Zero-Dollar Appointments

Definitions

Zero-Dollar Job

This is an individual who works directly for UW (University of Wisconsin) Institution/System, who is already paid through payroll. They can be hired into a zero-dollar job, which is a temporary unpaid job record used to provide an official affiliation and identification with Extension without pay. 

Contingent Worker

A contingent worker is a non-paid worker who may be granted system access or services as appropriate, but they cannot be paid by the University through payroll and do not have an employee/employer relationship with the University. Extension will use contingent workers for non-UW affiliates who require temporary system/service access, such as county employees who support Extension.

Zero-Dollar appointment:

Zero-dollar appointments will either be zero-dollar jobs for individuals who already have a paid appointment with UW, or will be Contingent Workers. This temporary appointment is used to provide an official affiliation and identification with Extension without pay. This does not designate an employee/employer relationship. It is a designation that grants the individual access to similar technologies that an employee has (e.g., Office 365, NetID, Microsoft Suite licenses, virtual meeting platforms - See Extension IT Service Eligibility Matrix for specific services). The individual will have liability coverage. Trainings required per UW-Madison policy and criminal background checks are not required, but will be evaluated through this process. It is term-limited (one-year max) and needs to be revisited on an annual basis (before June 30^th of each year). Typical uses within Extension will be for county support staff (county employees that support the extension mission), AmeriCorps Members, a non-Extension employee with an appointment in another school/college/division/campus that directly contributes to Extension events and activities, or specific work projects others are assisting with. An appropriate business title should be given for the individual. 

Scope

This policy applies to any unit within Extension.

Policy Details

The process to evaluate and approve the use of a zero-dollar appointment is as follows:

1. When a program is evaluating the need for a volunteer or other individual and drafting a position description, under current procedures, they seek approval of the position description by Extension HR.
2. If a program needs the volunteer or other individual to access software, use a computer, have a wisc.edu account, or other atypical situation, they will bring this forward to Extension HR for discussion.
3. Extension HR will evaluate with the program what type of appointment (e.g., volunteer, zero-dollar appointment (contingent worker or zero-dollar job),) would work best for the situation.
4. Extension HR will consult with the Office of Digital Solutions, Policy Advisor, or other impacted programs if there are any other conditions of appointment that will be required or waived, such as specific trainings, a criminal background check, or the need for office space.
5. If after these consultations, it is determined that a zero-dollar appointment is the preferred appointment option, the program or area will seek approval from their Institute Directors or Assistant Dean.
   1. After approval by the Institute Director or Assistant Dean, Extension HR will seek final approval by Associate Dean of Policy, Operations, and Stakeholder Engagement.
6. Extension HR will inform the program or area of approval and draft the zero-dollar appointment letter. Extension HR will be responsible for retaining documentation.

Process

Request a Zero-Dollar Appointment 

Appointment Letter Templates

• County Support Staff
• Integrated Specialist 

Related UW–Madison or Extension Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources

IT Eligibility Service Matrix 

Policy Administration

Approval Authority

Associate Dean for Policy, Operation, and Stakeholder Engagement

Policy Manager

Division of Extension Human Resources Director

Policy Contact(s)