Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.
The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.
JOB TITLE
Student Worker - Orientation Leader
JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY
The Student Worker - Orientation Leader (OL) is a part-time (average of 15 hours/week) student staff member of the Office of Student Experience at Florida Polytechnic University. The OL provides guidance and facilitates adjustments for new students and families during New Student Orientation. The OL is selected and trained to be a vital resource for new students and to be sensitive to the academic, emotional, and social challenges college students face, particularly those involved with the normal adjustments in transitioning to college. The OL plays an important role in assisting and mentoring new students with a seamless transition into the University community and works to provide opportunities for new students to get involved while attending the University during their first year. The OL works with approximately 20-25 new students (number varies on the number of students in the incoming class) per orientation, in a group-oriented setting. The OL contains structured virtual and in-person time but is a very flexible time commitment based on the OL’s class schedule and community needs, with many OL responsibilities occurring during the summer, evenings, and weekends. If selected, the OL begins their position in April 2026, with their position ending in December 2026. The OL will be provided the opportunity to continue their employment for the Spring 2027 semester, if selected.
JOB DESCRIPTION
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Creates and manages schedules, files, accurate records, and thorough evaluations of Orientation Leaders as well as Student Experience events, programs, and initiatives.
- Assists the Director of Student Engagement or designee to administer pre- and post- event, program, and initiative assessment surveys and develop reports.
- Functions as a liaison between the Orientation Leaders and Student Experience Professional Staff, addressing concerns and problem-solving.
- Under the direction of the Director for Student Experience or designee, creates, plans, and organizes Student Experience events and activities for Orientation Leaders, as well as all new Florida Poly students and their families.
- Leads virtual and in-person meetings and promotes interaction and collaboration among new students during New Student Orientation program small group discussions, icebreakers, mealtimes, and various program activities.
- Presents University information and their student experience during New Student Orientation program breakout sessions in virtual and in-person settings.
- Supports logistics for all Student Experience events and activities including but not limited to setting up/tearing down for various events, moving furniture, organizing supplies, A/V set-up, etc.
- Disseminate information to new students regarding on and off campus resources to assist their academic, emotional, and social needs.
- Trained to be sensitive to the academic, emotional, and social challenges college students face, particularly those involved with the normal adjustments in transitioning to college.
- Create a welcoming environment for all new students and their families and serve as a positive and enthusiastic representative of the University to new students and their families.
- Collaborates with other Orientation Leaders and professional staff to develop, prepare, implement, and evaluate New Student Orientation programs.
- Engage in academic success interventions and intentional one-on-one conversations (i.e., You Matter meetings) with new students consistent with office requirements and learning outcomes.
- Understand and know University academic support services/resources and refer new students when necessary.
- Understand and know all office crisis protocols, guidelines, and procedures. Inform students about University Student Code of Conduct and overall student behavior expectations.
- Identify and respond appropriately to student concerns dealing with situations, such as violence, bias, sexual assault, suicidal ideation, depression, anxiety, domestic disputes, etc., and work with the Student Experience professional staff or designee to resolve them.
- Immediately report dangerous or life-threatening student behaviors to the University Police Department and Student Experience professional staff or designee for appropriate and timely intervention.
- Participate in office initiatives such as staff recruitment and selection, staff training, partnership programs and events, and office or community specific committees/teams/collateral assignments as directed by New Student and Family Program professional staff or designee.
- Operate as one member within a larger staff and team.
- Work closely with other staff teams when needed and as directed by Student Experience professional staff or designee.
- Perform and follow through with any other appropriate task and/or duty as asked of you by any Student Experience professional staff member.
- Attend all Student Experience and Florida U Lead workshops and trainings as scheduled.
- Other duties as assigned.
EMPLOYMENT TIME COMMITMENT:
This position requires a significant amount of time during the end of the spring semester (April-May), the summer (mid-May through the end of July), prior to the start of the fall semester (beginning of August), and throughout the fall semester (mid-August through the beginning of December). Orientation Leaders should expect to work no more than 10 hours per week, except during New Student Orientation, New Student Move-In, and Purple Fire Week when Orientation Leaders will be expected to work up to 30 hours.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
- Actively participate in and attend all mandatory fall and spring training programs and sessions with the Office of Student Experience and the Florida Poly U Lead program. All training dates will be provided to applicants during the Florida Poly U Lead selection and interview process. Please note, all training dates are subject to change.
- Actively participate in and attend all Office of Student Experience mandatory staff meetings and trainings. Please note, all staff meetings and training dates are subject to change.
- Report regularly to your supervisors – Director of Student Engagement or designee.
- Participate in systematic evaluation of job performance.
- Lead Orientation Leaders can expect to return earlier prior to the fall and spring semesters to attend trainings. If the Lead Orientation Leader lives on campus, they will be expected to move-in prior to the scheduled move-in date for all residential students.
- Lead Orientation Leaders are expected to give priority to their job responsibilities over extra-curricular activities and other employment. Additional employment is allowed, but approval must be received from your supervisor (Director of Student Experience or designee).
- Demonstrate knowledge of Florida Poly, the community, programs, traditions, resources, culture, policies, and procedures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- Must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at the Florida Polytechnic University.
- Must have attended Florida Polytechnic University for at least one academic year prior to starting the position. For transfer students, must have attended Florida Polytechnic University for a least one academic semester prior to starting the position.
- Must be in and remain in good academic standing per University Human Resource student employment requirements
- Must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.25 semester GPA or greater per the Office of Student Experience student employment and University Human Resource policies.
- Must be in and remain in good standing with the Office Student Rights and Responsibilities.
- Must actively participate in and attend all fall/winter/spring training programs, all training sessions, all staff meetings, and all in-service meetings with the Office of Student Experience and the Florida Poly U Lead program.
- Demonstrates sensitivity to diversity and appreciation of difference in first-year students, international students, and transfer students and students within the Lead Orientation Leader team.
- Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of team members, students, and families.
- Demonstrate team leadership, responsibility, and have a willingness to maintain a high level of competence, discreet judgment, and confidentiality.
- Must possess strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills, time management skills, communicate effectively, have a positive attitude, and provide superior customer service.
- Must have knowledge of and enthusiasm for the Florida Polytechnic University community.
- Must have and showcase pride in Florida Poly and be an active member in the Phoenix community.
- Successfully complete a background check per University Human Resource student employment requirements.
REMUNERATION:
- New Orientation Leaders are paid an hourly rate of $14.25 (Tier I)
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:
Required attachments are listed on each posting. Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered.
An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire.
Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.
All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.
DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.
This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.