Job Listings

About Us
As a comprehensive institution of the University System of Georgia, Valdosta State University (VSU) is a welcoming, aware, and vibrant community founded on and dedicated to serving our communities' rich and diverse heritages. Through excellence in teaching, basic and applied research, and service, VSU provides rigorous programs and opportunities that enrich our students, our university, and our region. As such, the VSU mission consists of three interrelated parts that includes a student mission, university mission and regional mission. The university is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity and citizenship. As members of this community and proud Blazers we strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University, as stated in the Blazer Creed and reflected in our commitment to the University System of Georgia's Core Values.

Blazer Creed

Valdosta State University is a learning environment based on trust and mutual respect in which open dialogue, vigorous debate, and the free exchange of ideas are welcome. The University is equally dedicated to the core values of community, including a commitment to practice civility, integrity, and citizenship. As members of this community, and proud Blazers, we will strive to uphold these core values for the advancement of the University.

• Civility - A Blazer shows courtesy and compassion as well as respect for the dignity of every human being.
• Integrity - Each Blazer is responsible for his or her own actions, and our community is stronger when we contemplate the context of our decisions and uphold the principles of trust and honesty.
• Citizenship - Every Blazer has an interest in the well-being of the community, and, therefore, a duty to stay informed, to make positive contributions, and to offer support to those who need help.

As a Blazer, we pledge to uphold the core principles of Civility, Integrity, and Citizenship.

Job Summary
Manage and coordinate the operations of a unit or initiative of the university.

Responsibilities
Typical Allocation of Duties:

• Supervision of personnel - 30% 
  • Supervise personnel, which includes work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions.
• Manage and participate - 15%
  • Manage and participate in the daily operations of an assigned unit.
• Implementation - 15%
  • Develop or assist with the implementation of policies and procedures, systems, and processes.
• Researches new trends and developments - 15%
  • Research new trends and developments; presents recommendations as required.
• Participate in planning and goal setting - 10%
  • Participate in the development, implementation and maintenance of short-and long-range plans and goals.
• Develop and implement projects and programs - 10%
  • Develop and implement projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
• Department representative - 5%
  • Represent the department at various meetings, and committees; promote existing and new programs and/or policies.

Supervisor Expectations:

In addition to the following position specific expectations, the successful candidate for the position will also be expected to be knowledgeable about and provide support for other units within the department, including tutoring and success coaching through activities such as outreach related to academic alerts, classroom presentations, tabling at campus events like Open House, The Happening, and Destress Fest, and answering inquiries about all units housed within the Office of Student Success and Retention.

• Strategic Planning and Program Implementation
  • Lead planning, development, and implementation of comprehensive orientation programs that support new first-year and transfer students¿ successful transition to the university.
  • Oversee the scheduling, logistics, and staffing for Blazer Beginnings orientation events and Family programs.
  • Manage the online orientation portal, ensuring all information shared is accurate, up-to-date, and reflects current university policy, resources, and events. Regularly review and update content as needed to provide new students with reliable, timely information that supports their transition to the university.
  • Chair the Orientation Committee, ensuring collaboration with key university stakeholders to ensure program content aligns with institutional goals and enhances student success and family engagement.
• Data Driven Decision Making and Assessment
  • Set and track measurable objectives for all programs, using data to evaluate program effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
  • Analyze data on student participation, engagement, and outcomes to refine programs and optimize resource allocation.
  • Prepare reports and presentations to share program outcomes and insights with university leadership and other stakeholders.
• Resource Management
  • Oversee procurement and management of program materials and supplies.
  • Ensure fiscal responsibility through regular monitoring, reporting, and forecasting of revenue and expenditures.
  • Conduct regular budget reviews with Director (or designee) to monitor expenditures, adjust for program needs and ensure alignment with financial goals and to support effective budget planning and accountability.
  • Ensure resources are allocated efficiently and align with program priorities.
• Collaboration and Campus Partnership Building
  • Serve as liaison between Orientation & Family Programs and other university departments.
  • Build and maintain collaborative relationships with academic and administrative partners to enhance program experiences and ensure student and family needs are met.
  • Coordinate with the Associate Director of Admissions for Communication to ensure SLATE communication plan is up to date and accurate, and all message triggers are working as intended.
  • Serve as OSSR¿s representative on the division¿s SPARK committee.
• Team Leadership and Development
  • Design and implement a robust recruitment strategy to attract a diverse pool of qualified student staff, focusing on leadership potential and commitment to supporting new students.
  • Develop and facilitate a comprehensive training program that equips student staff with skills needed to succeed in their roles. Training should include customer service expectations, campus resource knowledge, group facilitation, problem solving, and inclusive practices.
  • Foster a positive and inclusive team culture that aligns with departmental, division, and institutional mission and values.
  • Provide ongoing mentorship and professional development opportunities to foster growth, build confidence, and empower student staff to function as effective ambassadors and peer leaders during Blazer Beginnings events and Family Programs.
• Crisis Management and Problem Solving
  • Serve as primary point of contact for issues that arise during Blazer Beginnings and Family Program events, providing calm and effective leadership in resolving conflicts and addressing family concerns.
  • Proactively identify potential issues related to logistics, student, or family needs, and implement solutions to ensure smoot operations.
  • Prepare contingency plans and communicate effectively with team members and stakeholders in the event of unexpected challenges (i.e., inclement weather).
• Innovation and Continuous Improvement
  • Seek out new ideas and best practices in Orientation and Family Programs, implementing innovative strategies to enhance student and family engagement.
  • Keep current with trends in higher education and orientation programming to ensure the unit¿s offerings remain relevant, inclusive, and supportive of diverse student populations.
• Compliance and Policy Adherence
  • Ensure programs comply with university policies, including health, safety, and accessibility requirements
  • Maintain confidentiality and follow FERPA guidelines when handling student and family information.
  • Oversee payment receipt and accounting by ensuring all fees and payments are collected, recorded, and reconciled in compliance with university accounting practices. Maintain secure handling of funds, timely deposits, and clear documentation to support financial transparency and accountability.

Required Qualifications
Required Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a specified field and three (3) years of related work experience. Professional licensure, certification, and/or designation may be required in some areas.

Proposed Salary
$62,158

USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Conditions of Employment
Applicants are required to provide:

• professional references with current contact information
• documentation of academic credentials
• employment history

Please note that during the search process, VSU reserves the right to:

• ask candidates who will serve in Positions of Trust to disclose criminal record history during the initial screening process and prior to a conditional offer of employment,
• view social media outlets, and
• remove job postings without additional notification.

Employment is contingent upon:

• successful completion of a background check investigation, including a criminal background check
• reference checks

Employment may also be contingent upon the job-based requirements if applicable for your position:

• satisfactory credit check
• successful completion of a Motor Vehicle Report (MVR)
• pre-employment drug testing
• confirmation of credentials

After initial hiring, employees will be required to successfully complete all of the following training:

• New employee orientation
• VSU's Annual Compliance Training:
  • USG Ethics Policy
  • Conflict of Interest/Outside Activities Policy
  • Drug Free Workplace
  • Sexual Misconduct and Title IX
  • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
  • Motor Vehicle Policy
  • Workers Compensation (new hires)
  • Georgia Open Records Act (new hires)
• USG Cybersecurity Training (required twice yearly)
  • Job-specific training such as: FMLA and Worker's Compensation, Budget Manager training, Purchasing Training (ePro & PCard), and Defensive Driving

Equal Employment Opportunity
Valdosta State University is an equal opportunity educational institution. It is not the intent of the institution to discriminate against any applicant for admission or any student or employee of the institution based on the age, sex, race, religion, color, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation of the individual.

Background Check

• Position of Trust + Credit

Accommodations
If you are a qualified individual with a disability, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings, apply for a job on this site, or participate in the search process as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by contacting Catherine Wills, in the Office of Human Resources at croark@valdosta.edu.