SOCIAL RECREATION - Asst Dir Student Activities

Job Classification

  Salaried Full-time (75-100%)

Position summary

The Assistant Director of Student Activities and Involvement delivers a full range of activities and programming designed to foster the building of a culture that inspires and creates a high level of undergraduate and graduate student engagement within the University community. These programs and services are provided within the context of the mission, values and practices of Andrews University and the Seventh-day Adventist Church and seek to provide, enriching, fun-filled experiences which encourage a balanced, healthy lifestyle as well as student development and leadership opportunities.

The Assistant Director works under the direction of the Dean for Student Life and the Assistant Vice President for Student Life. The Assistant Director performs responsibilities with the support from the Student Life Office Manager, student staff, Andrews University Student Association student leaders, and other student leaders and staff sponsors.

Qualifications summary

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have a Bachelor’s degree with experience in event and activity planning, preferably in a Seventh-day Adventist or other Christian college/university environment. Exceptional rapport with undergraduate students and young adults. An understanding of the value of student activities and of the motivations of students who participate in them. The ability to sustain communication with diverse groups, anticipate problems, reconcile conflicts, and maintain a strong philosophical base for student activities. This position requires regular weekend and evening work hours during the school year. The successful applicant will not only enjoy, but be energized by working a non-traditional work schedule.


Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Duties and responsibilities

The core essential responsibilities include directing and supporting the processes related to Student Activities (social events, etc.), New Student Orientation (events and student mentor groups), Clubs and Organizations, and serving as the Assistant Sponsor for the Andrews University Student Association. 

General Responsibilities

• Planning a comprehensive program of activities which recognizes and responds to the needs and interests of a diverse student population.


• Directing strategic plans for assessing needs, program participation and satisfaction, to insure continuous quality improvement.


• Directing communication and marketing efforts to promote well defined and informed Student Activities programming which encourages maximum participation.


• Working collaboratively with students, administrators, and university entities.


• Supervising the selection, training and supervision for student and contract workers in accordance with established policies.


• Collaborating with the Dean for Student Life to prepare budget and utilize resources within approved budget guidelines.


• Serving on Student Life and campus committees.


• Meeting a flexible work schedule that frequently includes frequent evenings and weekends.


• Maintaining professional growth through involvement in professional organizations, etc.

Student Activities

• Planning, implementing and providing supervision for weekly social recreation and student activity events of the Office of Student Activities and Involvement.


• Developing and managing a Student Activity leadership team which assists with the planning and implementation of student activities and social events.


• Supervising the reservations for the Campus Center that include the William Mutch Recreation Center, the main floor hallways and lobby areas, tubing hill and canoe rentals, within established supervision and Andrews University guidelines. 


• Directing and negotiation processes for contracts of professional entertainers, caterers and other entertainment vendors.

New Student Orientation and First 100 Days Transitions

Collaborates with the Assistant VP for Student Life in the planning and implementation of the New Student Orientation Conference, New Student Assemblies, as well as the First 100 days transition programming for new undergraduate students.  This includes:

• Identifying learning outcomes for the New Student Assemblies and all First 100 Days programming.


• Scheduling, programming and annual budgeting for Orientation Week.


• Programming for Mentoring Groups and First 100 Days programs, including but not limited to, New Student Assemblies, the 30-Day and 65-Day Check Ups and the First 100 Days Celebration


• Directing the recruiting, selection, training and oversight of the New Student Mentors and Mentoring Group Faculty/Staff Coaches to serve in the New Student Orientation and Conference throughout the First 100 day transition period.


• Oversees the planning of all Orientation catered events with Dining Services.


• Collaborates with various University entities, as needed, to deliver a seamless, well-orchestrated Orientation Week, ensuring that each activity is properly scheduled, facilities reserved, staffed and resourced. 


• Manages all expenditures for Orientation week and contract services, in established budget targets

Student Clubs and Organizations 

• Directs the support processes and supervision of 80+ student groups, clubs, and organizations in the development of student activities that reflect appropriate social, cultural, educational, and recreational activities that are consistent with established values of Andrews University.


• Serves as a resource person, liaison, and trouble-shooter for student groups, clubs, and organizations when the official organization’s sponsor is unavailable.


• Directs the processes and approval systems for new and established clubs and organizations to insure that events, programs, posters and marketing materials, facility usage etc. operate in accordance with established policies.


• Develops and implements the orientation processes for student club/organizations that includes the training and promotion of the Org Sync communication system.


• Directs and implements the annual club & organization fair for all registered clubs.


• Develops and maintains a synergistic relationship between the Office of Student Activities and Involvement and the AUSA and GSA.

Class Officers

• Serves as a resource person, liaison, and trouble-shooter for class officers when the official class sponsor is unavailable.


• Coordinates officer application process


• Facilitates class elections


• Ensures participation in class-focused events such as Almost Anything Goes


• Coordinates with senior class for graduation participation and bestowal of class gift

Andrews University Student Association

The Assistant Director serves as the Assistant Sponsor of the Andrews University Student Association.  The Assistant AUSA Sponsor supports the General Sponsor of the ASUA by serving as the primary Sponsor to whom the Social Activities and Student Services officers seek supervision and support in the planning and delivery of diverse and fun experiences for the undergraduate student body.

• Ensures the activities of the AUSA are in support of and consistent with the mission, values, and standards of Andrews University.


• Supervises, advises, and mentors the AUSA Vice President for Social Recreation and the Student Services officers to foster a rich variety of social activities, student services, with a focus on team building and leadership development.


• Supervises, advises, and mentors the AUSA officer who manages the William Mutch Recreation Center and maintains Rec Center scheduling year-round.


• Provides historical background for the transitions of student AUSA officers.


• Advises the AUSA officers regarding all event budget expenditures and accountability to ensure compliance with all established AUSA and Andrews University financial policies and procedures


• Ensures supervision at all AUSA events, by personal presence, and/or other approved person(s).


• Assists in the planning and attends (as able) AUSA officer preschool, transitional end year meetings.


• Attends the annual AIA (Adventist Intercollegiate Association Conference) and assist in the travel plans for the AUSA officers.

Supervisory responsibilities

The Assistant Director of Student Activities and Involvement supervises a team of student workers that ranges from 4 - 10 per semesters.

• Managing the schedule, including both office hours and events hours


• Identifies strengths of each student worker and delegates and assigns works as approriate


• Manages payroll for all student workers, including budget allocation

Qualifications

• A member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church as well as commitment to the mission of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.


• A commitment to the mission, values and aims of Andrews University and to the growth and whole-person development of students.


• A Bachelor’s degree (MA preferred), and 2-4 years of relevant experience with collegiate-age adults.


• When looking to fill this position, the University will look for an individual with a substantial number of the following characteristics:
  
  
  
  • Outstanding rapport with students
  
  
  • Playful/fun
  
  
  • Energetic and enthusiastic spirit
  
  
  • Balanced
  
  
  • Strong organizational and multi-task skills
  
  
  • Strong communication and marketing skills
  
  
  • Strong self-motivated work ethic           
  
  
  • Proficiency in event planning
  
  
  • Strong appreciation for diversity
  
  
  • Attention to detail
  
  
  • Ability to build relationships
  
  
  • Patient and orientated to service
  
  
  • Ability and desire to work a flexible work schedule
  
  
  • Leadership development, mentoring and team building skills
  
  
  
  

Must be a Seventh-day Adventist in good and regular standing.

Technical competencies

• Experience and comfort using Microsoft Office suite of programs including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and others


• Facility and expertise using various social media platforms

Interpersonal interactions

N/A

Physical demands

Approximately 25 hours per week are spent in a traditional office environment, with the other 15 hours per week actively involved managing and participating in events. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to sit; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. The position will also require at various times close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work environment

Approximately 25 hours per week are spent in a traditional office environment. In the course of managing and participating in events, some of them outdoors, the work environment will include exposure to local weather patterns, including rain, cold, wind, and sun. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; the employee is in an indoor environment for approximately 25 hours per week with the other 15 hours in managing and participating in events. In those situations the noise levels may, at times be, Loud noise (i.e. cheering students) and Very Loud Noise (i.e. music concerts, sporting events).