Lead Orientation Executive Staff | Student Success Center

About the Position

Position Details
Position Title	Lead Orientation Executive Staff (L-OES)
Department	Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
Position Type	Student Staff
Hours	5–10 hours per week (fall semester) 15–20 hours per week (spring semester) 40 hours per week (after the end of the spring semester) 5–10 hours total (the following fall semester)
Pay Type	Hourly Rate
Hourly Rate	Negotiable based on experience
Supervisor	Assistant Director of Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success
Dates	Midyear Orientation: January 5, 2026 SSA/SSRA training: May 11–13, 2026 Summer Session 1: May 31–June 1, 2026 Summer Session 2: June 7–8, 2026 Summer Session 3: June 12–13, 2026 Summer Session 4: June 19–20, 2026 Orientation Team Leader training week: August 17–21, 2026 Move-in and O-Week: August 24–29, 2026

Job Description Summary

The Lead Orientation Executive Staff (L-OES) is an integral part of the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success. The L-OES is responsible for mentoring, role modeling, and assisting members of the Orientation Executive Staff (OES) at Michigan Tech. They will help with hiring other OES and the Orientation Staff (which includes Orientation Team Leaders [OTLs], Summer Session Ambassadors [SSAs], and Summer Session Residential Assistants [SSRAs]). They will work closely with the members of the OES team to train and supervise 70–80 OTLs and 20–30 SSAs and Resident Assistants (RAs).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Lead Orientation Executive Staff will share the following responsibilities:

Collaborate with the Assistant Director and OES to plan and implement all aspects of Orientation and associated outreach activities (see individual descriptions below for details).
Review Orientation feedback results; identify areas of success and growth, and make recommendations for program improvements.
Serve on the selection committee for Wahtera Center Student Employees, reviewing applications, assisting in the planning and delivery of information sessions, group process, individual interviews, and offer letters.
Serve as a leader, role model, and co-supervisor to the Orientation Staff Members.
Assist in planning and delivering Training Modules on Canvas.
Assist in updating the Task List with current dates and assignments.
Assist the Assistant Director with planning and implementing the mid-year orientation.
Work with the Assistant Director and OES to implement the new student check-in process.
Answer the Orientation email account and provide office assistance as needed.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Experience (minimum requirements)

A minimum of one year of experience as an Orientation Executive Staff or similar position is required.
Must be enrolled as a full-time student for the duration of appointment (Fall 2025 through Fall 2026).
Maintain a 3.0 minimum grade point average and be free (and remain free) of University disciplinary sanctions for the duration of appointment.
Must have satisfactory academic progress towards their degree.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and/or Abilities (minimum requirements)

Demonstrated understanding of the purpose of Orientation and the desire to support new students’ transition to college.
Positive attitude, strong motivation, high integrity, and ability to represent Michigan Tech professionally.
Strong leadership, mentoring, role modeling, and the ability to hold peers accountable.
Demonstrated ability to use good judgment when dealing with confidential, sensitive, or critical information.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, make informed decisions, and actively solve problems.
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously without loss of quality or accuracy.
Strong personal wellness, including the ability to effectively manage time and stress, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
Strong organizational skills and the ability to work with accuracy and attention to detail.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively across multiple and diverse constituencies (students, faculty, staff, etc.).
Ability to seek, receive, and use feedback for the improvement of both oneself and orientation programs.
Computer proficiency, including Google Applications (Docs, Sheets, Calendar, Forms, etc.) and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, etc.).
Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director of Orientation and Transition Programs or the Director of the Wahtera Center.

Work Environment and/or Physical Demands

The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The position requires a valid driver’s license for van certification.
The position often involves moving supplies (check-in packets, T-shirts, and other materials) and setting up (arranging tables and chairs) for events.
The position involves a considerable amount of walking/travel across campus.

Required University Training

Employee Safety Overview (online)
Anti-harassment, Discrimination, and Retaliation Training (online)
FERPA (Canvas)
MHFA (strongly encouraged)
SAA Student Employee Training
Van certification
Other as assigned

References

Two professional letters of reference are required.

At least one campus faculty or staff member.

Required Applicant Documents

Resume
Cover Letter

Additional Position Description

The Lead OES will serve as the leader for the following responsibilities:

Lead OES will attend all meetings with stakeholders (Student Leadership and Involvement, University Marketing and Communications, Memorial Union Board, Homestead Graphics). To ensure that OES is providing information that is relevant to Orientation Week.
The Lead OES and Assistant Director will have weekly one-on-ones with each OES member together, ensuring they are both held to the same deadlines.
They will ensure that OES is meeting deadlines and assist any OES members who need help with meeting those deadlines.
They will provide one team-building activity for the OES each month throughout the summer.
They will collaborate with the Assistant Director to review the feedback from the previous fall's students and OTLs, ensuring that we meet the needs and expectations of the incoming class.
L-OES will take the lead on planning and executing the University Welcome.
L-OES will collaborate with the Training Coordinator to ensure that the fall meeting is planned, communicated, and all presenters are invited to attend before O-Week.
Collaborate with the Assistant Director to manage the orientation timeline.
L-OES will assist with the planning, preparation, and execution of Summer Sessions and Fall O-Week.
L-OES will collaborate with the Logistics Coordinator to ensure that all rooms are booked, set up, and ready for Trainings, Staff Meetings, and O-Week. This includes, but is not limited to, Graduate Orientation, Staff Meeting Rooms, Team Meeting Rooms, Advisor/Department Meeting Rooms, and other designated areas.
L-OES will collaborate with the Communication Coordinator to coordinate video production, and photo opportunities throughout the Summer, and OTL training and O-Week.
L-OES will coordinate and provide staff flash cards for OES and the Assistant Director.

Orientation Executive Staff Expectations Contract

Orientation Executive Staff will:

Review Predecessor Report within two weeks of starting the position.
Review the previous Orientation Feedback within three weeks of starting the position.
Attend weekly check-in meetings with OES and professional staff. If you will be absent, please contact your supervisor in advance.
Abide by the dress code while in the office or when meeting with orientation stakeholders. At times, a more casual dress code is appropriate, and this will be communicated to OES when permitted (e.g., moving equipment/supplies, participating in outdoor activities, etc.).
Abide by the expected work hours outlined in the job description. This includes remote work conducted outside the physical office.
Abide by communication expectations with OES, Orientation Staff, professional staff, and other orientation stakeholders.
1. OES should select one consistent form of communication that works for all OES, Orientation Staff, and professional staff members (e.g., Discord, Google Workspace).
2. OES should respond to communication in a timely manner (24-48 hours during business days)
3. OES will communicate professionally with OES, Orientation Staff, professional staff, volunteers, and other orientation stakeholders
Abide by the chosen task-management system chosen by professional staff. This document outlines due dates, assigns responsibilities for specific tasks, and lists any necessary templates.
1. You are expected to adhere to the deadlines set in the task management system
Attend professional development sessions selected by professional staff
1. Office Etiquette and Structure of Student Affairs
2. Conflict Management
3. Addressing Burnout
4. Any Student Affairs Student Training modules (ex, FERPA, Safety, etc.)

Failure to abide by the previous expectations will result in the following consequences:

If an OES member has multiple first offenses for not meeting multiple expectations, the Assistant Director and Assistant Dean reserves the right to move forward with second, third, or fourth offense consequences.

First offense: Verbal discussion with supervisor (this may also include Lead OES when appropriate) to alert OES member about what expectation wasn’t met and that another offense would result in a written warning
Second offense: Written warning emailed to OES member from the Assistant Director, CC’ing the Assistant Dean
Third offense: Meeting with the Assistant Dean to discuss concerns, other consequences may be discussed during this meeting, and at the discretion of the Assistant Dean.
Fourth offense: Removal from position

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.