2009 1787 August Orientation Coordinator
Position Description

The Orientation Office invites applications for two 1787 Coordinators. Serving as a 1787 Coordinator allows you the exciting opportunity to set the vision and tone for 1787 August Orientation, work behind the scenes with Orientation, collaborate with some amazing people and see program planning through to completion. It's really an unparalleled opportunity!

1787 Coordinators play an integral role in the success of JMU's 1787 August Orientation program by being intimately involved in planning and implementing the 5-day welcome week for all incoming new students.  1787 Coordinators will be employed from January 12, 2009-October 2, 2009. 1787 Coordinators will work part-time during the spring semester, full-time during the summer, and part-time for the duration of the contract during fall 2009. 1787 Coordinators will report to Sarah Barnes, Assistant Director of Programming.

Conditions of employment

• 1787 Coordinators must be full-time undergraduate students through fall 2009. Coordinators may not study abroad during the period of employment.
• A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred (please let us know if this is a concern).
• You must be in good disciplinary standing.
• You may not take classes at any time during June, July and/or August. However, you may take a May session class with approval from the immediate supervisor.
• 1787 Coordinators must be available to work on all of the dates listed in the "Important Orientation Dates" section of this application packet.
• Significant orientation experience required.

Compensation

• 1787 Coordinators will be paid a stipend of $4000 in installments. Contact Sarah Barnes (barnesse@jmu.edu) for more specific information on the installments.

• Two weeks of vacation will be taken during the summer. Vacation dates must be approved in advance by the supervisor and cannot conflict with "Important Orientation Dates."

• Lunch during Transfer and First-Year Summer Springboard sessions will be provided. Evening meals will be provided during evening training sessions.

• Two excellent purple shirts and our everlasting gratitude.

Selection Process

There are two components to the selection process:

1. Paper Screening (Applications Due: Wednesday, September 17^th by 5:00 PM)

2. Individual Interview

Although all applicants will go through the paper screening, only selected candidates will advance to the individual interview. Individual interviews will take place the week of September 22^nd. The selection process will be completed and candidates notified the week of September 29^th.

1787 Coordinator Responsibilities

            The two coordinators will have significant responsibilities with planning and implementing the 1787 August Orientation Program. Below is a list of the basic duties and responsibilities of the 1787 coordinators.  These responsibilities will be shared by the two 1787 Coordinators.

• Develop a learning contract for yourself in collaboration with the Assistant Director of Programming that will be revisited and evaluated throughout the term of employment in order to achieve the personal and professional goals outlined
• Commitment to the vision, mission, and goals of JMU, Student Success, and the Orientation Office
• Work toward achieving the Orientation purpose and 1787 goals
• Develop the 2009 learning goals and expected outcomes of 1787
• Oversee the development of the Freshman and Transfer 1787 August Orientation schedules
• Work closely with University Program Board to ensure quality late-night programming
• Coordinate educational and entertaining programs and experiences in keeping with the Orientation philosophy and budget
• Coordinate student performance groups to develop entertainment events
• Continue to enhance the success of the "I am JMU", or develop a new program that would accomplish the same goal
• Develop text for, oversee design of, and proof the 2009 Mappy and Transfer Compass
• Manage programming budget and appropriately distribute funds to create a comprehensive program
• Communicate and work closely with various JMU departments, faculty and staff to plan and implement 1787 August Orientation
• Foster cohesion among all student staff (SOCs, OPAs, FROGs, OOAs, ANTs, UPB, etc.)
• Work closely with Orientation Office Assistants, Student Orientation Coordinators, Orientation Program Assistants, Denise Cooper, Kevin Gibson, Dan Murphy, Tisha McCoy, Debbie Pine, the University Programming Board, Events & Conferences, Dining, Public Safety, and Facilities Management
• Coordinate the 2009 August 1787 Orientation program incentives (i.e. Bluestone Bank, 1787 Sweepstakes)
• Create master placement schedule for OPAs, ANTS and FROGs in collaboration with the SOCs
• Meet weekly and communicate regularly with the Assistant Director of Programming throughout the period of employment
• Maintain program binder and write-up evaluation report in fall 2009
• Assist with First Year and Transfer Summer Springboard programs as needed
• Participate in the interview, selection, and training of OPAs, FROGs, and ANTs
• Participate in the recruitment and selection of 2010 Student Orientation Coordinators and 1787 Coordinators in September and October of 2009
• Provide excellent customer service to students, families and members of the JMU community
• Serve as an effective role model at all times for the ANTs, OPAs, FROGs and incoming students
• Other duties as assigned

1787 Coordinator Qualifications

Successful candidates will have the following skills (or be dedicated to developing them):

Important Orientation Dates

The 1787 August Orientation Coordinators must be available to work on all of the following dates. Contact Sarah Barnes (barnesse@jmu.edu) if you have questions or concerns about any of these dates.

Spring 2009

• January 12^th First day of work!
• January: ANT Selection
• February: First O-Team Meeting & Overnight Retreat
• March: Various FROG Selection Training Sessions*    
• April: Various FROG Selection Training Sessions*
• March: NODA Region 8 Conference (in Cherry Hill, NJ)
• April 18^th: FROG Training Day (8 AM - 5 PM)           
• Spring ANT/OPA training dates are yet to be determined.
• Additional ANT/OPA/FROG training or meetings may be scheduled during spring semester as needed.

Summer 2009 below are tentative date ranges Summer Springboard programs, as specific dates are yet to be set by the university

• May: Transfer Team Training for Transfer Summer Springboard
• June 1^st-5^th: Transfer Summer Springboard
• Mid-June: Orientation Peer Adviser Training for First Year Summer Springboard
• June 22^nd-30^th; July 1^st-15^th : First Year Summer Springboard
• July 16^th: 1787 Training Day

August 2009

• August 1^st-18^th: 1787 final prep and OPA/FROG Training
• August 18^th-19^th: First Year Move-in
• August 19^th-23^rd:  1787 August Orientation 
• August 21^st-23^rd: Transfer 1787 August Orientation

Fall 2009

• September/October: wrap up, final reports, and assist with selecting Student Orientation Coordinators and 1787 Coordinators for 2010.

*Dates and times are subject to change based on staff and facility availability.