2008 Orientation GRADUATE ASSISTANT n POSITION DESCRIPTION

 

The Dean of Students Office at the University of St. Thomas will be selecting one graduate student to serve as a Graduate Assistant for the 2008 summer Orientation and Registration (O&R) program. This position is responsible for assisting in the development and organization of a critical campus program for new students and their families. You will interact with a wide variety of groups and individuals, including new students, parents, faculty and staff. If selected, you will further develop your leadership, event and project planning and communication skills.

 

GENERAL DUTIES

§         Work and interact with students, parents, staff and faculty across the university.  To be effective, you will need to practice ethical standards and maintain a high level of professionalism, maturity and tact. 

§         Assist in the planning, organization and implementation of the summer orientation & registration programs.  To be effective, you will need to demonstrate exceptional event/project/time management skills, strong written communication skills, and the ability to think big while also attending to detail.

§         Assist in orientation team recruitment, selection, training, supervision and development.  To be effective, you will need to possess exceptional listening skills, the ability to give and receive positive and constructive feedback, and an understanding of group dynamics and student development.

§         Provide on-site trouble-shooting and problem solving during the actual programs.  To be effective, you need to be adept at both advocacy and diplomacy, to be able to think on your feet, and to manage the stress that accompanies long hours and challenging work.

§         Assist the Dean of Students Office with planning for Fall Welcome, transfer orientation programs, adult learner orientation programs, and “make-up”/fall orientation.

§         Additional responsibilities will be assigned based on skills and interest.

§         Amount of time spent on any given responsibility will vary, but in the past has looked something like this:

35% Program Development                       25% Training (Development & Actual)

10% Leader Recruitment & Selection       10% Professional Development

10% Event Management                             10% Publications and Post-Summer work

 

TIME COMMITMENT/COMPENSATION

§         The student chosen for this position will earn an hourly wage of $15.00 for approximately 20 hours per week during J-term and spring semester (up to $6000). During the summer, your compensation will be a $5000 stipend for completing 560 hours of work from May 27 – September 5.  This will include longer weeks from June 23 – July 30 when summer training and programs are in session, and shorter weeks in August. A small meal allowance will also be provided during the Orientation & Registration (O&R) dates in July, and you will receive some meals during training and O&R. You may also receive on-campus housing  in July.

§         The Graduate Intern will also have the opportunity to participate in the regional National Orientation Directors Association (NODA) conference in Chicago, Illinois, from April 11-13, 2008, all expenses paid.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

§         All candidates should be current UST graduate students in the Leadership in Student Affairs program. 

§         Required qualifications include: past experience in a student leadership position; strong organizational skills; exceptional communication skills; and experience working with diverse populations.

§         Preferred qualifications include: great attention to detail; ability to adapt to challenging situations; team-centered approach to work; strong creativity and problem-solving skills; understanding of group dynamics, student development, and cultural sensitivity; past experience with orientation or other event management and student supervision.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

§         Submit the attached application, a cover letter detailing your interest in the position (include what you hope to learn and what you could contribute) and a current résumé by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, November 19, 2007.

§         Those candidates who are selected for an interview will be contacted via their UST email by 4:30 p.m. on November 19. Interviews will be held November 27-29 and will consist of about an hour of traditional interview time with a team of staff members and a 30-minute written exercise.


2008 Orientation graduate ASSISTANT n Application

 

APPLICANT INFORMATION

 

NAME:                                                                                                                                                                                                   

 

PHONE#:                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

EMAIL ADDRESS:                                                                                                                                                                  

 

REFERENCE INFORMATION

Please identify two people who can speak to your experiences and abilities.

 

Name:                                                                                     Title:                                                             Phone:                             

 

Relationship to you:                                                           Email:                                                                                                    

 

Name:                                                                                     Title:                                                             Phone:                             

 

Relationship to you:                                                           Email:                                                                                                    

 

 

INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY

Please select all of the times that you could be available for a personal interview. We will email you to confirm a particular interview time after your completed application (this application form, resume, cover letter) is submitted, and no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 19.

 

Date

Time

Available?

Date

Time

Available?

Mon, Nov 26

11am-12:30 p.m.

 

Mon, Nov 26

12:30-2 p.m

 

Tues, Nov 27

1-2:30 p.m.

 

Tues, Nov 27

2:30-4 p.m.

 

Weds, Nov 28

2:30-4 p.m.

 

Weds, Nov 28

4-5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

In your cover letter, be sure to give specific examples of how you meet the preferred qualifications, what you hope to learn in this position and what you can uniquely contribute to our orientation leadership team.

 

Return this page with your résumé, cover letter and contact information for at least two professional references  by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on Monday, November 19 to:

Victoria Svoboda, Associate Dean of Students

vasvoboda@stthomas.edu

Rm 109 Murray-Herrick Campus Center (Mail #5041)