Orientation Leader (OL)

Summer 2024 OL applications are now closed. Please explore this webpage for future Orientation Leader opportunities.

Orientation Leaders are responsible for creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for approximately 6,900 new first-year students and nearly 2,000 new transfer students during New Student Orientation and Welcome Week. Both programs focus on providing a quality transitional experience for new students and their families. This transformational experience will allow for Orientation Leaders to further develop leadership skills and have a large impact on the incoming class’ experience at the University of Minnesota. 

For Orientation Leader inquiries, please contact Orientation & Transition Experiences at [email protected].

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Responsibilities

Reports to: Assistant Director, Orientation & Student Leadership

Position specific responsibilities:

  • Register and complete OUE 3311: Leadership Development for University Student Leaders which is a one-credit, B-Term course meeting from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. on Wednesdays from March 13 through April 24, 2024
  • Staff 30 Orientation sessions for first years (2-day) and transfers (1-day) dates which includes, but is not limited to:
    • Being a positive representative of the university throughout the entirety of Orientation programs
    • Engaging in an appropriate manner with new students and families for at least 8 hours during each Orientation day
    • Conducting campus and residence hall tours for new students and families, typically requiring walking/navigating across campus
    • Standing (accommodations provided as necessary) for long periods of time to greet and welcome new students and their families to campus
    • Transporting and organizing luggage during each Orientation session, typically requiring lifting luggage and utilizing a cart to bring luggage to the correct location(s). Orientation Leaders can expect to lift up to 25 pounds, with accommodations provided as necessary.
    • Staffing the Orientation Information Booth, which requires extensive knowledge on Orientation and campus in general (training will be provided)
    • Presenting to both large and small audiences of new students and families, requiring a comfortability with public speaking (training will be provided)
    • Facilitating small group activities, including ice breakers and discussions
    • Safely guiding new students and families to various locations throughout the day primarily outside in the elements
    • Supporting the logistics of the Orientation program including assembling student/family materials and program setups/tear down
    • Being able to follow and abide to a comprehensive schedule for Orientation programming
    • Accurately tracking attendance of Orientation events
    • Completing various tasks as needed, including but not limited to: delivering materials to campus partners, moving boxes, creating and organizing check-in materials, etc. Orientation Leaders can expect to lift up to 25 pounds, with accommodations provided as necessary
    • Conducting all tasks above with independence, autonomy, and trust
    • Other duties as assigned
  • Partake in the summer overnight retreat from May 15 - 18, 2024
  • Complete summer training from May 20 - May 31, 2024 approximately 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. daily Monday through Friday
  • Housing in a University of Minnesota residence hall provided from May 15 - July 20, 2024. Orientation Leaders are expected to live in the residence hall each day/night during programs, including Sunday nights.
  • Provide programmatic support to the Welcome Week Program, including training prior to Welcome Week and facilitating the entirety of Welcome Week from August 16 - September 2, 2024.

     

Position Qualifications

Position Qualifications: 

  • Cumulative GPA of 2.3 or higher to be maintained throughout employment and reviewed each semester of employment
  • Enrolled full time (13 credits) as a student through Fall 2024 semester
  • Not enrolled in classes past 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday nights during the Spring semester starting March 13, 2024
  • Not planning to study abroad before September 2, 2024 and will not graduate prior to December 2024
  • Must reside in the United States during term of employment 
  • Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Demonstrated awareness of self and others 
  • Can positively receive and utilize constructive feedback
  • Ability to think critically and be adaptable to situations 
  • Ability to work independently 

Preferred Position Qualifications: 

  • Prior presentation experience
  • Strong organizational, administrative, customer service, and leadership skills including the ability to effectively communicate
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while delivering high-quality work along a specific set of deadlines
  • Ability to communicate effectively within a team and with supervisors 
  • Self-motivated and possesses a desire to work in a flexible team and focused atmosphere

Important Dates

Dates and times are subject to change

Spring 2024 

  • Orientation Leader application available from January 8 - January 28, 2024 (applications now closed)
  • FlipGrid Individual interviews due on Sunday, February 11, 2024
  • Group Interviews held on February 22 & February 24, 2024
  • Position offers made on February 26, 2024
  • First OUE3311 class on Wednesday, March 13 from 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
  • Weekly Wednesday classes for OUE3311 from March 13 - April 24 from 4 - 6 p.m..

May 2024 - July 2024 (32 - 38 hours/week paid)  

  • Orientation Leader Overnight Retreat from May 15 - 18, 2024
  • Orientation Leader summer training from May 20 - May 31, 2024 held from 9 - 5 p.m. daily
  • Orientation dates are June 3 - July 19, 2024; various shifts from 7 a.m. - 11 p.m.

August 2024 - September 2024 

  • Facilitate Orientations on August 19 - August 21, August 23, and August 26, 2024
  • Provide programmatic support to the Welcome Week Program, including training prior to Welcome Week and facilitating the entirety of Welcome Week from August 16 - September 2, 2024.

Compensation

Orientation Leaders will be paid an hourly wage of $15 and can anticipate to work between 30 - 40 hours a week during the summer. Hours for this job will vary at certain times of the year.

Room (approximately $1800) and board (approximately $950) in a campus residence hall from May 18 - July 20, 2024.

Meals (approximately $350) during Welcome Week training and program.

 

Application

The Orientation Leader application is now closed. Please check back here for future Orientation Leader opportunities.