Lead Orientation Executive Staff Position Description

Job Description

The Lead Orientation Executive Staff (L-OES) is an integral part of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success. L- OES is responsible for mentoring, role modeling, and assisting members of the Orientation Executive Staff (OES) at Michigan Tech. They will assist with hiring OES and the Orientation Team Leaders. The L-OES will work closely with the members of the OES team to train, and supervise 60-70 Orientation Team Leader (OTL) staff.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Orientation Executive Staff will share the following responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Assistant Director and OES to plan and implement all aspects of Fall Orientation and associated outreach activities (see individual descriptions below for details).
• Review Orientation feedback results; identify areas of success and growth, and make recommendations for program improvements.
• Serve on the selection committee for Wahtera Center Student Employees, reviewing applications, and assisting in the planning and delivery of information sessions, group process, individual interviews, and offer letters.
• Serve as a leader, role model, and co-supervisor to the Orientation Team Leaders.
• Assist in planning and delivering OTL Spring Training and Summer Training Modules on Canvas.
• Assist the Assistant Director with the planning and implementation of mid-year orientation.
• Work with the Assistant Director and OES to implement the new student check-in process.
• Answer the orientation@mtu.edu email account and provide office assistance as needed (answering phones, walk-in customer service, etc.)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

• A minimum of one year of experience as an Orientation Executive Staff or similar position is required.
• Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of appointment (Fall 2024 through Fall 2025)
• Maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average and be free (and remain free) of University disciplinary sanctions.
• Must have satisfactory academic progress towards their degree.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

• Demonstrated understanding of the purpose of Orientation and the desire to support new students’ transition to college.
• Positive attitude, strong motivation, high integrity, and ability to represent Michigan Tech professionally.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, role modeling, and the ability to hold peers accountable.
• Demonstrated ability to use good judgment when dealing with confidential, sensitive, or critical information.
• Ability to exercise good judgment, make informed decisions, and actively solve problems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without loss of quality or accuracy.
• Strong personal wellness, including the ability to effectively manage time and stress, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple and diverse constituencies (students, faculty, staff, etc.).
• Ability to seek, receive, and use feedback for the improvement of both oneself and orientation programs.
• Computer proficiency, including Google Applications (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Forms, etc.) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, etc.).
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition Programs or the Director of the Wahtera Center. 

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

• The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
• The position requires a valid driver’s license for van certification.
• The position often involves moving supplies (check-in packets, tee shirts, supplies, etc.) and setting up (moving tables and chairs) for events.
• The position involves a considerable amount of walking/travel across campus.

Required University Training

• Employee Safety Overview (online)
• Anti-harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training (online)
• FERPA (Canvas)
• Safe Place (Center for Diversity and Inclusion)
• MHFA (strongly encouraged)
• SAA Student Employee Training
• Van certification
• Other as assigned

References

2 professional letters of reference are required.

• At least one campus faculty or staff member.

Required Applicant Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Additional Position Description:

The Lead OES Coordinator will serve as the leader for the following responsibilities:

• Lead OES will attend all meetings with stakeholders (SLI, UMC, MUB, Homestead). To ensure that OES is providing information that is relevant to Orientation Week.
• The Lead OES and Assistant Director will have weekly one-on-ones with each OES member together so that they are both holding them to the same deadlines.
• They will make sure that OES is meeting deadlines, assisting any OES members who need help with meeting those deadlines.
• They will provide one team-building activity for the OES a month throughout the summer.
• They will collaborate with the Assistant Director to review the previous fall student and OTL feedback to ensure that we are meeting the needs and expectations of the incoming class.
• L-OES will take the lead on planning and executing the University Welcome. 
• L-OES will collaborate with the Training Coordinator to ensure that the fall meeting is planned, communicated, and all presenters are invited to attend before O-Week.
• Collaborate with the Assistant Director to manage the orientation timeline.
• L-OES will assist with the planning, preparation, and execution of Support Pack Orientation, Transfer Orientation, and Athletic Orientation.
• L-OES will collaborate with the Logistic Coordinator to ensure that all rooms are booked, set up, and ready for OTL Training Week, & O-Week. This includes but is not limited to Graduate Orientation, Athlete Orientation, Support Pack Orientation, OTL Staff Meeting Rooms, OTL Team Meeting Rooms, Advisor/Department Meeting Rooms, etc.
• L-OES will collaborate with the Communication Coordinator to coordinate video production, and photo opportunities throughout the Summer, and OTL training and O-Week
• L-OES will coordinate and provide staff flash cards for OES and the Assistant Director.

OES Expectations Contract

Orientation Executive Staff will:

1. Review Predecessor Report by January 6, 2025
2. Review Fall 2024 Orientation Feedback by January 31, 2025
3. Attend weekly check-in meetings with OES and professional staff. If you will be absent you must contact your supervisor beforehand.
4. Abide by the dress code while in the office or when meeting with orientation stakeholders. At times more casual dress is appropriate and this will be communicated to OES when this is allowed (moving equipment/supplies, participating in outdoor activities, etc)
5. Abide by expected work hours outlined in the job description. This includes remote work conducted outside the physical office
6. Abide by communication expectations with OES, OTLs, professional staff, and other orientation stakeholders.
   1. OES should choose one consistent form of communication that works for all OES, OTLs, and professional staff members (Discord, Google Workspace, etc)
   2. OES should respond to communication in a timely manner (24-48 hours during business days)
   3. OES will communicate in a professional manner with OES, OTLs, professional staff, and other orientation stakeholders
7. Abide by the chosen task-management system chosen by professional staff. This will outline due dates, who is responsible for specific tasks, and any templates needed.
   1. You are expected to adhere to the deadlines set in the task management system
8. Attend professional development sessions selected by professional staff
   1. Office Etiquette & Structure of Student Affairs
   2. Conflict Management
   3. Addressing Burnout
   4. Any Student Affairs Student Training modules (ex: FERPA, Safety, etc)

Failure to abide by the above expectations will result in the following consequences:

If an OES member has multiple first offenses for not meeting multiple expectations the Assistant Director and Assistant Dean reserves the right to move forward with second, third, or fourth offense consequences. 

• First offense: Verbal discussion with supervisor (this may also include Lead OES when appropriate) to alert OES member about what expectation wasn’t met and that another offense would result in a written warning
• Second offense: Written warning emailed to OES member from the Assistant Director, CC’ing the Assistant Dean
• Third offense: Meeting with the Assistant Dean to discuss concerns, other consequences may be discussed during this meeting and at the discretion of the Assistant Dean
• Fourth offense: Removal from position

Contact us at (906) 487-3558 or success@mtu.edu with any questions.