The Placement Exchange Job Board

The Graduate Assistant reports to the Director of Residence Life but is a highly collaborative role with other Residence Life professional staff and Student Affairs offices. The successful candidate will join a dynamic staff dedicated to the development and well-being of all students.  The focus of the GA position is to provide support to the first-year residential experience, the Special Interest (SPINT)/Affinity program, and other needs related to on-campus living.

This position is generally a 20 hours per week position, including business hours with some evenings and weekends. The hours are flexible to work with the candidate’s class schedule each semester.  The preferred start date for this position is August 1 but is also flexible. It is a ten-month position (roughly August 1 – May 31) with ideally a two-year commitment.  

Specific Responsibilities:

Programming

• Facilitate and help organize the First-Six Weeks (“Cub Year”) first-year experience programs in the Fall semester following Ursinus’ co-curricular approach.
• Coordinate roommate mixers, single nights, and other residential collaborative spaces for first-year students to connect and help with housing initiatives.
• Oversee the development of the annual SPINT/Affinity Fest program in alignment with housing selection.
• Develop assessment initiatives to gauge growth and learning of SPINT/Affinity and first-year residents.
• Design and distribute marketing materials for the SPINT/Affinity and First-Six Weeks programs, including social media, newsletters, flyers etc.
• Manage budgetary spending for the SPINT/Affinity program.

Student Development

• Train and advise five undergraduate Program Leaders (PL) in the SPINT/Affinity program.
• Meet bi-weekly with PLs to discuss PL programmatic efforts and community needs.
• Provide support to first-year center RA staff and SPINT/Affinity RAs alongside respective Assistant Director (AD).
• Meet bi-weekly with RAs that require additional supervision/support (to be determined collaboratively with AD).

Crisis Management

• Assist in case management and crisis response on an as-needed basis, particularly within first-year student and SPINT/Affinity populations.
• Address and facilitate students through roommate concerns, roommate mediations, and requests for room/roommate changes in first-year student populations.

Additionally, the Graduate Assistant will:

• Meet on a weekly with supervisor(s).
• Attend various weekly departmental meetings when possible.
• Participate and assist in annual Residence Life events, including trainings, Pancake Study Break, openings and closings, resident advisor selection, housing selection, and more.
• Serve as a visible role model in the community by attending events and dining on campus.
• Research evidence-based practices and make recommendations for change or improvement as requested.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and current enrollment in a master’s program required. Enrollment in a program related to higher education or counseling strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated initiative to solve problems and create and implement new ideas or programs.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Commitment to student development, including the ability to research best practices and assess student learning.
• Ability to present to small and large groups.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Applications:

Interested candidates should apply here.  Once you create an applicant account, you will be prompted to upload your cover letter, resume, and a list with contact information for three references to the applicant database. 

Ursinus is an EO/AA employer.  Ursinus College does not discriminate on grounds of race, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, creed, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, disability, or other classification protected by applicable law in the administration of any of its educational programs or activities or with respect to employment.

About Ursinus College

Ursinus College is a highly selective, independent, co-educational, residential liberal arts college of approximately 1500 students located about 25 miles northwest of center city Philadelphia. With a diverse community of students, it is an expectation of all faculty to contribute to the inclusion, engagement, and success of all students.

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