Job Description
Posting Details Applications will be accepted until midnight (Eastern Time Zone) on the 'Posting End Date' shown below.
Position Information
Job Title Graduate Assistant for Bobcat Student Orientation
Special Instructions to Applicants Initial review will begin January 2, 2024.
Posting Number 20161356STD
Job Description The Bobcat Student Orientation (BSO) Graduate Assistantship is a position in the Office of First Year and Student Transitions (FYrST) within University College at Ohio University. The FYrST Office houses Undergraduate Orientation Programs as well as Learning Community Programs. Together, we welcome, connect and support students in their transition(s) to and within OHIO University.
The mission of Undergraduate Orientation Programs is to support incoming and current students, as well as their families and guests, through seamless orientation and transition processes that include intentionally-designed programs, effective online resources, and consistent outreach. Our programs ensure all students
belong to the OHIO community,
succeed as a new student, and
own their unique experiences. To accomplish this mission, we engage all units and staff across the university in collaborative partnerships and develop informed student leaders who value diversity and inclusion, embody OHIO spirit, and demonstrate a genuine passion for helping their fellow Bobcats with a service-oriented mindset.
Our vision is to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students to thrive as we establish the foundation for the transformational OHIO experience focused on personalized success.
Our initiatives include pre- and post-orientation modules, in-person orientation programs, and virtual orientation programs for all new first-year and transfer students beginning at OHIO each semester. We also coordinate Relocate Advising Day for regional campus students moving to the Athens campus, College Credit Plus orientation, and family/guest programs for all orientations, as well as co-coordinate the efforts of Welcome Week.
Undergraduate Orientation Programs welcomes approximately 5,200 new students and 6,800 family members and guests to the Athens campus of Ohio University each year through BSO programs.
Position Description: BSO Graduate Assistants report to the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Orientation Programs in the Office of First-Year and Student Transitions. Graduate assistants take primary responsibility for specific areas of program implementation and administration, including program presentations and facilitation, outreach and communication to campus partners and program participants. They also serve as the primary supervisor for undergraduate Orientation Leaders (OLs) and support recruitment and selection of undergraduate student staff. GAs coordinate student leader training, including co-teaching orientation leader course, staff retreats/meetings, and ongoing professional development. Additional responsibilities in this position may include assessment, content/curriculum creation and management, and marketing through social media and websites.
Graduate staff in these roles can expect to gain knowledge of a broad range of university resources available to support students and an understanding of how those services work together to support students holistically. They will also learn how to support large-scale programs through program planning and implementation, campus partner collaborations, and interactions with program participants. Opportunities to grow and enhance skills in presentations and public speaking, staff development and supervision, and utilization of a variety of technology platforms will also be part of the work experience.
GAs in Undergraduate Orientation Programs are part of the leadership team serving our programs and are expected to perform tasks at a high caliber, while being supported in their growth and development as new professionals in our field. Additionally, we seek professionals who advance their own knowledge and understanding in the area of inclusive excellence, as we support students of all identities and intersections of identities on campus. We have a strong commitment to supporting an inclusive culture in the office. Please note this position is a Campus Security Authority which means that GAs are mandated reporters for any reports of sexual misconduct they receive.
Responsibilities 1. Orientation Program Administration
- Coordinate specific program elements for a variety of orientation programs and populations, such as resource fairs, family and guest sessions, check-in, and check-out.
- Outreach to and ongoing partnership with a variety of university stakeholders involved in the planning and implementation of all orientation programs.
- Manage email and phone communications to and from incoming students and guests.
- Coordinate accommodations for all program participants, including outreach before events and providing day-of-event support.
2. Hiring and Supervision
- Manage the work of 1-2 undergraduate Orientation Coordinator(s) each fall and spring semester as they support Orientation Leaders and coordinate specific programmatic elements in their position.
- Supervise and monitor hourly work for 20-25 orientation leaders in spring semester and 10-15 BSO Office Assistants in summer, as assigned.
- Coordinate assigned elements of recruitment, application, selection, and notification processes for new and returning student leaders, including Orientation Leaders and BSO Office Assistants.
3. Training and Teaching
- Co-teach and serve as instructor of record for UC 3690, a training course for orientation leaders, including lesson planning and grading/assessment.
- Develop training program and materials (staff handbooks, how-to guides, etc.) in alignment with outcomes for all peer leader positions.
- Coordinate staff retreat, senior staff meetings, and ongoing professional development activities for all student staff.
4. Additional Responsibilities
- Based on professional interests and office needs, support and manage additional administrative tasks and projects for BSO and the FYrST Office, such as:
- Sponsorships
- Assessment
- Pre- and post-modules
- Staff handbooks and training materials
- Welcome Week
- Social media management
- Admissions events
- Teaching UC 1900
Start Date This position begins August 1, paid hourly, until the week before fall classes start, when GA stipends begin.
Minimum Qualifications - Previous experience in leadership, engagement, student success programs or initiatives.
- Genuine desire to work with incoming students (first-year and transfer).
- Desire to advance a culture and climate that honors diversity and advocates for equity and social justice.
- Awareness of campus resources that support student success.
- Demonstrated ability to balance academics, employment, and extracurricular activities.
- Enrollment in an OHIO University Master's or Doctoral program. Tuition remission is currently only available to Patton College of Education and Scripps College of Communication students [this list may increase]. Thereafter maintaining good standing eligibility for graduate tuition remission.
- During the time of service, remain free of disciplinary status imposed through the University conduct system in addition to local, state, and federal laws.
Preferred Qualifications - Knowledge of the role and purpose of orientation programming in higher education.
- Elevated leadership role in a student leader position.
- Experience in advancing a culture and climate that honors diversity and advocates for equity and social justice.
- Enrollment in Patton College of Education Master's College Student Personnel program.
Department University College, Dean's Office
Pay Rate - Graduate assistantship salary is $13,500 for fall and spring academic semesters.
- Hourly work is available during academic breaks including Spring Break, Fall Break, Winter Break, and Summer Break. The current hourly rate is $16.84 and may increase annually, in parallel with the level of university staff pay rate increase.
- Graduate assistants in Undergraduate Orientation Programs are expected to work as a BSO intern in the summer following their first year of employment. This internship in mid-May through the end of June includes an additional stipend based on the hourly rate above and expected hours of work.
- Internal professional development opportunities exist in the FYrST Office and University College. External professional development opportunities, such as conference attendance, are also available.
Posting Open Date 10/01/2023
Posting End Date 03/01/2024
Job Category Student Hourly
Planning Unit University College
Work Schedule 20 hours per week during academic semesters, typically during standard business hours (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) but some nights and/or weekend hours during orientation programs and student leader trainings are expected
Campus Athens
Applicants may contact this person if they have questions about this position. Abbey Cliffel, cliffel@ohio.edu
Diversity Statement Ohio University is proud of its rich history, diverse campuses, international communities, and beautiful Appalachian settings. As part of our ongoing efforts to provide and support a transformative learning experience, we affirm our commitment to fostering a welcoming, respectful, diverse, and inclusive workforce and community. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information. Ohio University is an equal access/equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.
Employment Type Part-Time Term
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Job Tags
Hourly pay, Part time, Work experience placement, Summer work, Internship, Summer holiday, New year, Local area, Remote job, Relocation, Night shift, Weekend work,