Description
Under the direction of the Director of Student Engagement, the Coordinator for Student Activities coordinates and plans the student activities and events program by working with members of the student staff to provide a diverse schedule of entertaining and educational programs throughout the academic year. This position delivers and assesses programming that promotes student engagement and supports the mission of the Department of Student Life. A varied work schedule is required to include evening and weekend events and functions. As a member of the university community the position collaborates across the institution with various campus departments to deliver high quality activities and programs. This position oversees the Student Activities student staff team and the execution of traditional and daily activities.

Who We Are:
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) is one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system and is home to over 10,500 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students.
Colorado Springs  (pop. 400K+) is situated at the base of Pikes Peak, offers many recreational and cultural activities and was recently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top Best Places to Live in the U.S.

Job Duties:

Supervise the Student Activities student staff team in developing a well-rounded and comprehensive program of student life events, activities, and opportunities in and around campus that enhance the student experience at the University

Supervise a graduate assistant--supporting the overall development of their experience as a student staff member

Coordinate and manage programs related to large-scale, traditional events and functions on campus, including but not limited to Clyde’s Kickoff, Disorientation Week, Homecoming Weekend, Winter Welcome Week, Roar Daze, and other related co-sponsored events

Coordinate the planning and promotion of programs that support and enhance the experience of commuter students

Develop intentional, collaborative student programming partnerships with Residence Life and Housing such as the “Roaring Weekends” programming series

Identify academic and cultural collaborative event and program opportunities throughout campus in an effort to develop and promote the monthly “Platinum Series Events Calendar”

Identify and engage Student Life in co-sponsorship and networking partnerships with other campus departments that contribute to the overall student engagement experience

Collaborate with the Assistant Director of University Center Operations to develop an evening and weekend student union program series to include all programming in Clyde’s, the campus pub

Lead the Clyde’s Programming Team--communicating with other team members regarding requests from student clubs and organizations, as well as faculty and administrative departments seeking to use Clyde’s. Gather input from Clyde’s Programming Team before making decisions. Ensure timely and effective communication with all stakeholders

Lead annual Labor Day Programming experience that provides out-of-state, first- year students with an engagement opportunity during a four-day weekend, in order to foster a positive experience and strengthen out- of-state student retention

Ensure the timely and accurate preparation and reporting of payroll, travel requests, purchases, reconciliation of procurement card receipts, and other applicable accounting and finance functions

Provide timely updating and maintenance of the Student Activities calendar, event posts in Mountain Lion Connect, the Student Life engagement platform, social media, bulletin boards, permanent signage, and other campus advertising outlets

Ensure that campus activities represent goals and values of the campus by vetting major entertainment proposals to the Director of Student Engagement prior to each event. Schedule regular reflection meetings with the Director and other campus constituents shortly after each major entertainment event. Utilize feedback to continuously improve such events.

Utilize an intentional editing and revision process for print and marketing materials in advance of posting, publishing, and distributing—ensuring accuracy and professional presentation of all Student Life communications and promotions

Establish student learning outcomes for all traditional programs and events, while monitoring and assessing the impact of those outcomes on student development and lead all post-event assessments to ensure programs are meeting needs of students and meeting the goals and expectations of the department

Align programming with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards

Collaborate with the Director of Student Engagement on the annual Significant Speaker event

Provide intentional, ongoing programming for the UCCS non-traditional student population

Serve as the Student Life representative on the Campus Programming Team

Schedule and participate in weekly event scheduling and logistics meetings with Event Services

Actively participate in regularly scheduled Student Life meetings

Attend one-on-one meetings with the Director of Student Engagement

Per the request of the Director of Student Engagement, Senior Director of the University Center, and Senior Executive Director of Student Life and Assessment, represent Student Life at specific campus meetings as needed

Update leave requests for prior approval and submit timesheets per the UCCS standard

Ensure all event marketing and advertisements follow the branding standards as set by the CU system and the UCCS campus with fidelity

Participate in required staff development activities, as well as optional staff development opportunities as resources permit

As funding allows, actively participate in national associations (i.e. NACA, ACUI, NASPA, ACPA)

Serve on divisional and campus-wide committees as assigned

Other duties as assigned

Conduct on-going assessment/research

Ensure the continuation of an organization structure for the programming (activities) area at UCCS that is tailored to the needs of this student community, and their programming interests
• Provide the Director of Student Engagement with monthly reports tracking the following:

• Attendance numbers for all Student Life sponsored and co-sponsored events

• Total number of Student Life sponsored and co-sponsored events

Learning objective/outcome for each Student Life program and anecdotal notes on the success and/or areas for improvement

Utilize the CAS standards to develop learning outcomes that will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the programming organization and student employees. Remain current with the literature in the field of student affairs, specifically programming, to identify the latest trends in organization structures, and methods of programming to meet the needs and wants of a diverse population.

Conduct regular program assessment--polling students about their level of interest in programs designed to foster student involvement and participation. Collect, analyze, and report findings, while also using the data to drive key decision making regarding student programming across the campus.

Customer Service and Professionalism

Ensure excellent internal and external customer service 

• Maintain a professional, clean, and orderly working environment—creating the very best first impression.

• Effectively delegate the ongoing cleaning, organization, and upkeep of the Student Life office to graduate assistant and student employees

• Provide timely communication (e-mail, phone, social media, face-to-face, and meetings)

• Respond to inquiries /questions from both internal and external customers in a timely, efficient, and professional manner

• Maintain the highest standard of follow-through

• Establish an effective organizational system for tracking meeting notes, meeting dates and times, and action items 

• Attend campus meetings, as assigned by the Director of Student Engagement when he/she is unable to attend. Take detailed notes and provide these to the Director.

Staff Selection, Training, and Evaluation

Recruit, hire, schedule, supervise and evaluate members of the student activities team

Develop a learning outcomes-based program that standardizes and structures the training relationship by identifying skills students will learn while working in Student Life and tie it to the budget process

Job Competencies:

Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Knowledge of financial management and contracts

Ability to advise/mentor college students

Ability to multitask, work independently, coordinate detailed projects, and supervise students in a fast-paced working environment

Commitment to solution-focused decision making, teamwork, and positive student outcomes; ability to solve complex problems

Advanced communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate complex information and data to internal and external audiences, client groups, and all levels of management with varied background knowledge

Excellent problem-solving skills

Strong leadership and strategic management skills with demonstrated abilities to train, mentor/develop, and motivate student staff. Ability to adapt well to unexpected situations and reprioritize work according to changing circumstances

Understanding of underlying technological needs and requirements

Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, collegially, and cooperatively

Ability to take initiative and make decisions based on complex, concrete, and abstract variables in situations where limited standardization exists

Knowledge and demonstrated ability to apply student development theory into practice

Experience giving and receiving constructive feedback

Exceptional organizational skills

Passionate about college students and their development

Detail-oriented

Relational and approachable

Demonstrated experience working with diverse student populations and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion

Demonstrated ability to coordinate programs with other university departments and to assess program effectiveness

Experience with planning major university events such as concerts, speakers, and other significant entertainment programs

Experience planning and facilitating trainings, events, and public presentations

This position has been determined to be eligible for overtime (non-exempt) under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

What We Offer:

Salary Range: Generally starting at: $35,618 - 45,958. 

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid vacation and time off, and a tuition benefit. Information on university benefits programs, including eligibility, is located at http://www.cu.edu/employee-services. Total compensation goes beyond the value on the paycheck.  Please consider reviewing the Total Compensation page at Total Compensation Calculators | University of Colorado.

Tentative Search Timeline:

The potential dates for interviews with the search committee will be the week of 9/6/2021

The potential dates for interviews with the supervisor and appointing authority will be the week of 9/13/2021

The potential employee start date is 10/11/2021

The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is committed to providing a safe and productive learning, living and working community. To assist in achieving this goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history check. 

UCCS is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, the University of Colorado does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation or political philosophy in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the Office of Human Resources at (719) 255-3372.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the established essential functions and meet the physical and environment demands described satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the knowledge, skill, ability, physical and environmental conditions required of the employee on the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions, physical and environmental demands.

Applicants with disabilities: If you have a mental or physical impairment, which limits one of your major life activities (e.g. walking, hearing, seeing, speaking, breathing, or learning) and require special accommodations for testing or interviewing, it is your responsibility to notify the office scheduling the interview or test at least 3 working days before the interview or test date.  If you need special accommodations at the work site, you must notify the appointing authority or Human Resources.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that verification of employment eligibility be documented for all new employees by the end of the third day of work.

Qualifications
Minimum Requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in higher education in student affairs, education, communication, leadership, or applicable field from an accredited college or university

Two years total experience (including graduate work) that includes event planning and program coordination in the co-curricular arena

Preferred Requirements:

Master’s degree in student affairs, education, or applicable field from an accredited college or university

Large-scale event planning to include concerts, speaker events, and/or corporate events

Experience applying student development theory in a volunteer or employment setting

Two years total experience that includes both advising college students in the co-curricular arena that may include student programs, leadership, student services, or related

Physical Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit.  Employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. Tasks may involve looking at a computer screen continuously for long periods of time. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Job Category: Student Services
Primary Location: Colorado Springs
Schedule: Full-time
Posting Date: Jul 15, 2021
Unposting Date: Ongoing