Graduate Assistant Sports Information

Job Title: Graduate Assistant Sports Information/Athletic Communication

Reports to: Director of Sports Information/Athletic Communication

Prepared by: Director of Sports Information/Athletic Communication

Date: August 4, 2023

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POSITION SUMMARY

This position is responsible for assisting the Director of Sports Information/Athletic Communication in the overall management of the Sports Information/Athletic Communications Office and will assist the athletic department with any other administrative duties/day-to-day operational and game management requirements as may be required/assigned. The DAC/SID/GA will assist the DAC/SID in the planning, organization, and execution of the workflow of the office with a high level of congeniality, quality, efficiency, timeliness, and accuracy. This position will promote the college’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement where applicable.

CLASS AND GRADE

This is a part-time, 10 month, Graduate Assistant, non-exempt position.

*DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND TASKS (Essential)

SPORTS INFORMATION (80%)

· Writing press releases for media and publication on Thomas Athletics Website athletics.thomas.edu

· Maintain game-day statistics for multiple sports (Field Hockey, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Lacrosse, Tennis)

· Assist with Thomas Athletics Website maintenance.

· Assist in webcast production of live events.

· Work with Thomas College Athletics Clubs (SAID, SAAC) to bring awareness and up to date information to the college community.

· Work with the conference for any needed communication regarding Thomas College Student-Athletes

· Promote and showcase success of teams whose stats do not produce xml files

· Assist in other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletic Communications/Sports Information

ADMINISTRATIVE (20%)

· Assist with administration of Thomas College Athletics social media platforms.

· Assist with day-to-day office operations (archiving, meetings, etc.)

· Adhere to and enforce all policies and procedures of Thomas College, the Athletic Department and all rules/ regulations of the NCAA and North Atlantic Conference and the ACHA.

· Consistently demonstrate character, integrity, respect, and good sportsmanship of the highest order and hold student athletes accountable to the same.

· Contribute positively to the culture of Thomas College by supporting its mission.

· Work collaboratively with other athletic department staff members as well as colleagues across the campus and conference. Maintain a positive problem-solving attitude by listening, respecting the competing demands of others, and working toward the best solution for both the student athlete and Thomas College.

· Other related duties as assigned.

OTHER ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

· Considerable time is spent on the athletic field, court or press box.

· Appropriate time spent at a computer workstation and on the phone.

· Lifting of sports-related equipment (no more than 60 lbs.) is required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

· Comprehensive computer, stat crew software, desktop publishing and web site development skills.

· Knowledge of sport specific rules and regulations.

· Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.

· Ability to effectively communicate with athletic department staff, student athletes, recruits, and their families.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s Degree required

· Be matriculated into a Master’s degree program with a minimum GPA of 3.00

· Valid driver’s license, successful driver’s license background check, and successful completion of van familiarization course required.

SCOPE OF EXTERNAL CONTACT

· Vice President of Athletics

· Associate Director of Athletics

· Director of Sports Information/Athletic Communication

· Athletic Department Staff

· Student Athletes

· Enrollment Department Staff

· Other Thomas College Employees

· Media

· Recruits; their parents and high school personnel/ coaches

· Alumni/Alumnae

WORKING CONDITIONS

Flexible part-time schedule (avg of 10.5 hours per week), arranged around gameday competition times, staff meetings and the GA’s class schedule. This position requires work during many of the hours associated with the sports information profession, including nights and weekends.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

· 70% Independent Judgment

· 20% Direct

· 10% Indirect

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to do this job. The above is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required.

*External and internal applicants, as well as position incumbents who become disabled as defined under the American with Disabilities Act, must be able to perform the essential job functions (as listed) either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation to be determined by management on a case-by-case basis.

Overview

A Graduate Assistantship is a competitive position made to a student in good standing enrolled in a Thomas College graduate degree program. While a Graduate Assistant (GA) position offsets some of the expenses associated with obtaining a graduate degree and provides supervised, professional experience, first and foremost, the GA is a student pursuing an education.

The College is committed to ensuring that GA assignments are productive, enhance student qualifications, and support the educational objectives of the student.

A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are available and awarded to those students who have shown superior aptitude in their field of study, have demonstrated a record of good citizenship, and who appear likely to render a high quality of service to the College.

The GA awards are made annually and typically follow the graduate online academic calendar. Occasionally, assignments may fall outside the parameters of the academic calendar, depending on need, funding and other factors. Based on performance and funding, appointments may be renewed for a second year.

Eligibility

The following criteria must be met to be considered for a GA position:

1. Be matriculated into a graduate degree program at Thomas College

2. Must reside in Maine

3. Be enrolled at least halftime during each cohort that they are working as a GA

4. Meet GPA standards for good academic standing as outlined in the catalog

a. Students who are placed on probation must make progress toward good academic standing as determined by the Senor Director for Graduate and Professional Studies or they risk losing their tuition waiver. Students who are academically dismissed from the program will also forfeit their assistantship.

5. Remain in good standing as a member of Thomas College’s community.

a. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct may impact a student’s eligibility for an assistantship.

Compensation

· Half tuition while employed as a GA for a one-year term

o GA student is responsible for all fees, room and board

· $15.50 per hour, for a maximum of 433 hours during a one-year appointment

How To Apply

· GA positions will be posted on Handshake. Interested accepted students should apply through Handshake.

· GA’s will receive a job description upon hire. A copy of this policy must accompany the job description.

Unsatisfactory Performance

When a staff member responsible for oversight is dissatisfied with a student’s performance in fulfilling the responsibilities of an assistantship, the following steps should be taken:

1. The staff member responsible for the oversight should, in the course of routine mentoring, discuss the shortcomings of the student’s performance, making specific recommendations for changes.

2. If improvement is not made, the staff member responsible for oversight must advise the student in writing of his/her concerns and allow sufficient time for the student to address the performance issues raised by the staff member responsible for oversight. Specific recommendations for changes in performance should be provided again. A copy of the letter must be sent to the Graduate and Professional Studies office.

3. The assistantship may be terminated if sufficient improvement is not made in a timely manner. The staff member responsible for oversight must provide notification of such a termination in writing. This notification must state that the student has the right to file a grievance with the Senior Director of Graduate and Professional Studies, who will provide a mechanism for further review if the graduate student believes the action to be unfair, and he or she is unable to resolve the matter at the department level.

Note: A GA who receives feedback indicating unsatisfactory performance is encouraged, at any time during the process, to confer with the staff member responsible for oversight and the Senior Director of Graduate and Professional Studies. If a student is dismissed from their GA position, they will also forfeit their tuition waiver. However, they may still complete their academic program.