Career Center

Job Summary

Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is actively seeking an Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition Programs to join its Center for Student Involvement (CSI). This is a great opportunity to implement and promote orientation programs and activities for RISD's first-year, transfer, and international students and their families. CSI sponsors several events that foster community engagement at RISD and throughout the Providence metropolitan area. CSI is an on-campus hub that offers RISD students several opportunities to grow as critical thinkers and global citizens. Successful candidates will have the demonstrated ability to think critically about, model, and implement concepts of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural relations in operations, systems, programs, and partnerships.

The Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition coordinates the selection, training, and supervision of the Orientation Leader staff. This position maintains electronic, print, and social media communication for Student Affairs, primarily focusing on new and current students. The Assistant Director is responsible for orientation program budgets and financial planning. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity, and equity in executing key responsibilities, the Assistant Director develops, recommends for approval, and implements as appropriate the orientation and retention-related initiatives for student affairs.

Essential Functions

• Create, promote, implement and evaluate Orientation programs and activities for first-year, transfer, and international students and their families, including collaboration with the President's office, Admissions, Parents' Council, Academic Affairs, Divisional Deans and Graduate Studies.
• Responsible for the recruitment, selection and training of Orientation Leaders. Design and deliver education and leadership training programs and initiatives for orientation leaders, which involve direct student interaction and enhance the overall academic and learning experience outside of the formal classroom setting for student leaders in areas of diversity and social justice, academic achievement, leadership development, and college resources.
• Communicate consistent messages to prospective and current students and their families by designing and implementing departmental communication efforts, including print, electronic, social media, website, webinars, and other emerging communication methods. Construct content and deliver critical information via social media efforts, online webinars, and reservation systems for students and families.
• Develop and manage online orientation programs. Liaise with campus departments to develop and submit content for online orientation and serve as primary contact for the Comeovo system.
• Manage the budget for orientation programs and reconcile expenditures in accordance with RISD policies and best practices. Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records in support of the Budgets & Student Organization Finance Manager, to ensure proper procedures, controls, and financial guidelines for the orientation program budget.
• With the approval of the Associate Director, CSI, recommend and implement initiatives and serve as an event planner for Senior Week in partnership with the Senior Week Planning Committee.
• Research, evaluate and implement best practices in transition programs in conjunction with departmental development efforts that directly support student initiatives.
• Provide leadership and direction to cross-divisional initiatives, such as special project committees and student committees.

Additional Functions:

• Assist the Center for Student Involvement with departmental programs such as, Pre-college orientation programs, admissions events, transfer events, new graduate student programs, campus wide programs, etc.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Experience with budget planning and maintenance, and producing publications for a variety of mediums, including websites.
• Demonstrated experience using Microsoft Office (i.e. Word, Excel, etc.), the Adobe Creative Suites, and social media platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically about, model, and implement concepts of diversity, inclusion, and intercultural relations in operations, systems, programs, and partnerships.
• A demonstrated interest in, and commitment to, the mission of an arts and design school.
• Demonstrated commitment to working successfully with students representing diverse backgrounds, circumstances, and perspectives.
• Ability to work a flexible work schedule including evenings and weekends as needed.
• Master's Degree in College Student Personnel, Higher Education, Student Development, Counseling, or related areas.
• Minimum of two years' experience in higher education and student development/retention/persistence programs in one or more of the following areas: new student orientation programs, new student recruitment, family/parent programs, first-year experience programs, student leadership training and development programs, transitional programs, and student advising/mentoring programs is required.

Union

No

Work Schedule

35 hours/week; 12 months/year

Employment Status

Full-Time; Exempt

Grade

12/AD

Documents Needed to Apply

Resume (required)

Cover Letter (required)

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. We welcome candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.