Employment

Program Specialist - Involvement - Student Affairs - 21852 - UWW Internal Only

 

ATTENTION:

 

The University Center at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater seeks a Program Specialist - Involvement (Student Affairs Program Specialist, AE192). 

 

This is an internal posting for current UW-Whitewater employees. Applicants who currently are not employed by UW-Whitewater in a qualifying category will not be considered. After review of internal applicants, the position may be opened for public application.

 

JOB DETAILS:

 

The Program Specialist - Involvement is part of a team whose individual responsibilities include oversight of Involvement Programming (primary); UC Live Programming (secondary); Homecoming (secondary), Student Organization Recognition, Outreach and Support (primary); Unit Social Media Management; Customer Service Assistant Management (primary); Connect2 Expert Trainer.  A successful candidate will show commitment to the institution and evening, and weekend hours will be necessary.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

 

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree is required and related work experience preferably in higher education
  • 2 years of experience in organization and individual student advisement at a college/university setting or event planning is required. 
  • Commitment to student development issues, teaching ability and the ability to assess student needs and develop programs to meet those needs. 
  • Sensitivity to students and an ability to relate on many different levels to the unique student, faculty/staff, and community contacts this position encounters is also essential. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • A helpful service orientation.
  • Ability to establish positive and productive relationships with co-workers.
  • Strong interpersonal communication skills.
  • Be organized and self-directed.
  • Technology skills will enable one to be successful in this role.
  • Sensitivity to others and an ability to relate on many different levels to the diverse student, faculty, and community contacts this position will encounter.
  • Able to represent the unit, department and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in a positive manner.
  • Ability to interact respectfully with people with diverse socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds
  • Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills
     

RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

Unit and Campus-wide:

  1. Represent the department to the University community and external constituencies, and Alumni. Ensure the department is well respected by those we serve (including students, faculty, University administration, parents, and employers) by effectively sharing the success and contribution of the department to the University’s mission and strategic plan.
  2. Develop successful, collaborative relationships within and outside of the University community in order to enhance student learning and achieve the department’s mission and goals.
  3. With the Assistant Director of Student Activities and Involvement, collaborate across departments and divisions to develop and promote a consistent message about the value of student engagement within the co-curriculum.
  4. Plan and implement major events sponsored by the department. This includes co-advising undergraduate Homecoming and UC Live as well as serving as lead Involvement programmer (fairs, engagement, etc).
  5. Oversee digital and social media presence of the unit, including Instagram and Facebook.
  6. Manage front desk processes including hiring, training, and supervision team of 10+ undergraduate student employees. Create and maintain processes, intra office communication, scheduling, and establish and maintain high customer service expectations.
  7. Provide direction, scheduling, oversight and creation of Online Education tools & resources for Student Organizations (eLead video-based education, etc).
  8. Coordinate management of Student Organization Liaison program.
  9. Provide support for comprehensive database Connect2 which includes being an expert and trainer of the system.
  10. Serve on various University Committees as assigned.

Budgetary:

  1. Oversees and requests the Homecoming non-allocable budget and fundraising ($12,000) including budget request and hearing participation and following purchasing protocols.
  2. Manages budget spending for SAI desk staff ($40,000).

Advising and Supervising:

  1. Direct Supervision: Art Workshops Intern (1), UC Live Social Media Intern (1); Involvement Interns (2); SAI Social Media Intern (1); Customer Service Associates (10)
  2. Shared Supervision: Homecoming Interns (2)
  3. Indirect Supervision: UC Live (6), SAI Interns (25) and Student Organization Leaders and Advisors (600). 
  4. Advising, with support of co-advisor, the Homecoming Steering Committee (12-21) 

Programmatic - Tradition Events:

  1. Plan and implement major events sponsored by the unit. This includes Involvement Fairs, Homecoming activities, welcome-related entertainment events, and other events as directed.
  2. Serve on the Integrated Programming and Response team.
  3. Assist as needed with any department/campus wide event as directed.

Programmatic - Student Organization Program Implementation and Management:

  1. Under the advisement of Assistant Director of Student Activities and Involvement, administer the Student Organization Program, including the recognition process for student organizations; oversee services provided by the office to recognized Student Organizations; maintain official records of all Recognized Student Organizations; serve as a resource for student organization leadership and advisors; oversee public lists of Recognized Student Organizations.
  2. Utilize Navigate to assist with connecting students and involvement opportunities.
     

Supervision Received:

General supervision received from the UC Assistant Director Student Activities & Involvement.
 

Supervision Exercised:

Direct supervision of the Involvement Interns (3); Homecoming Steering Committee Chairs and Committee (12-22); Customer Service Assistants (10+) 
 

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION:

 

UW-Whitewater is a thriving public university located in southeastern Wisconsin. It leads the way in providing world-class, affordable higher education programs to more students than neighboring regional comprehensives in the University of Wisconsin System. A collaborative team of 1,300 faculty and staff are devoted to the success of the university's 11,000 students at its main and Rock County campuses. The team provides high-impact practices and academic programs - online and in person - from associate to doctoral levels. Recognized nationally for affordability, inclusion, and career development, UWW has approximately one-third first-generation students and boasts strength in many areas, especially business and education. The campus and community embrace the Warhawk Family spirit, supporting the university's arts and nationally recognized NCAA Division-III level championship athletics. As a proud institution of access, more than 10 percent of undergraduate students use the acclaimed Center for Students with Disabilities - a priority mission since the 1970s.

UW-Whitewater's campuses are located centrally near Milwaukee, Madison, and Chicago, offering easy access to the cultural and commercial opportunities of major metropolitan areas. Near both Lake Geneva and the Wisconsin Dells, the area attracts numerous visitors from across the country. Whitewater is a vibrant college community near the Kettle Moraine State Forest offering area residents seasonal outdoor enjoyment. The nearby Rock County campus is located in Janesville, a town of 60,000 located on the Rock River and known as Wisconsin's Park Place.

Belonging and mattering are central to the university's culture, and UW-Whitewater strives to maintain an environment where individual and collective efforts are valued and celebrated. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer, and actively seeks and encourages applications from women, people of color, persons with disabilities, and veterans.

 

ORGANIZATION INFORMATION:

 

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is part of the 13-campus University of Wisconsin System (https://www.wisconsin.edu).

Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(b) provides that applicants may indicate in writing that their identity should be kept confidential. In response to a public records request, the University will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful final candidate will be released. See Wisconsin Statute 19.36(7)(a).

Per Regent Policy Document 20-19, University of Wisconsin System Criminal Background Check Policy and UW System Administrative Policy 1275 Recruitment Policies, UW-Whitewater requires criminal background checks as a contingency to employment. A criminal background check will be conducted prior to an offer of employment. All final candidates must be asked, prior to hire, whether they have been found to have engaged in, are currently under investigation for, or left employment during an active investigation in which they were accused of sexual violence or sexual harassment. When obtaining employment reference checks, these same sexual violence or sexual harassment questions must also be asked.

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater requires that all employees be active participants in following applicable safety rules and regulations including necessary training and drills.

For UW-Whitewater Campus safety information and crime statistics/annual Security Report, see Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. If you would like a paper copy of the report please contact the UW-Whitewater Police at 262-472-4660.

 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

 

Well-qualified candidates can expect a starting annual salary commensurate with the candidate’s education, related experience, and qualifications.

UW System employees receive an excellent benefit package. To learn more about the UW System’s comprehensive benefit package, review the UW System Employee Benefits Brochure.

 

CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT:

 

University of Wisconsin-Whitewater does not offer H-1B or other work authorization visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain work authorization throughout the employment term. If you have questions regarding this, please contact Human Resources. UW-Whitewater is not an e-verify employer, therefore STEM extensions are not options for work authorization.

 

TO ENSURE CONSIDERATION:

 

Applications received by June 3rd, 2025 are ensured full consideration. Applications received after that date may be given consideration at the discretion of the search committee. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

If you have questions regarding this recruitment or if you are unable to complete the application online due to a disability or system problem, please contact us at (262) 472-1024 or hr@uww.edu 

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

JoEllen Shelton

262-472-1511

sheltonj@UWW.edu 

 

TO  APPLY:

 

Only complete application packages will be considered. This includes online submission of the following documents:

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • Name and contact information for three professional references

This Job ID is 21852.

 

Application Links:

A current employee of the University of Wisconsin System, click here:

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