The New Student and Transition Programs (NSTP) office supports first-year and transfer students and their families as they transition into the Ithaca College community. The Orientation Assistant plays a crucial role within NSTP, working alongside professional and student staff members to assist with the development, coordination, and implementation of inclusive services and programs for Fall Orientation. The work environment is collaborative, engaging, supportive, and fun. You will serve as an integral part of the orientation team supervised directly by the Assistant Director of New Student and Transition Programs. The team will consist of a tiered student staff structure of roughly 50-60 Orientation Leaders (OLs), 6-10 Orientation Mentors (OMs), and 3-5 Student Engagement Assistants (SEAs), along with the NSTP professional staff.

　　You will gain invaluable transferable skills in the areas of event planning, student leader training, marketing and promotions, customer service, and program assessment. Ongoing training and support are provided to all NSTP staff members through office retreats, staff meetings, and supervision.

　　This is a temporary summer assignment from approximately the end of May through the end of August that includes on-campus housing.

　　IC Orientation Assistant Description:

　　Help plan and implement orientation events, including researching best practices and event ideas that are developmentally appropriate for new first-year and transfer students. Develop engaging programming ideas and plan event particulars within project teams.

　　Lead multiple project teams in areas such as summer communications, family webinars, affinity events, social/connection events, athlete orientation, etc

　　Serve as a liaison to campus partners in the orientation and/or OL training planning processes. Lead at least one Orientation Planning Committee working group with campus partners.

　　Collaborate with campus partners to develop community-building DEIB events for populations such as BIPOC, LGBTQ, international, and First Gen students, that are open and welcoming to all.

　　Assist in the supervision of student staff, with a strong focus on team building, personal and professional development, and project completion.

　　Assist in the creation and execution of comprehensive training programs for Orientation Mentors and Orientation Leaders. Create training materials and deliver interactive, high-impact training sessions to OMs and OLs from different backgrounds, perspectives, and experience levels during their weeklong training in August.

　　Work with the NSTP team to directly implement all aspects of the weeklong Fall Orientation program.

　　Conduct all work through a lens of maximizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging for all constituents.

　　Meet with professional staff regularly to brainstorm ideas and creatively address issues that arise throughout orientation.

　　Participate in a post-orientation reflection and review process.

　　Qualifications and Expectations:

　　We are seeking a genuine, flexible, dependable, and hardworking individual who can manage multiple tasks, effectively works on a team, communicates clearly, wants to facilitate student learning and development, brings a social justice lens to the educational experience, and has a sincere interest in assisting new students and their families as they transition to college.

　　Required:

　　Bachelor’s degree

　　Event planning experience

　　Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking

　　Ability to effectively work within and actively support a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment

　　Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail

　　Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, particularly during Fall Orientation in August

　　Preferred:

　　Graduate coursework in Student Affairs, Human Development, Education, Psychology, or a related field

　　Experience working for a new student orientation office

　　Experience customizing events for specific populations

　　Supervisory and/or leadership experience

　　Ability to motivate and energize others

　　Work Details:

　　Work hours:

　　30-37.5 hours per week from May 27 – August 2, then 37.5+ hours per week from August 5 - 30, 2024 (there may be some flexibility with these dates). Most work will be conducted Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

　　Time off during May-July must be approved by your supervisor, ideally at least two weeks in advance. August is considered a ‘vacation blackout’ period due to the high volume of work surrounding student training and orientation.

　　OL Training will take place August 12-16 and Fall Orientation will be August 19-25.

　　Compensation:

　　$16.00 per hour (overtime rate of $24.00 per hour)Additional Benefits:

　　Living on campus is a requirement of the position due to on-call responsibilities during Fall Orientation. As a result, this position will be provided with an on-campus apartment with a private kitchen, bathroom, and living space with parking, laundry, and Fitness Center access included. Meals will be covered during OL Training, Fall Orientation, and a few meetings throughout the summer.

　　Orientation Summary:

　　Ithaca College (IC) is a private, 4-year residential institution with a blend of liberal arts and professional programs. We facilitate the annual Fall Orientation program for incoming students and their families, with occasional summer webinars for students and families. Our Fall Orientation model provides nearly a week’s worth of educational and social programming to help new students and their families connect with and prepare for their journeys at IC. Our comprehensive orientation program assists new students as they navigate this significant transition in intentional ways, including:

　　Facilitating opportunities to meet new friends and connect with faculty and staff

　　Sharing all the exciting opportunities that IC and our community has to offer

　　Focusing on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives

　　Connecting students with their academic programs and prepare for their first semester at IC

　　Helping students adjust to college life, get acquainted with new surroundings, and engage with new experiences

　　Institution Location:

　　Located in beautiful upstate New York, Ithaca College overlooks the picturesque Cayuga Lake, the largest in the Finger Lakes system. There are literally gorges and waterfalls right in the middle of town and a robust Farmer’s Market right on the edge of the lake. We can truly say, “Ithaca is Gorges”. (https://www.visitithaca.com/)/) The lively, rural town is about 45 minutes south of Syracuse, 30 minutes north of Binghamton and 4 hours for NYC, and attracts many summer visitors due to the live music scene, water and land recreation opportunities, wine tours, festivals, plays, and movies.

　　Application Instructions:

　　Interested applicants must apply online and attach a resume, cover letter, and list of three professional references. Questions about online applications should be directed to the Office of Human Resources at (607) 274-8000 or [email protected].

　　Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

　　Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

　　At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community of approximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefront of the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrative learning experience that makes students ready for the personal, professional, and global challenges of our age.

　　We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. We encourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty and staff, providing support and resources for them to grow in their fields and lead students to their own innovative ideas and achievements.

　　We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates with unique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive of individuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, and professional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is a vibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn, succeed, and excel.

　　When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of a number of core competencies. Prospective candidates must be adaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive, results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively, demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics, take initiative, value personal and professional development, and show that they will engage in the college.

　　Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakes region, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesque Cayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center. Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of a college community, the thriving and culturally diverse city of Ithaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places to live in the United States.

　　To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu