26-27 Orientation Leader USF Sarasota Manatee

Position Overview:

An Orientation Leader (OL) is a part-time student employee in the Office of Orientation, part of the New Student and Family Engagement Office at the University of South Florida Sarasota Manatee. OLs are supervised directly by the Student Programs Manager and indirectly by other professional staff on the team. OLs serve as peer educators, group facilitators, performers, resources, contacts and role models to new first-year and transfer students, and their families, in their transition to USF. A vast knowledge of the Sarasota Manatee campus and the ability to articulate the positive aspects of attending college at USF is necessary. OLs must also be able to represent USF in a positive fashion. The OL position is both an honor and a rewarding experience that provides both personal and professional growth.

Learning Objectives:

1. Articulate the mission, vision, and values of Orientation and on-boarding.
2. Articulate and demonstrate Orientation Leader competencies, including facilitation, group management, teamwork, personal leadership, mentorship, public speaking, active listening, and communication.
3. Demonstrate openness and appreciation toward the unique contributions that each individual brings to the university community.
4. Assess situations to make reasoned and responsible decisions and respond appropriately to unforeseen circumstances.
5. Meet identified personal goals.
6. Utilize experience for future professional employment opportunities.
7. Describe in detail how leadership skills have improved through their role in Orientation.
8. Express personal and professional growth via working in Orientation
9. Meet identified personal goals.
10. Utilize experience for future professional employment opportunities.
11. Describe in detail how leadership skills have improved through their role in Orientation.
12. Express personal and professional growth via working in Orientation

Start/End Date:

The duration of this position is April 2026 through the first week of classes in January 2027. Most of the workload occurs May through August and in December.

Arrangements must be made with any other employers so that Orientation sessions and training take priority and will be attended by all OLs. Total on-campus employment hours must not exceed 29 hours per week, and this expectation must be communicated to other employers.

Compensation:

1. OLs will be paid $15 per hour. Please note, hourly rates will increase based on state-regulated minimum wage increases.
2. OLs work 1 to 29 hours per week. OLs are expected to work the entirety of each Orientation session. Due to the nature of the position, some weeks may require many more hours, and other weeks may require fewer.
3. The first paycheck may take two to six weeks, or longer, depending on when the proper original documents were provided to Human Resources professional staff by the applicant and the sign-in process was completed.
4. Applicants should be aware financial aid may be affected by the compensation of the OL position. All applicants are advised to check with the Financial Aid Office to determine the extent to which their Financial Aid package may be influenced by employment as an OL.
5. Students appointed to this position must be eligible, in advance of the start date, to complete the Student Employment sign-in process with Human Resources. Initial and/or continued employment are contingent upon completion of this sign-in process. To complete this process, students must produce an original Social Security card, and a picture ID or other state issued ID and a voided check to the supervisor a minimum of one month prior to the first day of work. International students must also include a copy of appropriate work permit information upon accepting a position.
6. Uniforms (polos, t-shirt, backpack, nametag, and other USF apparel)

Qualifications:

1. Be a USF, undergraduate, degree-seeking student. Must be a student at the Sarasota-Manatee campus for a minimum of one semester prior to hire. Not required to register for courses during summer.
2. Be in good academic standing with the University. For the Orientation Leader role this is defined as a cumulative and semester USF GPA of 2.75. OLs failing to meet any of these academic requirements after any one semester will be placed on academic probation or terminated.

Note: If you do not have a USF GPA, you may substitute a GPA from your previous institution (transfer students) or high school (first year students). for undergraduate students during the term of employment.

1. Be in good standing with USF St. Sarasota Manatee campus and Department of Housing and Residential Education (i.e. no judicial probation, outstanding financial obligations, University sanction status, etc.).
2. Possess the following role model qualities: maturity, responsibility, initiative, motivation, morality, flexibility, enthusiasm, integrity, discernment, humility, positivity and a strong work ethic.
3. Possess effective communication, leadership, time management, critical thinking and organizational skills. This includes checking and responding to mail or notices received via the OL University email account and/ or telephone.
4. Exhibit good presentation skills.
5. Maintain willingness to work daytime, evening and weekend hours as scheduled, including hours during holidays and between academic terms when necessary.
6. Possess the ability to work long hours that begin early in the morning and that end late at night for days in a row, ability to conduct tours or remain outside in the heat for significant periods of time and be responsible for transporting materials to Orientation sites for every session.

Responsibilities:

1. Serve as group leader for 10-40 incoming first year and transfer students or the families and guests’ group or support staff at each Orientation session. As a group leader, the OL will facilitate small group activities and discussions amongst participants, lead groups to sessions, introduce speakers and professional staff, be present during presentations and notify speakers of time left to present.
2. Assist in the creation, organization, and preparation of Orientation presentations, activities, and materials.
3. Communicate regularly and interact positively with the rest of the Orientation Team.
4. Serve as an appropriate role model by following policies and procedures, accepting and completing assigned responsibilities and encouraging participation in USF’s Sarasota Manatee campus activities.
5. Represent all Sarasota Manatee campus organizations equally and accurately to new students and their family members.
6. Know campus information to represent all Sarasota Manatee campus organizations equally and accurately and to lead a thorough Campus Tour.
7. Assist presenters, college representatives, academic advisors and other administrators as needed.
8. Some Orientation Leaders will be the MCs of sessions to welcome the families and guests and introduce presenters.
9. Participate in all assigned duties of Orientation fully and with a positive attitude while taking initiative with unanticipated tasks or problems. Always exhibit the best of USF to ensure that new students and their families have a productive and positive Orientation experience.

Training:

1. Participate in all assigned duties of Orientation fully and with a positive attitude while taking initiative
2. OLs are required to attend Intensive Training sessions, which may be scheduled with short notice. These include but are not limited to:
   1. An OL Team Bonding Sessions coordinated by the Professional Staff Team. Dates will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
   2. OL Intensive Training will be held in May. Specific dates will be shared as soon as they are confirmed.
   3. OLs are expected to fully participate in the development of all presentations and performances. Additional rehearsals will be required as needed.

Time Commitment:

All training and orientation sessions are required. Orientation meetings and 1:1s will be conducted throughout the employment time and will be scheduled with the team.

OLs must be available for the following dates:

• TBD

Summer Classes & Work:

OLs are expected to communicate with their supervisors before registering for summer classes or accepting any other commitments. Summer classes and any other commitments including part time jobs, internships, or volunteer opportunities must NOT conflict with any required trainings, Orientation sessions, and other Orientation functions; AND must be approved by your supervisor in advanced. In addition, you are expected to plan summer vacations and co-curricular activities around our Orientation summer break.

Absences and Tardiness:

OLs are expected to be on time and attend every Orientation session and training. Time off is limited and excused on an emergency permission basis only. OLs are expected to notify Professional Staff of absences in writing to be considered for an excused absence. OLs will be held accountable for all unexcused tardies and absences.

Performance Evaluations:

There will be four required meetings with your supervisor: (1) upon hiring, (2) performance review in June, (3) performance review in August, (4) final performance review at the completion of your employment in January. The purpose of these reviews is to provide positive and constructive feedback on overall job performance.

Accountability:

Accountability is critical to our ability to effectively operate as a team. Therefore, as a team, it is expected that each OL hold themselves and their teammates accountable to our standards, expectations, and competencies.

What You Can Expect as an OL

The Office of Orientation is committed to your personal and professional growth and development. Therefore, you can expect the following from our staff:

1. Intentionally designed, high-quality leadership development training and experiences focused on building your competency in the areas of self-management, servant leadership, communication, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, congruence with purpose, and teamwork.
2. Training meetings and materials that will set you up to successfully facilitate and lead a group of students, work with families and guests of the population you serve, execute the logistics of a session, and prepare you to excel in your job duties as an OL.
3. Culture of trust that is characterized by open communication, honest feedback, and autonomy to do your job within the context of our guiding philosophies and processes.
4. A culture of growth that is exemplified by the professional staff and is visible by the constant pursuit of being better than we were the day before, every single day!
5. Opportunities to fine-tune skills and stretch your comfort zone as we will play on your strengths, but also challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone to gain new skills and increased self-confidence.

Application and Selection Process:

• Applications will open on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and will close once filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
• The Orientation team will review the applications, and eligible candidates will be invited to participate in an in-person interview.
• Once interviewed, the team will be tentatively selected.
  • Final offers will depend on a conduct check to ensure applicants are within the 2.75 GPA margin and are in good standing with Student Conduct & Ethical Development.