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Assistant Director for Student Activities (Multiple Positions)

Job Details

Job no: 518431
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Student Engagement AA
Union: PSU
Categories: Student Affairs & Services

About UMass Amherst

UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.

Job Summary

Under general supervision of the Senior Director of Student Organizational Development and Management, the Assistant Director of Student Activities oversees all aspects of routine student event planning and advising, including risk, travel, and budget management for Registered Student Organizations (RSO).

Essential Functions

  • Oversees all aspects of routine RSO event planning, assesses and approves events for required needs and planning parameters, determines venue requirements and arrange for space and services, ensures compliance with University policy, assesses risk and implements related risk management strategies, negotiates and prepares contracts, forwards high cost and/or more complicated contracts for review and approval, and oversees post-event assessment.
  • Advises planning efforts for major events, instructs RSOs on budget planning, travel, event management, contracts, risk management, and organizational development and refers RSOs to, or consult with, business staff or campus colleagues, as needed. Makes presentations on programming matters during signature responsibility workshops for RSO leaders. Advises major event planning and performing arts RSOs, including cultural, political/advocacy, and arts and media organizations.
  • Serves as event planning consultant to Student Engagement agencies and programs, university colleagues, and "outside" RSO advisors from Student Affairs, Athletics, Alumni Relations, and academic and administrative departments. Represents Student Engagement and Leadership (SEL) in regional, national, and international professional organizations involved in event development and related advising programs.
  • Works in conjunction with the Assistant Director of Student Organizational Development and Management to review and evaluate effectiveness of peer advising in meeting RSO event planning needs using quality improvement methods and tools and revises peer advising process as necessary. In collaboration with colleagues, identifies need for, develop, and present workshops for peer consultants and RSO members.
  • Plans and implements campus-wide programming such as Homecoming, UMass Night Out, Parent and Family Weekend in collaboration with other campus partners.
  • Supervises assigned events and programming staff and serves as a leader in coordinating these programs in collaboration with the Senior Director.
  • Assists in planning large, annual, and weeklong campus events-such as Welcome Week and Spring Concert with supervisor, SEL team, Alumni Affairs, Student Affairs and Campus Life (SACL) and other campus departments.
  • Serves as a contact and coordinator for off-campus vendor events being held on campus, as needed.
  • Works in conjunction with the Vice Chancellor’s Office and the Mullins Center on Special Projects (concerts, Mullins Live, Family Weekend).
  • Provides oversight of event management Moodle training for all RSOs and agencies.
  • Supports RSOs in 2 Councils with programming, funding allocation and training from SEL and other campus departments.
  • Provides supervisory oversight and support for professional staff, including the Campus Activities Program Coordinator, who oversees the University Programming Council (UPC).
  • Serves as a generalist and works as a team member in all areas of SEL, including development of campus-wide programs, events, organizations, and student skills.
  • Participates in staff on-call rotation and supervision of night and weekend events.
  • Other Functions

  • Performs related duties as assigned or required. Understands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, Clery and other compliance requirements.
  • Demonstrates capacity, skill, and willingness to engage students and contribute to student success.
  • Understands responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policy.
  • Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace. Uses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University-related information only in the performance of the responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others.
  • Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)

  • Bachelor’s Degree and 3 years’ post-baccalaureate experience in event planning OR Master’s Degree in a related field but not limited to Student Development, Higher Education, or Management and 1 year experience in event planning.
  • Familiarity and level of comfort with Google Docs, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other productivity software.
  • Demonstrated experience of involvement in student leadership and student life programming.
  • Skilled in student advising and/or supervising by establishing rapport, gaining trust, and having a thorough knowledge of student development principles, practices and philosophies.
  • Possess sensitivity to, and experience with, culturally diverse and other marginalized populations.
  • Display excellent decision-making, oral and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
  • Valid Class D Driver’s License for required traveling.
  • Physical Demands/Working Conditions

  • Typical office environment.
  • Ability to lift 30 lbs. and stand for long periods of time on a limited basis.
  • Work Schedule

  • Typical work schedule Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5:00pm, with occasional nights and weekends to support and supervise on-campus events.
  • Required to participate in on-call rotation.
  • Salary Information

    Level 26

    PSU Hiring Ranges

    Special Instructions to Applicants

    Along with the application, please submit a resume, cover letter and contact information for three (3) professional references. The search will remain open until filled. There are multiple positions available for this role.

    UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.

    Advertised: Apr 4 2023 Eastern Daylight Time
    Applications close:

    Organization

    The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the preeminent public research universities in America. Nestled in idyllic Amherst, Massachusetts—often called “The top college town in North America”—the campus is consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the nation, and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers. 

    As one of the nation's top public research universities – as measured by national and international rankings, academic citations, and research funding – the campus spends more than $180 million on research each year, demonstrating its contribution to the nation’s position as a technological and economic leader. The university works in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that create opportunities for students, faculty and the public. 

    Eight schools and colleges offer more than 85 undergraduate majors, 68 master’s and 48 doctoral degree programs, many counted among the top programs in the nation and world. UMass Amherst is also home to New England's premier honors college.

    The 1,159 full-time faculty members are dedicated teachers and world-renowned researchers and the campus has regularly been listed among the top performers in terms of faculty awards. With over 24,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries, the student body is the most academically successful in the history of the campus. Students participate in 240 organizations, 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams, extensive intramurals, living-learning residence halls, community service, and internships. With one of the largest residential life systems in the nation, UMass Amherst houses approximately 12,000 students on campus. The university is enjoying a facilities renaissance, including new buildings in the sciences, the arts, and recreation. UMass Amherst is part of the Five College consortium with Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.

    As an employer, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a national leader in developing family-friendly policies, benefits and amenities designed to help faculty members develop both productive careers and satisfying personal lives. The university offers one of the nation’s most generous parental leave policies. The university is also part of the Academic Career Network, a regional consortium formed to serve dual-career couples and encourage greater diversity in the academy.

     

    Company info
    Website
    Telephone
    4135454894
    Location
    181 PRESIDENTS DR
    Whitmore Administration Building
    Amherst
    Massachusetts
    01003
    US

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