Student Engagement and Residential Life Coordinator

26-Feb-2024

Faculty of Arts and Sciences

65034BR

Job Summary

The Student Engagement and Residential Life Coordinator is responsible for enhancing the experience of Harvard Summer School (HSS) students by aligning coordination across several facets of student life including: student welcome and arrivals, student orientation and family engagement, and residential operations.

Position Description

An inaugural role reporting to the Director of Student Engagement and Residential Life, the Coordinator will serve as the principal source of information for the planning and implementation of student arrivals, which requires working independently and in collaboration with other offices to ensure students’ successful transition to campus. This role will also provide critical coordination and support throughout the annual summer planning cycle for: student orientation events planning and implementation, the daily activities of housing and dining operations, and the recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of residential staff.

Student Welcome and Arrivals

• Develop and implement move-in day welcome events designed to engage students in the Harvard community from their first moments on campus.
• Support the development of a student-centered approach to pre-arrival communications that ensures clarity and accuracy across DCE departments and platforms.
• Design complex and varied operational plans for each of the student check-ins that occur during the 7-week summer session to ensure a smooth process for students moving in.
• Manage all administrative logistics associated with each check-in event, including site setup and flow, security, transportation, signage, furniture and equipment, volunteer assignments, food and water, etc.
• Coordinate the training of dozens of DCE staff volunteers who support check-in logistics. 
• Coordinate with DCE, FAS, and University partners including: Registrar’s Office, Student Financial Services, Accessibility Services, Enrollment Services, Harvard International Office, Facilities and Yard Operations, Securitas, Campus Services, HSS Programs, and others.

Student Orientation and Family Engagement

• Coordinate the creation of an HSS-wide student orientation model and, as directed, manage certain aspects of the project throughout the research, planning, implementation, and evaluation phases.
• Prepare, assist with the production of, and maintain asynchronous online orientation module content.
• Develop and execute virtual and on-campus student orientation events.
• Support the development of an HSS family engagement strategy and organize family engagement events.

Residential Operations and Services 

• Assist with managing email queues for student communications about housing, dining, and other residential matters.
• Support occupancy verification and key management efforts, and communicate with stakeholders to ensure timely compliance with related housing procedures.
• Coordinate with campus partners to manage in-term residential services (i.e., with Campus Services for shuttle and transportation; with Harvard University Dining Services for meal plan management and issue resolution).
• Organize all logistics related to housing move-in and move-out including: letters, keys, rosters, memos to residential staff, etc.

Residential Staff Hiring Process

• Assist with managing email queues for applicant communications regarding application process, application status, hiring and onboarding requirements, and more.
• Provide administrative support throughout the hiring cycle, including communicating with prospective applicants, preparing collateral materials for hiring committees, updating applicant tracker lists, organizing applicant packets and materials, scheduling interviews, and tracking the completion of onboarding requirements.
• Coordinate staff move-in processes including pre-arrival communications, check-in and key pickup, meals, and access to technology/platforms.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required 
• 3+ years of progressive student services experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Master’s degree in relevant field 
• Experience in higher education, particularly in event management, student affairs and/or residential life 
• Knowledge of the needs of adult learners, college-age students, and high school students alike 
• Demonstrated experience with program administration and large-scale event management 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills used for communicating accurately and professionally with a variety of constituents, including students and senior administrators 
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail 
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage competing priorities 
• Flexibility in accepting new assignments and ability to work independently with minimal supervision 
• Experience working with a diverse international public 
• Experience handling complex and confidential material 
• Proficiency with the following: Microsoft Suite, Google Suite, Salesforce (or similar CRM), Qualtrics, Zoom, website and media creation platforms, Canvas (or similar LMS)

Physical Requirements

Sitting using near vision use for reading and computer use for extended periods of time.  

Lifting (approximately 20 to 30 pounds), bending, and other physical exertion.

Working Conditions

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up-to-date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Additional Information

• We will not provide visa sponsorship for this position. 
• A cover letter is highly encouraged for consideration. 
• All formal offers will be made by FAS Human Resources.

Work Format Details

This position will be based in Cambridge, MA. Hybrid workplace models in place at DCE with a minimum of 2 days per week on campus during the fall and spring, and 5 days per week on campus during the summer. Additionally, some evenings and weekends may be required during summer. DCE may adjust these as necessary or appropriate.  

Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment. 

About Us

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) comprises four academic units serving about 30,000 domestic and international students annually, which allow Harvard to meet the learning needs of intellectually curious and highly motivated students from high school through retirement. Established in 1910, the Harvard Extension School (HES) offers access to Harvard faculty for a diverse community of adult learners, enrolling about 15,000 students. HES offers over 1,000 open enrollment courses — 85 percent of which are accessible online — and provides flexibility through noncredit, undergraduate, and graduate courses, including degrees, certificates, and a premedical program. The Harvard Summer School, founded in 1871, offers around 450 credit and noncredit courses both on the Harvard Campus and online, catering to 10,000 high school, college, and adult learners. Additionally, it offers more than 15 international study abroad programs, hosting up to 300 students each summer. Harvard DCE Professional & Executive Development delivers over 140 noncredit programs annually, reaching more than 3,600 participants through online platforms and its executive development center in Cambridge. The Harvard Institute for Learning in Retirement offers about 140 peer-taught courses to approximately 550 active members. 

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website (https://hr.harvard.edu/totalrewards ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

Job Function

Faculty & Student Services

Department Office Location

USA - MA - Cambridge

Job Code

404038 Coordinator II (FSS)

Work Format

Hybrid (partially on-site, partially remote)

Sub-Unit

Division of Continuing Education

Department

Division of Continuing Education

Union

55 - Hvd Union Cler & Tech Workers

Pre-Employment Screening

CORI, Criminal, Education, Identity

Schedule

Monday-Friday, 9-5pm

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging

Harvard University views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving inclusive excellence and fostering a campus culture where everyone can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the widest possible pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values.

EEO Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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