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.

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV"
2. Cover letter to be typed/pasted into a text box at the end of the application

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions (such as typing).

Occasionally during outdoor events, incumbents may not be protected from weather conditions and may be exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold. Incumbents may be required to lift, push, and/or pull objects up to 50 pounds and be required to walk and/or stand for long periods of time.

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls 28,900 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU Online educates students from all 50 states and 55 countries. For over 25 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns in all of Utah’s counties.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by conference championships in multiple sports, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU. 

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu. 

*updated 02/2025

In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination including harassment in employment including in hiring, promotion, transfer, or termination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy or any other federal, state, or local law.

Utah State University does not discriminate in its housing offerings and will treat all persons fairly and equally without regard to race, color, religion, sex, familial status, disability, national origin, source of income, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Additionally, the University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations when necessary and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities.

In all circumstances, Utah State University follows state and federal laws related to sex-segregated spaces.

The following individuals have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations and/or USU’s non-discrimination policies:

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

Denver Regional Office

303-844-5695| OCR.Denver@ed.gov

U.S. Department of Education

Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 |  OCR@ed.gov

*updated 06/2025