Program Assistant Student Training & Development

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Office of Orientation and First Year Programs welcomes and introduces new undergraduate students and their family members to the NIU community. We partner with areas across the university to deliver orientation programs for first year and transfer students that set up our new Huskies for a successful career at NIU.

We also support incoming students throughout their first year as an NIU Huskie. In addition to orientation, our office coordinates Week of Welcome (WOW) and support programs such as the First-Year Success Series.

Position Summary

The Program Assistant is responsible for assisting with the coordination of NIU’s Orientation programs, the recruitment, hiring and training of Orientation Leaders, and assisting with the Week of Welcome (WOW) and first year programming. The Program Assistant, along with the rest of the team, also assists with the day-to-day operations of the office. The Program Assistant reports to the Associate Director of Orientation and First Year Programs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for hiring, training, supervising, and supporting all undergraduate orientation student staff
• Interview and assess the needs of incoming students and hire undergraduate student staff who attend and lead the student orientation programming
• Schedule, assign, review and/or provide recommendations regarding student work within orientation and first year programs
• Assist with development and oversight of opportunities for undergraduate staff beyond the summer including supporting retention‑related efforts centrally and in the colleges

• Serve as a liaison to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to inform and learn to create leadership opportunities to support new student transition
• Partner with appropriate office staff to coordinate support before, during and after events, including but not limited to on‑site registration, communication, confirmation of university services and resources
• Develop materials and techniques for training program staff in such areas as academic and self‑efficacy, information literacy, financial literacy, physical and mental health and well‑being, Huskie pride, cultural competence, sense of belonging, engagement, and interpersonal relationships
• Along with Associate Director, manage day-to-day operations of the office including serving as a proxy when the Director is unavailable
• Assist with the submission of timely and informative reports regarding programmatic goals, trends, statistics, and direction
• Remain abreast of university policies and procedures and ensures that they are implemented accurately and in a manner that best support orientation, transition, and retention efforts.
• Assist with scheduling, assigning, reviewing and/or providing recommendations regarding professional and student support within Week of Welcome
• Assist with hiring, training, supervising, and supporting all volunteers for Week of Welcome.

• Collaborate with appropriate University partners to update marketing materials (printed, electronic, etc.) related to orientation and first year programming

• Assist with other details related to orientation and first year programs as needed
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

• Knowledge of general office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups
• Ability to organize and multi‑task
• Ability to supervise and…