Assistant Director, New Student and Family Programs

General Summary: 

The Assistant Director for New Student and Family Programs in the Office of New Student and Family Programs (NSFP) will assist with the development, implementation, and assessment of programs, services, and initiatives that enhance student learning and the overall student experience, cultivating a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment for all students on a 24/7 campus. The Assistant Director  will support the orientation program for 4000 new, transfer, and international students; and will lead the programming and delivery of resources for parents and families.

Examples of Duties: 

• Manage the recruitment, selection, hiring process, training  of 25-35 orientation leaders and 3 program assistants;
• Supervise and evaluate Program Assistants and Orientation Leaders, provide in-direct supervision to summer interns;
• Develop and deliver a holistic student orientation leader training curriculum during the spring semester and prior to the beginning of summer orientation sessions;
• Support the development, planning, and implementation of family and parent programs including orientation sessions, semester events, newsletters & family weekend;
• Maintain Family Programs & New Student Programs websites/social media accounts and create communication strategy to engage parents, family members and students throughout the year;
• Create and deliver of transition programs for new students throughout the year to support student success and retention;
• Oversee the daily management and logistical support of the orientation program, including preparing materials for sessions, trouble-shooting online registration issues, working with campus partners, and serving as a general point of contact for students, families, and staff during orientation sessions;
• Plan and support international student orientation in conjunction with Academic Advising, ESL, and Global Programs;
• Support First-Generation programming and initiatives in collaboration with on-campus partners; serve on the campus First-Generation Forward Task Force.  Assist with the planning and implementation of the annual First-Generation Celebration Week in November;
• Serve as live-in lead staff member in the residence hall during summer orientation sessions;
• Develop and deliver of online orientation programs including virtual alternatives and pre/post orientation resources for all attendees;
• Oversee the assessment and evaluation of orientation, family programs and other services;
• Serve on relevant university and divisional committees such as Orientation Program Planning, Program Planning, Move-In Weekend, and First Year Experience. Represent the department at campus-wide events such as Open House, Welcome Day, Commencement, Move-In Weekend among others; serve on relevant campus committees and projects as needed;
• Manage social-media and digital platforms to engage with students and families including oversight for New Student and Family Programs website.
• Assist in the management of the NSFP Budget including, purchase orders, procurement card, records, student employee payroll and other budget areas as needed;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: 

Master’s Degree in higher education, college student personnel or a closely related field required, and a  minimum of one to three years of professional experience working with new student orientation, family orientation and programs, co- curricular programming, student leadership development/training or a closely related field, preferably in a higher education setting, is required. The incumbent may be required to work evening and weekend hours, as well as maintain a flexible schedule, as necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with student orientation registration software, residential orientation programs, first year experience programming, and working with first-generation students in a higher education setting is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities :

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and familiarity with other standard operating programs;
• Proficiency in web-based social media and surveying platforms;
• Knowledge of and ability to apply student development theories;
• Ability to advise individual students and student groups;
• Ability to build and maintain a positive rapport with students, faculty, and staff across the university;
• Ability to maintain existing programs and advance new initiatives that are informed by national trends in co-curricular programming;
• Ability to work with and serve diverse populations
• Ability to develop, implement and assess programs;
• Ability to work independently, as well as in a team setting;
• Ability to be flexible and shift priorities as needed and manage multiple, concurrent priorities at one time;
• Ability to manage multi-phase projects from inception to completion;
• Ability to think critically and to solve complex problems effectively and expediently;
• Ability to work under pressure in a fast paced, deadline driven environment;
• Ability to act with discretion and judgement as well as to maintain confidentiality
• Strong oral and written communication skills;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong intra- and inter-personal skills;
• Strong time management, organizational skills and attention to details;
• Strong commitment to customer service and student empowerment;

 

Application Instructions: 

Please apply online with your resume, cover letter and list of three professional references.

Review of candidates will begin following the application closing date. 

Only Internal candidates in the Professional Staff Bargaining Unit will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting.  All other candidates will be considered after that period. 

Salary Ranges for the appropriate Pay Grade can be found at the following link: 

Grade: 31

Salary Ranges

This is an exempt union position.

All official salary offers must be approved by Human Resources.

UMass Boston requires all employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and to confirm proof of their vaccination status. Exemptions from the vaccine requirement will be permitted only for qualifying religious or medical reasons. Regardless of vaccination status, you must wear a face covering in public indoor spaces on campus.