Assistant Director

Job Description:

Office of Student Engagement

Assistant Director, First-Year Experience

In our Jesuit tradition, the Office of Student Engagement seeks to underscore the development of the whole person and particularly assist students in their transition and exploration at Fairfield University. The Office of Student Engagement empowers students to work together to build community, lead ethically, and value differences. Through interdivisional collaborations, especially between Academic Affairs and Student Life, the Office of Student Engagement connects students to curricular and co-curricular experiences that empower civic responsibility and personal growth.

Purpose: The Assistant Director position is a 12-month position, including the summer months. The Assistant Director will coordinate and collaborate on initiatives relating to new student transition and retention, specifically the New Student Leader Team, First Year Experience Program, June Orientation, Fall Welcome, and the First-Year student programming. The Assistant Director will supervise one part-time Graduate Assistant, approximately 75 New Student Leaders and two student interns. This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Engagement for Transition and Retention.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Support the onboarding, transition, and development of all new-to-Fairfield full-time undergraduate students

• Develop a schedule of programs, both in and outside the classroom, aimed at enhancing the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of all first year and transfer students in collaboration with all members of the University community.
• Provide first year and transfer students with the information and tools necessary to succeed and thrive in a college environment.
• Collaborate with a wide range of campus partners, including the Office of the Provost, Office of Residence Life, Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, Office of the Dean of Students, Institutional Research, faculty, staff, and executive-level administrators, and serve as the primary advocate for the needs and interests of first-year students.
• Serve on University-wide committees aimed at improving the first-year student experience, including academic advising, retention, and persistence.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of June Orientation.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of Fall Welcome.
• Assist with the planning and implementation of Transfer Orientation (Fall) and New Student Orientation (Spring).
• Prepare documentation including annual reports, assessment projects, and other materials as required.

2. Oversee the development of the New Student Leader Team

• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and provide on-going development opportunities for approximately 75 New Student Leaders
• Recruit, select, train, supervise, and provide on-going development opportunities for 2 student interns.
• Coordinate the FYE Supervisory Group curriculum and meetings.
• Coordinate and develop monthly New Student Leader bonding activities in the fall semester
• Meet regularly with the Transition and Retention Team and individually as needed.
• Provide on-going assessment and development of New Student Leaders and interns throughout the year.
• Manage the New Student Leader budgets.

3. Coordinate the First-Year Experience (FYE) Program with assistance from Associate Director

• Develop co-curricular offerings connected to the transitional experiences of first-year and transfer students.
• Assess and revise the FYE curriculum and compliance requirements on an on-going basis.
• Recruit, select, train, and provide on-going development opportunities for the Community Associates.
• Coordinate and management the FYE placement and reconciliation processes.
• Coordinate and management the FYE grading and assessment processes.
• Support the Graduate Assistant in the organization and tracking of FYE events.
• Co-facilitate one or more sections of the FYE seminar with a student New Student Leader (NSL).

4. Provide programming opportunities for the first-year students

• Coordinate the Fairfield Experience Fair in the Fall Semester.
• Support the Graduate Assistant with FYE Events tracking and implementation
• Collaborate with campus and community partners to plan and implement health and wellness programs targeting the first-year class, including Fresh Check Day and RADical Health.
• Coordinate first-year to sophomore summer bridge programs for students at-risk of attrition.
• Collaborate with the Office of Residence Life, Office of Academic Support and Retention, and the Provost's Office in the coordination of the first-year Living and Learning Communities.
• Co-chair the STEM LLC Working Group.
• Create, develop, and implement spring semester events for first-year and transfer students.

5. Participate in the growth and development of the Department

• Support the planning and implementation of Student Engagement programs such as Welcome Week, Presidential Ball, Alumni and Family Weekend, Clam Jam, Senior Week, F@N late night events etc.
• Serve as a responsible committee representative as requested.
• Attend departmental meetings and inform staff regarding relevant information.
• Promote an image of efficiency and courtesy throughout the University community and ensure that it is consistent with the Office of Student Engagements mission.
• Remain cognizant of the University's mission and identity, the constant promotion of social justice, and importance of student voices
• Communicate effectively with supervisor concerning pertinent departmental and/or University matters

Other duties as assigned that are within the best interest of the department

*Disclaimer: The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Requirements: Master’s degree preferred, 3 to 5 years of full-time experience in the field. Applicants should have some background or interest in student affairs administration/college student personnel, psychology, education, or related areas. Demonstrated experience and interest in working on co- curriculum initiatives, leadership development, and program supervision, or related experiences are required. Additionally, applicants with strong understanding of first-year student transition, student training and development, organizational skills, ability to multi-task, and proven experience working with a diverse student population and professionals are desired.

Please submit a cover letter along with your resume.

Category:

Performs such other duties, responsibilities, and activities as required by supervisor and as departmental/University needs indicate. 

*Disclaimer

The above information indicates the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, activities, and/or qualifications required or expected of employees assigned to this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.

All offers of employment are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.

Fairfield University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Load a resume or CV first, then upload supporting documents including a cover letter at the bottom of the third page under the "My Experience" section where it says to upload a Resume/CV. You will be able to upload up to 5 other documents in this section. You will be unable to edit your application, so please have all documents available before applying.

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