Graduate Assistant of Civic Engagement

Educational Objectives: To provide the graduate student with practical experience in Student Life & Development – specifically Civic Engagement. Emphasis will be in the areas of community relations, special event planning, marketing, and assessment. The graduate assistant will work with students and the department focusing on skills development in the following areas: administration, data management, volunteer recruitment, public relations/communications, leadership development, education, facilitation, and assessment of programs. There are opportunities to establish working relationships with various campus and community organizations and constituents.

Specific Program Responsibilities:

• Serve as co-organizer for a variety of unit programs and events, including but not limited to: community partner involvement in Mainstreet & Sidestreet, Excellence in Leadership Awards and Banquet, the Lemonade Concert and Art Fair, among other events as assigned.
• Excellence in Leadership Awards: Assist in planning the banquet (which takes place on a Sunday in April); facilitate ordering of award medallions, coordinate award winner tasks, sending invitations, compiling RSVPs, coordinating printing of programs, and other event logistics.
• Lemonade Concert and Art Fair: Assist in planning the fair (which takes place the third Thursday in June); coordinate and oversee the vendor application process, processing of those applications, mapping of vendors, and providing excellent customer service to vendors via email and phone. Also, will play a lead role in booking small stage musicians and performers for the fair.

Volunteerism and Community Engagement:

• Promote opportunities for and benefits of co-curricular service and community engagement through creative marketing and outreach methods.
• Facilitate presentations for a variety of on and off-campus audiences to increase awareness of Department of Campus Involvement services and programs.
• Coordinate marketing and outreach initiatives to promote student involvement in volunteerism in the local community.
• Provide service and engagement resource and referral information for a variety of constituents.
• Develop and maintain relationships with local non-profit organizations.
• Assist in updating, editing and maintaining the Civic Engagement portion of the departmental website.
• Attend department, division, and University meetings and planning sessions in order to assist with strategic short and long term planning for civic engagement efforts.

Other Responsibilities:

• Assist with coordination of program/department evaluation and assessment processes.
• Advise and mentor interns or student workers in specific program and project initiatives.
• Assist in developing budgets and tracking program expenditures for individual projects.
• Complete special projects/initiatives assigned by Directors.

General/Overall Department Responsibilities:

• Actively seek out and participate in ongoing professional development
• Aid in risk management, conflict resolution and problem solving among constituent groups
• Apply student development theory in your daily work
• Attend required weekly meetings (i.e. dept., 1-on-1’s, etc.)
• Build and maintain relationships with a variety of constituent groups
• Collaborate internally and externally to accomplish program goals
• Communicate professionally and effectively with others
• Develop a working knowledge of University and Departmental policies and procedures
• Develop and present workshops on topics related to mission of office/department
• Educate oneself about social justice and inclusion
• Engage in ongoing assessment practices
• Engage in program planning which is inclusive, represents best practices, current trends, and remains within budget parameters
• Engage in research necessary to successfully accomplish program objectives
• Maintain a regular weekly schedule on Outlook (seek prior approval for any changes)
• Directly oversee the work of any civic engagement intern(s); with input from supervisor
• Participate in required department-wide events, trainings, and conferences
• Provide advisement and mentor Program Assistants and other students
• Report violations and concerns immediately to supervisor
• Represent the department, division and University in a professional and positive manner
• Serve on University-wide committees as appointed
• Utilize technology available and required to fulfill duties

Supervision: 

• The Director of Campus Involvement provides supervision, advising, and training. Some activities will involve direct supervision, while others will require independent work with little supervision. A learning contract will be developed with the supervisor. At the end of each semester a review of competency development will occur. GA Program Advisers will also be required to attend regularly scheduled staff meetings.

Appointment Length, Dates & Hours:

• The appointment occurs from early to mid-August through early to mid-May, with continuation for a second year commitment if circumstances permit and are amenable to all parties. Position is 20 hours per week. Hours and expectations vary according to department and program needs. Some early mornings, evenings, and weekends are required. 

Compensation:

• $10,560 per academic year / $5,280 per semester. In addition to the salary/stipend, full-time graduate assistants are eligible for a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver covers up to and including nine graduate credits per semester for the academic year and in-state tuition for any remaining credits.

Qualifications: 

• A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and admission to a graduate program at St. Cloud State University. Significant experience in civic engagement or service-learning, event planning, project management, and advising preferred – including working with students, community partners, faculty, staff, and student organizations. Students pursuing the field(s) of higher education, student affairs, public administration, counseling, business, or related fields preferred. Excellent organizational, program planning and projection, and oral and written communication skills required, along with a willingness to learn, accept feedback, and provide direction to undergraduates. A student must be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies, be in good academic standing and be enrolled full-time each semester of the appointment. International students, as well as U. S. citizens and residents, are eligible to apply. Must be in good standing with the University and consent to the Code of Conduct.

Screening of applications begins immediately and will continue until position is filled.