NSFP Orientation Chair (Student)

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Department:

Logistics & Operations

Time Type:

Part time

Job Description:

Summary:

Orientation Chairs (OCs) are responsible for the effective implementation of all New Student and Family Programs projects and goals. Orientation Chairs are responsible for welcoming and supporting incoming first-year students, transfer students, and their families. The Orientation Team (OTeam) is responsible for leading a variety of sessions and activities throughout the summer as well as during All-American Welcome at the beginning of the fall semester. This support continues with additional programming throughout the fall semester on an opt-in, as-needed basis.

Being an OC requires a significant commitment and dedication to the work of supporting students and families in their transition to AU. There are four vacant positions. Please see below a list of possible projects and responsibilities for the OC position. Please note that with the changing nature of the orientation program and growth of the New Student and Family Programs office, there may be more project opportunities and responsibilities.

AY 2025 Responsibilities:
During the 2024-2025 academic year, Orientation Chairs (OCs) will be asked to work on an as-needed basis. These responsibilities are listed below, along with the approximate hours for each expectation. All responsibilities will be accomplished in person.

Fall 2024 Semester:

• NSO Insights (optional, unpaid) - Wednesday, November 20 - 1.5 hours
  
  
• Orientation Chair Onboarding Meeting - Week of December 2 - 2-3 hours
  
  
• New Eagle Essentials webinar - Friday, December 6 - 3.5 hours
  
  

Spring 2025 Semester:

• Spring NSO Training Virtual: Friday, January 3 - 4 hours
  
  
• Spring NSO Training In Person: Wednesday, January 8 - 2 hours
  
  
• New Student Orientation - January 9-11 - 20 hours
  
  
• OL Info Sessions - 3-4 info sessions from January 20-February 5 - 30-45 minutes each
  
  
• OL Group Interviews (3x) - Week of February 10 - 2 hours each
  
  
• OL Individual Interviews - February 24-March 7; March 17-21
  
  

Summer 2025 Responsibilities:

• Assisting with planning and execution of NSO-related activities, including August Training, the preparation of training and NSO materials, working with campus partners, supporting logistics, etc.
  
  
• Contributing to evaluation and assessment: tracking attendance, participating in staff debrief, etc.
  
  
• Serving as team leader, point of contact, and team motivator for a group of 15 Orientation Leaders (OLs) before, during, and after NSO programming.
  
  
• Helping to plan and (co-) facilitating OL Training opportunities throughout the summer.
  
  
• Manage OTeam communications via email, social media, and other platforms.
  
  
• Manage OTeam staff bios and photos for website and other promotional outlets.
  
  
• Assist with professional staff and OTeam bonding opportunities.
  
  
• Cultivating an inclusive team environment that demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
  
• Hosting Eagle Service Hours to assist new students with questions related to class selection.
  
  
• Managing New Student and Family Programs social media accounts.
  
  
• Assisting with New Eagle Essentials webinars (logistics, student panels)
  
  
• Contributing to/participating in the creation of digital content for new students and families.
  
  
• Participating in and helping to facilitate pre-orientation, cohort-based programming on an opt-in basis (Saturday, August 16-Monday, August 18).
  
  
• Participating in the check-in process, the move-in process, and Family Orientation programming (Sunday, August 17 and Monday, August 18).
  
  
• Serving as an office assistant (staffing the front desk, answering the phone, responding to emails)
  
  
• Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  

August Training and New Student Orientation Responsibilities:

• Orientation Chairs play a critical role in supporting new student orientation events at the beginning of the academic year.
  
  
• During this time, OCs should expect to work full-time (35-40 hours/week) and cannot hold any other responsibilities that interfere with August Training and/or New Student Orientation—this includes both on-campus (ex., Resident Assistant) and off-campus (ex., internship) positions.
  
  

1.) August Training (August 11-15)

• Preparing materials and facilitating specific sessions during OL Training.
  
  
• Managing and confirming OL duties and assignments for NSO.
  
  
• Serve as point of contact and coordinator of daily orientation activities for OL small team.
  
  

2.) Pre-Orientation Programming (August 16-18)

• See above for details.
  
  

3.) New Student Orientation (August 19-22)

• Serving as a guide and point of contact for the OTeam throughout all NSO programming.
  
  
• Assisting with implementation of campus partner content sessions, DC Excursions, and more.
  
  
• Fostering a sense of belonging through active engagement with affinity programming, campus dialogues and cohort programming.
  
  

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• OCs will work on an as-needed basis throughout the fall 2024 and spring 2025 semesters (as described above).
  
  
• 10-15 hours/week in the summer months from May through mid-August; 35
  
  
• 40 hours/week during August Training and NSO; and then on an opt-in, as-needed basis throughout the remainder of the fall 2025 semester.
  
  

Salary Range:

• $18.50 per hour.
  
  

Required Education and Experience:

• Successfully served as part of the 2024 Orientation Team.
  
  
• Enrolled as an undergraduate student at American University having completed at least 30 credits.
  
  
• Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  
  
• Be in good judicial and academic standing with the university.
  
  
• Demonstrate a sincere interest in helping new students and their families feel welcomed and supported in their transition to American University.
  
  
• Be willing to support activities and programs related to diversity, inclusion, sexual consent and community standards. Training and guidance provided.
  
  
• Work well with others and communicate effectively.
  
  
• Demonstrate patience, flexibility, strong organizational skills, and a willingness to learn.
  
  
• Possess a strong sense of responsibility to manage multiple tasks with little supervision.
  
  
• Display public relation skills and maturity of judgment as an ambassador of AU.
  
  
• Must exhibit cultural competency and knowledge in topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  
  
• Be willing to accept a challenge and step out of your comfort zone.
  
  
• Work both independently and within a team environment.
  
  
• Troubleshoot and solve problems effectively and efficiently.
  
  
• Work effectively with diverse populations.
  
  
• Learn and use new and challenging computer programs.
  
  
• Demonstrate excellent written, verbal, organizational, time management, and interpersonal communication skills.
  
  
• Relate well to students, families, AU staff, and the public.
  
  
• Demonstrate leadership, initiative, motivation, professionalism, ingenuity, attention to detail, understanding, compassion, desire to succeed, and strong work ethic.
  
  
• Carry out other duties as assigned.
  
  
• Because of these commitments, OCs cannot be concurrently employed as a Residential Assistant (RA) or a Conference Staff while serving as an OC.
  
  

Additional Information:

• Orientation Chairs will continue to support students through their initial transition to life at American University.
  
  
• As such, there will be additional opportunities to assist with NSFP programming throughout the academic year.
  
  
• OCs who sign up for these opportunities will be compensated at the rate of $17.50/hour.
  
  
• These opportunities include, but are not limited to:Winter Welcome (January 12-18, 2025), District Adventures, Family Weekend (October 3-5, 2025), Thank Clawed It’s Wednesday.
  
  

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.
  
  
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
  
  
• American University is an E-Verify employer.
  
  
• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.
  
  

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

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