Student Assistant | Peer Advisor I

A successful Peer Advisor I shall have the primary responsibility of supporting first-year students (freshmen and transfers) during their onboarding and preliminary matriculation at Florida Memorial University. The Peer Advisor I works with individual students via New Student Orientation, the First-Year Experience seminars and events, and in an academic support capacity in Center for Academic Resources and Support (CARS). The Peer Advisor I interacts and communicates with students, parents, faculty, and staff to help create smooth pathways for new students’ transition to the University and their persistence towards graduation.

Essential Duties

• Assist in the coordination of, preparation for, and implementation of New Student Orientation during the Summer (pre-Fall) and prior to the Spring term; manage day-of logistics and problem-solving with students and campus partners that supports a smooth student onboarding experience.
• Be knowledgeable about and provide essential information to new and first-year students regarding academic success and campus resources (i.e., academic advising, student life, library, career services) and University policies (i.e. Protecting the Pride Plan, campus safety/emergency, housing protocols).
• Assist and offer leadership for all First-Year Experience (New Student Orientation, Convocation, Common Reading, FYE seminars).
• Co-teach the first-year seminar course(s) (FMU 101 Orientation to the University Life; “FMU” 102 Thinking Critically in the Discipline). Collaborate with the lead instructor on lesson planning each week.
• Fall and Spring terms: Make weekly mentoring contacts with assigned first-year students to develop an enduring, trusting relationship that helps them develop effective study strategies and life skills.  Serve as an academic peer role model that encourages students to attend their classes, complete their assignments, seek help when they are experiencing difficulties.
• Train and troubleshoot with students on essential University technology, including campus credentials and e-mail setup (CyberZone), registration/enrollment (MyFMU portal/Jenzabar), and learning management (Blackboard).
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as required or deemed appropriate to the accomplishments of the responsibilities and functions of CARS.
• The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that logically relate to the position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrate a high level of professionalism, initiative, resourcefulness, and personal accountability.
• Students must be able to attend regular training sessions.
• Ability to handle information of sensitive and confidential nature in the utmost professional manner.
• Excellent communication (oral and written), organizational, and time management skills.
• Effective public speaking skills for a small or large group presentation to students.
• Effective interpersonal and customer service skills along with the ability to work with diverse constituents.
• Attention to detail and adaptability to a changing environment is extremely important as well as dependability.
• Knowledge and understanding of the organizational structure, workflow, and operating procedures.
• Ability to provide feedback verbally, and via regular, written reports.
• Proficiency in MS Office Applications (Outlook, Teams, Forms, OneDrive, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and social media.
• Proficiency in Adobe Acrobat or other online document processors.
• Moderate physical activity. Requires handling objects of average-weight up to fifty (50) pounds or standing and/or walking for more than four (4) hours per day.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled as an FMU student (current and approaching Fall and Spring term) and clear the business office by the posted deadline each term.
• Must possess and maintain a 2.75 cumulative GPA or higher and be in satisfactory academic standing. (3.0 preferred)
• Must be in good standing with the Office of Residence Life and have no disciplinary actions with the Student Conduct Division.
• Must have earned at least 30 hours of undergraduate credit or have been an FMU student for at least one term. (Two terms at FMU preferred)
• Ability to follow as well as lead; Team-oriented;
• Sensitive to different types of learners and individual styles.
• Takes pride in Florida Memorial University and being an FMU student.
• Flexibility to work some evenings, early mornings, and weekends.
• Must have a clean criminal record and drug test results.

Qualified applicants are asked to upload a cover letter of interest, resume/curriculum vitae, and/or certifications, if applicable.