Student Orientation & Parent Outreach Specialists

Utah State University is seeking two professionals to join our Student Orientation and Transition Services (SOTS) team, each playing a pivotal role in shaping how students and families begin their journey at USU. We are hiring from a single applicant pool to fill two distinct positions: Parent and Transition Specialist and Orientation and Onboarding Specialist. Applicants should indicate in their cover letter which position(s) they are interested in being considered for.

Review of applications will begin July 7, 2025 and the positions will remain open until filled.

Both roles are deeply rooted in student development and institutional impact.

• The Parent and Transition Specialist (Program Coordinator II) leads Parent and Family Programs across the USU system and oversees student transition initiatives that support a successful start at the university. This role manages strategic communications with over 30,000 families, coordinates a statewide network of parent liaisons, and develops programming that fosters connection and belonging for both students and their families. The specialist also directs the USU 1010 Connections Peer Mentor program and manages the logistical operations of the USU 1010 course in Logan.

• The Orientation and Onboarding Specialist (Program Coordinator II) leads onboarding and orientation efforts across the USU system, ensuring confirmed students begin their experience with a seamless and personalized introduction to the university. This role designs and implements strategic communication plans and orientation programming, both online and in-person, using data tools and coding to deliver tailored experiences. The specialist also manages a team of student employees who support onboarding initiatives and serve as key connectors between new students and the USU community.

We are passionate about Utah State University, its land-grant mission, and helping students find their path to higher education. We guide incoming students, and their supporters, as they navigate the enrollment and transition processes. We value professional development, student success, and the culture of excellence that defines the Aggie community.

As a benefitted USU employee, you will receive: 14.2% of gross income paid to a retirement account, 13 paid holidays per year, 22 vacation days per year, 12 days of sick leave per year, excellent health and dental insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, and tuition reduction benefits. Explore the full list of benefits at ://www.usu.edu/hr/benefits/.

Parent and Transition Specialist:

• Lead university Parent and Family Programs, overseeing the creation and distribution of the newsletter, developing and implementing events including Parent Orientation and Parent and Family Weekend, and managing individual communications with parents and supporters.
• Design and implement first-semester transition experiences, using social media, software platforms, peer mentors, and in-person programming to help students connect to USU during their first semester.
• Oversee the USU 1010 Connections course scheduling and logistics for over 3,000 students in Logan, and oversee the Connections Peer Mentor program.
• Coordinate with campus partners to ensure consistent, relevant communication and support for students and families throughout the statewide system.
• Serve as the departmental lead for CampusESP and relevant software platforms, ensuring accurate data integration and user experience.
• Supervise professional and student staff reporting to this position, providing training and mentorship.
• Manage budgets, course fees, and financial reporting for parent and transition-related programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and use data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.

Orientation and Onboarding Specialist:

• Lead onboarding communications and orientation programming for diverse student populations of incoming students.
• Provide hyper-personalized, cohesive communication to approximately 40 different student types throughout the USU system, ensuring students entering fall, spring, and summer semesters are appropriately segmented.
• Design and manage online orientation modules serving the USU system and develop and coordinate in-person orientation events in Logan.
• Serve as the departmental lead for Advantage Orientation, VZ Orientation/Blackthorn, Modern Campus Message, and relevant software platforms, ensuring accurate data integration and user experience.
• Coordinate enrollment support and supplemental orientation materials for unique student groups including international, transfer, returning, and non-matriculated, students.
• Supervise and train professional and student staff reporting to this position, including the A-Team student leadership program.
• Oversee response systems for high-volume student inquiries via text, email, and phone.
• Manage budgets and financial reporting for orientation and onboarding-related programs.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and use data to inform strategy and continuous improvement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree plus two years of progressively responsible related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with leading teams, supervising staff, and/or managing large-scale programs or projects.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with orientation, onboarding, parent and family programs, or a related field at an educational institution.
• Demonstrated experience in managing communication strategies across diverse populations.
• Experience working within a multi-campus or statewide university system.
• Experience managing budgets and reconciling financial accounts in accordance with institutional policy.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic plans and contributing to long-term organizational goals.
• Experience with CRM systems, communication platforms, or orientation software (e.g., Salesforce, Modern Campus, VZ Orientation).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a strong attention to detail and audience segmentation.
• Ability to learn to code messaging and programming for a variety of student groups (training is provided for USU-specific systems).
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate across departments and work effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively with parents, USU supporters, associate deans, faculty, administration, and staff.
• Ability to communicate confidently with and connect with a variety of student leaders and staff.
• Ability to handle difficult conversations, especially with parents and supporters of students.
• Strong understanding of student development theory, and best practices in orientation, onboarding, transition, or parent and family programs.