Orientation Leader Selection Process Information

Orientation Leader Position Description

Position Overview
The Division of Student Affairs presents the Orientation Program to incoming students and their families each summer. The purpose of the program is to ease the transition from high school to college. The primary goal of Orientation is to help new students and their families feel comfortable and welcome within the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth community.  Each year, approximately 30 Orientation Leaders are chosen to assist with the program. The Orientation Team is essential to the implementation of the program.  The primary responsibility of an Orientation Leader (OL) is to assist with the facilitation of each Orientation session by leading new students and their families through the scheduled program of events.

Orientation Leaders help new students and their families make a positive transition to UMass Dartmouth and are some of the best informed students at UMass Dartmouth and will become a part of a close-knit, dynamic, and select group of student leaders.  Serving as facilitators, hosts, and resources for first-year students, transfer students and families, Orientation Leaders are an integral part of the Orientation program.  The Orientation Leader position affords individuals an opportunity to improve their self-confidence, communication skills, and leadership abilities. 

Qualifications

• Currently and actively enrolled at UMass Dartmouth
• Good academic standing: maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade point average
• Good student conduct standing: no sanction of probation or higher that extends through the dates of appointment
• At least one year of undergraduate experience at UMass Dartmouth by the Spring/Summer of intended employment
• Ability to commit to a full-time position that does not conflict with other responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

  1.   Lead and advise groups of students/family members.
  2.   Provide information on academic policies, residential living and campus activities through individual and group meetings, campus
        tours and other activities.
  3.   Assist with the check-in, checkout and registration process, including early arrival check-in.
  4.   Assist in the facilitation of selected programs and presentations.
  5.   Compile information packets, folders, and/or bags for all attendees.
  6.   Contact students invited to Orientation that have not registered (as needed).
  7.   Participate in debrief meetings immediately after each Orientation session.
  8.   Attend all training sessions, meetings, meals, and presentations (as required).
  9.   Support the Orientation Team professional staff and Orientation Coordinators (OCs) as needed.
10.   Assist new students in successfully adjusting to the university by acquainting them with various campus resources while exhibiting
        assertive behavior and professional responsibility.
11.   Reside together in designated residence halls for the full length of employment as indicated.
12.   Other duties as assigned by the Orientation Leadership Team.

Compensation
There are a few extrinsic and many intrinsic forms of compensation for Orientation Leaders.  Orientation Leaders receive on-campus housing free of charge for the duration of their training and the Orientation program, meals during each Orientation program, and a stipend.

1^st Year Orientation Leader:     June Program - $1800   Fall Program - $ 750   January Program - $ 75
2^nd Year Orientation Leader:    June Program - $2000   Fall Program - $ 850   January Program - $ 75
3^rd Year Orientation Leader:    June Program - $2100    Fall Program - $ 900   January Program - $ 75

Aside from extrinsic compensation, OLs develop/refine many marketable skills frequently sought by employers:  organizational and time management skills, communication skills, decision‑making skills, leadership skills, conflict management skills, and crisis intervention skills.  OLs also develop self‑confidence, establish social networks, and realize that they can and have made a difference in the lives of many Corsairs.

2013 Orientation Leader Selection Process

Below is the tentative calendar for the 2013 Orientation Leader Selection Process.

All first year Orientation Leader candidates will be required to:
     -     Complete an online application
     -     Participate in Group Process
     -     Interview with members of the Orientation Leadership Team (please note this is only for those applicants who are moved forward
           in the process following Group Process)
   
All returning Orientation Leader candidates will be required to:
     -     Write and submit a letter of intent
     -     Complete an online application
     -     Interview with members of the Orientation Leadership Team (please note this is only for those applicants moved forward following
           a review of their application materials)

2013 Orientation Leader Selection Process Timeline

JANUARY
Week of 28^th  – Applications Available (online)

FEBRUARY
Monday, 25^th – Applications (including Letters of Intent for Returning OLs) due by 5:00PM

MARCH
Sunday, 3^rd – Group Process (First Time OLs ONLY)
Monday, 11^th – Friday, 15^th – OL Interviews
Monday, 25^th – Friday, 29^th – OL Interviews (if needed)

APRIL
Week of April 1st - Decisions e-mailed to UMass Dartmouth e-mail account
Monday, April 8th - Job offer and alternate status acceptance deadline

Orientation Leader Summer 2013 Calendar

Below is the tentative staff calendar for the Orientation 2013 programs.  We reserve the right to alter the schedule to accommodate the Orientation program and University calendar.

JUNE
Sunday, 2^nd – Orientation Leaders Move-In to Orientation Housing
Monday, 3^rd – Friday, 7^th – Staff Training
Thursday, 6^th – Early Summer Transfer Orientation
Saturday, 8^th – Sunday 9^th – Staff Training & Session Prep
Monday, 10^th & Tuesday, 11^th – Session 1
Thursday, 13^th & Friday, 14^th – Session 2
Monday, 17^th  & Tuesday, 18^th  – Session 3
Thursday, 20^th & Friday, 21^st – Session 4
Monday, 24^th & Tuesday, 25^th – Session 5 (and Final Staff Dinner)
Wednesday, 26^th – Orientation Leaders move out of Orientation Housing

AUGUST
Thursday, 22^nd  – Orientation Leaders Move-In
Thursday, 22^nd  – Saturday, 31^st – Orientation Leader Training
Monday, 26^th – Late Summer Orientation for Transfer and First Year students

SEPTEMBER
Sunday, September 1^st – New Student Move-In – September program responsibilities begin
Monday, September 2^nd (Labor Day) – September Orientation Day 1
Tuesday, September 3^rd – September Orientation Day 2 - Convocation
Wednesday, September 4^th – Fall 2013 Classes Begin