GEO Summer Orientations Coordinator

Every year GEO must conduct orientations for 800-1,000 incoming graduate assistants. These orientations are vital in educating new members about their union and encouraging them to become active participants. Additionally, most departments allow GEO to participate in their own orientations for incoming graduate students. The Orientations Coordinator has primary responsibility for organizing these orientations and ensuring that they are positive, efficient, and informative.

Strong preference will be given to GEO members that have previous GEO experience, including active participation with campaigns and committees. All current graduate students are eligible to apply. Applicants should be committed to the general principles of social justice and collective action.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

1.  Writing and sending a letter to all incoming graduate students explaining GEO’s role on campus.

2.  Preparing educational materials such as the Membership Guide and the talking tips for the orientations in coordination with the Summer Organizer.

3.  Recruiting and training volunteers as necessary to conduct orientations.

4.  Developing knowledge of the GEO contract, grievance procedures and other union issues likely to concern new graduate student employees.

5.  Corresponding with the Graduate School and individual departments to coordinate the times and places of various orientations across campus.

The Summer Orientations Coordinator should thus have strong interpersonal skills, a strong sense of follow-through, and should be a proficient writer and public speaker.

All employees are expected to devote a portion of their paid working hours to office management tasks (i.e., holding office hours, answering phones, taking messages, in-taking grievances, greeting members, etc.) and to attend meetings as required, including regular staff meetings. Some night and weekend hours may be required. All GEO employees should also demonstrate a willingness to work towards the union’s collective goals and a commitment to being a part of an organization that is fighting for progressive change on the UMass campus and beyond.

This position is for 10 hours a week for 6 weeks from August 1^st, 2010 to September 15, 2010, or for an equivalent number of hours as determined by a decision reached by GEO leadership in consultation with the Summer Orientations Coordinator. The salary is the same as the average campus-wide stipend. GEO/UAW Local 2322 will provide training. People of color and women are encouraged to apply. In some cases, funding for these positions will come from UAW Local 2322.  In those cases, applicants must legally qualify for an internship with a non-university organization (UAW Local 2322).  This position is dependent on approval from the Steward’s Assembly.

In order to apply, please submit:

1. A resume.
2. A cover letter stating the reasons you are interested in the position and your qualifications.
3. A completed GEO Staff Application Form (see here).
4. Be prepared to bring proof of your student status to your interview (e.g. a letter from your GPD confirming your status).

Applications should be emailed to hiring@geouaw.org by 5pm on Friday, April 9^th, 2010.  Please indicate which position you are applying for in the subject line of the email.