Career Center

Student Unions & Activities (SUA) is accepting applications for the position of Student Activities Specialist - Student Group Services. The Specialist is responsible for supporting student development through supervising a student employee and providing resources to student group leaders.  This position will specifically have responsibilities for facilitating the student group grants process, assisting with other student group initiatives, and advising a student group. Other responsibilities will include ensuring student group compliance with University policies and permits, acting as an advisor and interpreter of policy to student groups and being a liaison to the University and its constituents. 

Important to Know: Flexible hybrid work expectation is to be in-person, on-campus 2 days per week.

Student Group Services – Grants  (35%)
● Assist in oversight and support for the implementation of the Student Activities Grants program.
● Create, evaluate and implement policies and procedures for the facilitation of grants to student groups and campus departments.
● Develops and conducts online educational sessions and advising resources throughout the academic year to ensure student group understanding of the grants program.
● Assist with the management of agreements with grants funding sources and initiatives for the Student Unions & Activities Grants program on an annual basis.
● Plan, forecast, monitor and allocate annual budget in excess of $300,000 for the operation of the Student Unions & Activities Grants program.
● Oversee relationship with Coca-Cola representatives in support of grant programming including management of product grants and representation on the grants review committee
● Coordinate monthly grants review committee meetings throughout the year ensuring consistent evaluation of grants to ensure funding for programs, resources, and services to support an inclusive and diverse University community.
● Collaborate with SUA Marketing Managers to promote and maintain awareness of the Student Unions & Activities Grants program.
● Oversee the coordination of program assessment and evaluation to ensure the grants program is meeting intended goals.
● Consults on the creation of initiatives and efficiencies to ensure a high performing grants program that meets the needs on campus and emphasizes enhancing diversity, promoting student development, and benefiting the campus community
● Other duties and special projects as assigned.


Supervision (45%)
● Supervise and evaluate the Student Unions & Activities Student Grants Assistant who is responsible for implementation of Grants program processes from accepting group applications to maintenance of the grants database.
● Supervise and evaluate the Student Unions and Activities Student Group Initiatives Assistants who are responsible for the implementation of Activities Fairs, Tony Diggs Excellence Awards, campus-wide elections, and the admin support of the Student Activities Office.
● Provide opportunities for the Grants Assistant and Student Group Initiatives Assistants to develop skills pertaining to presenting, facilitating meetings, decision-making, problem-solving, managing confidential information, and developing autonomy.
● Support Grants Assistant as they recruit and train volunteer students and staff to sit on the Grants Review Committee.

Student Group Recognition Events (10%)
● Plan, implement, and evaluate opportunities for recognition of Student Groups through events, initiatives and support services.
● Work with SUA Events and Activities to promote and maintain awareness of the events, initiatives and support services throughout the year.
● Collaborate with the Student Events and Entertainment Team to generate innovative ideas for student group recognition.

General Duties and Responsibilities (10%)
● Advise and consult with registered student groups on student group registration, policy and procedures, conflict resolution, problem solving, event planning and risk management.
● Assist in the creation and development of student group policies and procedures related to assigned areas and assist with Student Group Registration Process.
● Work with colleagues in Student Unions & Activities to offer programs, resources, and services to support an inclusive and diverse University community.
● Assist in Student Activities outreach and community-building efforts through presentations, tabling, and workshop facilitation.
● Other duties and special projects as assigned.

 

Essential Qualifications:
A Bachelor’s degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal four years.  Experience participating in student groups or student programming. Excellent organizational skills, effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work with diverse groups of people. Position requires some flexibility in schedule to work occasional weekends/evenings at events/meetings outside of regular business hours.

Preferred Qualifications:
Experience working with students and student groups in a college/university environment. Knowledge of student development, event planning and programming. Experience participating in student groups or student programming. Proficiency in using event planning/organizational software such as; Google-sheets/forms/docs, Microsoft Office – Excel/Word. Additional experience or education in student
development, student affairs or related academic areas. Experience working with organization
management software or learning management software (Presence).

About University of Minnesota, Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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