2025-26 Orientation Leader
Position Description
Orientation Leaders (OLs) are responsible for administering a successful New Student Orientation and providing a welcoming onboarding and transition experience for new students who come from diverse backgrounds and experiences within the US and from around the world. Orientation Leaders work to create an inclusive environment that enhances the growth, development, and empowerment of new students.
Orientation Leader Duties
- Foster a positive transition to campus life for new students by creating an atmosphere in which students can connect with the University and feel comfortable interacting with each other
- Engage incoming students throughout each orientation session; greet students and families, answer questions, direct traffic flow around Orientation, help students navigate the Orientation schedule
- Guide, lead, and be responsible for a group of 10-20 students per orientation session
- Facilitate meaningful group discussions and connections between students
- Assist with the logistical execution of each orientation session, including the organization and preparation of activities and materials
- Participate in all Orientation Leader trainings and orientation sessions
- Serve as a role model to new students and family members by following policies and procedures, completing assigned responsibilities, and exhibiting pride and spirit for the University of South Florida
Gain Experience In:
- Inclusive Leadership
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Teamwork
- Public Speaking
- Interpersonal & Intercultural Skills
Apply If You Are:
- Excited to give back to new students
- Passionate about USF
- Dependable, reliable, and committed
- Excellent team player
- Motivated and eager to support others
- Able to perform independently
Qualifications
- Be a USF Sarasota-Manatee campus degree-seeking student for a minimum of one semester prior to hire; must be enrolled for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 classes
- Be in good standing with the University and Student Rights & Responsibilities with at least a 2.5 grade point average
- Available for all orientation sessions and training dates as well as assigned pre-and post-orientation duties to be agreed upon
- Willingness to learn about campus facts and University services
- Must be able to work as part of a diverse team to accomplish group goals
- Have an appreciation for diversity and sensitivity toward a variety of ideas and values
- Ability to assume leadership roles and complete all assigned tasks
- Have a passion for the University of South Florida and strong desire to help spark that passion in new students
Time Commitment
All training, orientation preparation, and session dates 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:
- May 5-9 , 2025
- December 15-19, 2025
- May 15, 2025
- June 11, 2025
- June 24, 2025
- June 27, 2025
- August 18, 2025
- August 23, 2025
Compensation
OLs are paid for a set number of hours that cover their work throughout the year, including Orientation summer, fall, and spring sessions, required 1:1 meetings with the supervisor, rehearsals, trainings, and additional events as agreed upon with the supervisor.
- $14/hour, paid biweekly through direct deposit
- Uniforms (polos, t-shirt, backpack, nametag, and other USF apparel)
Application and Selection Process
- Applications will open on January 15, 2025 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 a 25-minute interview.
- Once interviewed, the team will be tentatively selected.
- Final offers will depend on a conduct check to ensure applicants are within the 2.5 GPA margin and are in good standing with University Rights & Responsibilities.
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.
Orientation Sessions
During sessions, it is expected that OLs participate in all aspects of the Orientation sessions and have no outside commitments during that time.
Performance
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.
Please direct questions to Hannah Pogue at hpogue@usf.edu.