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Orientation Leader Job
Description and Application

Download a PDF of the 2008 Orientation Leader Application. Print, fill out, and turn in to First Year Programs, Mary Gates Hall, Room 171. Contact us at (206) 543-4905 or email uwao@u.washington.edu with any questions.

Lisa is hard at work building sandwich boards for Dawg Daze.
Lisa is hard at work building sandwich boards for Dawg Daze.

The Orientation Leader position is an opportunity to assist incoming freshmen, transfer students, and their families in their transition to the University of Washington. Orientation Leaders work along side academic advisers and other UW staff to implement the Summer Advising and Orientation program. The purpose of the Summer Advising and Orientation program is to connect students with academic advisers and counselors, facilitate their first quarter course registration, and give them a preview of UW campus life. Orientation Leaders also get to work behind the scenes planning and preparing for Dawg Daze, UW's welcome week for new students.

Requirements

  • Enrolled as an undergraduate at UW-Seattle in Spring 2008.
  • Available to attend a three-credit training class, Gen St 347, during Spring Quarter. The class will be held from 4:00–5:30 pm Monday and Wednesday evenings.
  • Attend a weekend retreat during the second weekend of Spring Quarter, April 11–13.
  • Available to work 35–40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, June 16th–Sept 23rd, 2008. Actual hours worked will vary based upon summer program schedules and will fall between 7:00am and 9:00pm. Refrain from taking summer classes, assuming another job responsibility, or engaging in conflicting outside commitments during the period of summer employment (June to Sept).
  • Five days of unpaid vacation are allowed; vacation time must be scheduled during Spring Quarter.
  • Available to work during Autumn, Winter, and Spring Quarters for Quarter Advising and Orientation—dependent on class schedule.

Responsibilities

  • Facilitating transitional programs for first-year students, transfer students, and their families.
  • Assisting academic advisers in the presentation of academic planning information sessions.
  • Developing expertise in an assigned area of academics in order to assist the advising and registration of students.
  • Facilitating workshops, presentations, and discussions to provide students and their families with information and perspectives on campus life.
  • Completing assigned Dawg Daze preparation tasks throughout the summer.
  • Portraying the University of Washington, its policies, agencies, services and campus life in a professional manner to new students and parents.

Desired Skills and Abilities

  • Interpersonal communication skills; the capacity to listen and respond to individuals' questions and concerns; the ability to help others problem-solve and make decisions.
  • Comfortable interacting with audiences from 1 to 350 people.
  • Commitment to the Orientation Leader position and to the Orientation Leader and First Year Program teams.
  • Ability to balance a variety of activities, including academics and extra-curricular activities.

Compensation and Employment Benefits

  • Attend a three-credit class, Gen St 347 (Community Fieldwork: Education), for Spring quarter training.
  • Earn $9/hour during summer work.

Application Timeline

  • January 30th: Applications Due (Turn in to First Year Programs, Mary Gates Hall, Room 171)
  • February 8th: Selected applicants invited via email for interviews
  • March 6th: Approximate date for final Orientation Leader selection and hiring

To learn more, attend an optional information session:

  • January 23rd, 3:30–4:30pm in MGH 191
Located throughout campus, 22 outdoor "Code Blue" Emergency Phones connect directly to the UW Police Department.
First Year Programs empowers entering students to become engaged and confident learners by facilitating supportive communities and creating educational experiences.