Assistant Director for Orientation & Student Experience

Company Description:

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 for a singular purpose - meeting a public need to promote the public good. At our founding as the nation's first public normal school, that need was for comprehensively educated public school teachers who would, in turn, promote an educated citizenry. FSU continues to offer exceptional teacher education programs and, while we are proud of our roots as a teachers' college, we have grown far beyond them. Public need continues to evolve and FSU right along with it. Our students and alumni are making waves in the fashion industry, designing nutrition plans for professional athletes, writing for major media and news organizations, and working for Fortune 500 companies right here in Framingham. FSU is unapologetically a public institution offering accessible, affordable educational opportunities that integrate an academically challenging liberal arts education with workforce preparation programs, in a highly personalized teaching environment. Our programs have expanded but our purpose and commitment to public education for the public good remain steadfast.

At FSU, we are deeply committed to inclusive excellence and strive to promote a culture of antiracism, encouraging a challenging yet collaborative learning environment, and providing culturally relevant education. FSU is designated as an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities and also belongs to the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) Inclusive Excellence community, providing national leadership in science education and exploring strategies that will lead to more inclusive science education. We are honored that our commitment earned FSU six Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards from INSIGHT Into Diversity. We encourage applications from those who share our commitment to promoting a diverse, welcoming, and inclusive community.

FSU currently enrolls about 3,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate and professional students, offers 39 undergraduate majors, and enrolls 41% BIPOC students in our undergraduate programs. Ideally situated between Boston and Worcester, FSU and the surrounding area are steeped in history, achievement, and innovation and provide access to urban hotspots, verdant landscapes, natural and cultural amenities, and diverse communities.

Our founding motto, LIVE TO THE TRUTH, was said at the end of each class by beloved first principal, Cyrus Peirce, who sought to discover and teach "truth in theory and principle...truth in spirit and motive...truth in manner and form...truth intellectual and truth moral." Early leaders found this motto "speaks of sincerity of spirit...of intensity of effort, of resolution to succeed, of joy in achievement." LIVE TO THE TRUTH aptly reflects our past and our pledge for the future as it continues to guide our institution in practice and endeavor. If you share in this quest for truth and a commitment to living it fully, make the next chapter of your career the best chapter at Framingham State University.

Learn more about our career opportunities at www.framingham.edu/careers.

Job Description:

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

The Assistant Director for Orientation & Student Experience works as a member of the Center for Student Experience and Career Development. The Assistant Director coordinates the University's Orientation programs for all new first-year and transfer students, coordinates specific programs for new students, coordinates programs for graduating students, and supports various student organizations.

UPERVISION EXERCISED:

Direct supervision of Graduate Assistant, Black and Gold Orientation Student Leaders, Student Office Assistant.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Executive Director, Center for Student Experience and Career Development

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

New Student Orientation

• Coordination of New Student Orientation sessions taking place in January, and September. This includes coordinating Summer Support Days for incoming students, serving as coordinator of the Orientation Committee, as well as the design, preparation, implementation, assessment and evaluation of Orientation programs and all associated functions.
• Supervision and coordination of student Black and Gold Orientation Leaders who assist in the implementation of Orientation sessions. This includes hiring, training, evaluating, and oversight to ensure a successful Orientation program.
• Coordinate the recruitment process of the Black and Gold Orientation Leaders.
• Plan and implement comprehensive support services for transfer students through regular communications, gathering feedback and coordinating programs and events focused on the needs of transfer students, in addition to offering professional development opportunities for members of the university community.
• Coordinate and regularly update departmental websites and social media forums directed at incoming and current first-year and transfer students.
• Serve on planning committee to develop and implement Black and Gold Beginnings, a welcome week program designed to familiarize students with the campus prior to the start of classes.
• Serve on planning teams for Admissions recruiting events, including fall open houses and spring accepted student receptions.

Student Organizations and Experiences

• Serves as a resource person to student organizations in their event and budget planning needs.
• Serve as designated advisor to Student Government Association.
• Serve as Advisor to Tau Sigma transfer student honor society and Alpha Lambda Delta new student honor society.
• Serve as Advisor to Class officers, advise Senior Class and aid with Senior Week event planning.
• Aid in coordination of end of year programming for graduating students.

General Responsibilities

• Assist in the hiring of professional, classified and student employees within the Center for Student Experience and Career Development.
• Maintain records in order to constantly evaluate activities and to provide resource documents and data for year-end reports.
• Be familiar with the purchasing practices required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Use Banner, 25Live, and Presence for purchasing and event management.
• Serve on Student Affairs and University-wide standing committees.
• Attend University functions of general importance to the student body (Orientation, Commencement, Black & Gold Beginnings, Homecoming & Family Weekend, etc.)
• Stay current on trends in higher education and student affairs through involvement in professional organizations, in-service training, and continued education.
• Work evenings and weekend events regularly, providing general event management support to organizations and campus events.
• Serve as travel staff for student-led off-campus trips.
• Contribute efforts to move the Center for Student Experience and Career Development to be anti-racist, including evaluating and updating policies and procedures
• Designation as a Clery Campus Security Authority (CSA).
• Accountable for ensuring that affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity are integrally tied to all actions and decisions in areas of responsibility.
• Responsible for reporting to the Equal Opportunity Officer or Title IX Coordinator knowledge or receipt of reports of discrimination, discriminatory harassment, and retaliation from students or other members of the university community.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Majority of work hours take place in an office environment requiring use of computer and telephone.
• Working both indoors and outdoors for certain events and activities, includes standing for periods of time, bending, crouching and any other body movements associated with event support.
• Frequent evening and weekend hours as events require.
• Some travel with student groups on buses, other provided transportation or own transportation needed.
• Remote work is allowed when not needed for certain events, activities, meetings and low student presence time periods on campus.

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree, with three to four years professional experience.
• Experience in hiring, training and supervising employees.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's Degree in Higher Education Administration, Counseling, Student Personnel or related field, with graduate student experience.
• At least one year of professional experience planning orientations in a higher education setting

Additional Information:

This is a full-time, exempt, benefits-eligible position in the Association of Professional Administrators (APA) bargaining unit with an official title of Assistant Director. The salary range is $52,000-56,000.

It is the policy of Framingham State University that all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19 before they begin employment. Proof of the COVID-19 vaccine is required of all individuals hired by FSU, to be verified after a verbal offer of employment has been accepted, and before employment begins. Prospective employees may submit a request for a medical or religious exemption to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement to Human Resources.

Framingham State University conducts criminal history and sexual offender record checks on recommended finalists prior to final employment for all positions.

Framingham State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

Members of underrepresented groups, minorities, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and all persons committed to diversity and inclusive excellence are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Instructions:

Candidates must apply online by submitting:

• Cover Letter,
• Resume/CV,
• Equity and Inclusion Statement*,
• Names and contact information for three (3) professional references.

*The Equity and Inclusion Statement is an opportunity for candidates to discuss professional skills, experience and/or willingness to engage in activities that would enhance the university's efforts to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community. Equity and inclusion statements will be considered as part of a transparent and comprehensive review of candidate application materials.

For full consideration, application materials must be received by March 31, 2023. However, applications may continue to be reviewed until the position is filled.

Framingham State University only accepts application materials through our online application system. We are unable to accept application materials through mail, email, fax, or hand delivery. If you experience technical issues with the online application process, please submit a helpdesk ticket.

Framingham State University understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance, please contact the Human Resources Office at 508-626-4530 or humanresources@framingham.edu.

PI203339441