As a member of the Alabama Community College System (ACCS), Athens State University (ASU) operates under the authority of the Alabama State Board of Education upon recommendations from the Chancellor, who serves as the chief executive officer of the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education.

State Board Policy requires ACCS institutions to fill vacancies according to the practices and procedures set forth in the Alabama College System Uniform Guidelines. Pursuant to these guidelines, hiring procedures and policies are defined in the ASU Employee Handbook, Parts 5.2.C and 6.3, and in the ASU Faculty Hiring Policy and the ASU Human Resources Personnel Policies. These published policies and procedures include the steps required in the process of filling a faculty or staff vacancy, such as budgetary approval, announcement of the vacancy, establishment of the search committee, steps in the interview process, and the final decision of employment made by the President.

The ASU Office of Human Resources is responsible for the oversight of all vacancy announcements and application materials.