today.
Down Payment Assistance
For eligible administrators and faculty members, we sponsor down payment assistance to enable employees to buy a home in the Vassar College area. Eligible employees receive up to 10% of the purchase price at the same interest rate as the prevailing first-mortgage interest rate. Employees have up to 6 years to repay via pre-tax payroll deductions.
Consult the Administrator Handbook or Faculty Handbook for further details.
Tuition Remission
Vassar is committed to equitable educational access. We offer an array of competitive tuition benefits to eligible employees. Eligible employees or dependents are able to attend Vassar at no cost for courses if admitted, following the waiting period. Employees, their partners, and dependents are also able to audit classes as a “Special Student”. Dependents may be eligible to apply to receive a grant to cover up to 50% of their tuition to attend another college or university.
See benefit overviews for length of service and job classification eligibility.
Employee Training
Committed to being an inclusive workplace, Vassar encourages diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training for employees. We continue to have additional DEI offerings on our professional development calendar.
Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
At Vassar, we celebrate the richness of our diverse community and believe that our differences make us stronger. We believe that fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace is essential, and one way we achieve this is through our Employee Resource Groups. Whether you’re seeking personal growth, professional development, or a supportive community, ERGs are here to help you thrive at Vassar.
Our Unique Approach to Community
Vassar’s commitment to community engagement extends beyond our campus borders. We encourage our employees to get involved both within our community and the surrounding communities we are a part of.
Living in Poughkeepsie and the Hudson Valley
Vassar has been connected to the Poughkeepsie community since its founding. Area residents are welcome at many sporting and cultural events or just to stroll our lovely campus. The neighborhood directly surrounding Vassar is a village within the Town of Poughkeepsie called Arlington. It’s a vibrant, walkable town center and commercial district just steps from campus with many places to eat. The great Hudson Valley area of New York State is approximately 2 hours by train from New York City and is filled with history, natural beauty, and active farm and food communities. This area offers endless recreation and travel opportunities for those who live and work here.
Engaged Pluralism
Engaged Pluralism is a program dedicated to building communities of belonging, inclusion, and equity at the college. Employees and students are invited to join working groups who gather to share, learn, and most importantly, engage with one another to explore questions of belonging and thriving at Vassar.
We believe only through engaging each other can we create the communities we wish to live in.
Community Works
Through our unique Community Works campaign, we demonstrate our commitment to making a positive impact on the local community that has welcomed us for generations. Community Works is our annual giving campaign dedicated to supporting local non-profit organizations led directly by an employee committee. By participating in Community Works, we’re not just giving back; we’re actively shaping a brighter future for our local community, embodying Vassar’s spirit of generosity and collaboration.
Committed to Your Total Well-Being
Medical, Dental, Life, and Disability
Your needs, and those of your family are unique to you. That's why Vassar is committed to providing a comprehensive, competitive benefits program that you can customize to fit your personal situation.
Our program offers you and your family important health care coverage and financial security. You can take advantage of life insurance, disability coverage, savings plans and a range of voluntary benefits for extra financial protection and peace of mind.
Some of your benefits are paid in full by Vassar, and some are shared between you and Vassar. Other benefits are made available to you at reasonable group rates.
Telemedicine
Employees and their families have free telemedicine via phone, web, or app. This is available to all benefit-eligible employees, including those who have opted out of the College's medical benefits.
Employee Assistance Program
We have no-cost access to experts to help employees and their families during times of crisis. Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) allows free, short-term counseling, legal counsel, elder-care resources, and financial counseling.
Employee Wellness Program
The Wellness Program supports Vassar's commitment to employee total well-being. This program provides resources, events, workshops, cooking demonstrations, and group wellness challenges to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Life Fitness Classes
A comprehensive Life Fitness Program is available to the entire Vassar community and includes a variety of classes taught by certified instructors, such as yoga, pilates, non-contact boxing and more.
The information provided here is intended to give current and prospective employees a broad overview of the rich benefit offerings for employees and Vassar’s commitment to employee well-being. Current and prospective employees should be sure to clarify what benefits are available to their position and reach out to Human Resources for any clarification needed.