Temporary Coordinator of First-Year Experience & Family Programs

General Summary of Position

The Temporary Coordinator of First-Year Experience & Family Programs will plays pivotal role in enhancing the transition and engagement of new students as well as their families at the University of Massachusetts Boston. Under the supervision of the Director and Assistant Director of New Student & Family Programs this position will help implement and assess transition and family engagement programs that promote student success, retention, and a sense of belonging by fostering a diverse, inclusive, and supportive environment on a 24/7 campus. The Coordinator will support planning and execution of large-scale programming offered by the office, including New Student Orientation, Family Orientation, Family Weekend, and First-Gen Week.

This is a part-time, temporary, non-unit, non-benefitted position

Examples of Duties

Student Success Services & Programming

• Host innovative programs and initiatives that support first-year and transfer student transition, retention, academic success, and sense of belonging during their first year at UMass Boston.
• Support the Director with planning and implementation of programming for first-generation college students, including First-Gen Week and the Tri-Alpha Induction and Graduation Ceremonies.
• Support the Assistant Director of New Student & Family Programs with orientation planning by coordinating schedules, session logistics, room reservations, and program materials to ensure seamless execution of orientation programs.
• Support day-of orientation logistics, including registration check-in, staff and student leader coordination, vendor and campus partner support, troubleshooting, and real-time problem solving to ensure a positive experience for students and families.
• Collaborate with campus partners and orientation leaders to support event flow, accessibility needs, and adherence to program timelines during orientation programs.
• Assist with post-orientation communication and follow-up by coordinating timely outreach to students and families, sharing key resources and next steps, and supporting transition initiatives that reinforce orientation messaging and promote continued engagement.

Family Engagement

• Establish and maintain effective communication channels with families and student supporters by managing the Beacon Family Hub, a family communications portal that provides up-to-date information, resources, and news.
• Assist with the planning of Family Weekend to foster connections between families/supporters and the university community.
• Develop and facilitate family workshops on topics such as academic support, mental health resources, and navigating university policies, empowering families to be effective partners in their student’s success.
• Serve as a key resource for families/supporters, addressing inquiries and providing guidance to enhance their understanding of the university experience.

Assessment

• Analyze data collected from departmental surveys to inform program improvements and strategic planning.
• Prepare data for the orientation, family weekend, and first-gen week annual reports and presentations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree required.
• 0-1 year of experience working with orientation, first-year experience, student transitions, family programming, or related fields, preferably in higher education.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, with flexibility in scheduling.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and familiarity with other standard software programs and databases.
• Experience in building collaborative partnerships with campus offices, programs, and community organizations resulting in measurable outcomes.
• Experience with event planning and assessment.
• Commitment to working successfully with at-risk and culturally diverse student populations.
• Strong oral, written, interpersonal, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong commitment to customer service.

Supervision Received

Reports directly to the Director of New Student & Family Programs.

Supervision Exercised

Functional supervision of student staff during departmental events.

Compensation & Hours

$25.00/hour.  Non-Benefitted-Non-Union. Up to 30 hours per week (orientation weeks may have extended hours).

Employment Dates

Desired start date is April 1, 2026 or when position is filled and runs to October 1, 2026 with potential for contract extension.