Orientation Leaders, commonly known as OLs, are an integral part of every first year student’s success on the New Paltz campus. As one of the first faces that a new student comes to know, OLs are ‘goodwill ambassadors’ trained to help an incoming first year student feel comfortable about their new “home away from home”. Each Orientation Leader is carefully trained to be able to help make a new student’s adjustment easier. On top of showing students around, the OL helps students feel more comfortable about the college transition by answering their questions about college and college life, helping them bond with other students through a series of activities, and facilitating workshops on common first-year issues.
After Orientation is over, an OL is still an active part of their students’ lives. For the rest of the school year, the OL acts as a Peer Mentor for their students. An Orientation Leader/Peer Mentor is at once a contact, a friend, a role model and a source of support for first year students when they are needed.
Please visit www.newpaltz.edu/studentengagement for more information about our office.
OL Information Sessions
Attend an OPTIONAL Information Session about the Orientation Leader Position and Application
Tuesday, February 13 at 5:00pm, SUB 62/63
Wednesday, February 14 at 1:00pm, SUB 62/63
Thursday, February 15 at 7:00pm, SUB 62/63
Qualifications
- Be a current full-time, matriculated New Paltz student who will be returning to campus for the Fall 2024 – Spring 2025 academic year
- A cumulative Grade Point Average of at least 2.75 at the time you apply, and a 2.75 Cumulative GPA at the end of the Spring 2024 semester
- Not planning to take summer courses in 2024
- Have completed one full semester at New Paltz
- Have an active Co-Curricular transcript
- Have a desire to learn how to work with groups of people
Responsibilities
- Attend all application and training programs
- Act as a representative of the State University of New York, promoting a positive image of yourself, the program and the University
- Work as a member of a large team of students, staff and faculty
- Fully prepare for the arrival of students and family members by setting up residence hall buildings and preparing rooms for guests each week
- Lead small group sessions and acquaint visitors with campus services
- Serve as a residential peer counselor on a live-in basis for the overnight programs
- Act as a disciplinary official when necessary to assure compliance with College, local, state and national regulations
- Live in and attend all work-related days and evenings
- Follow all designated policies regarding guests and legal social behavior
- Earn an extra stipend as you round out the full year by serving as a Peer Mentor to your students
- Attend one staff meeting a month during the year (failure to attend these may result in a payroll deduction)
- All necessary duties as assigned by Orientation Staff
Salary and Benefits
$15 per hour (29 hrs. per week, approximately 7 weeks)
- Single room and meals provided throughout training and summer program sessions (a $1,500 value)
- An additional $600 stipend during the 2024–2025 school year
- Staff shirts and materials are provided
- Gain great leadership experience, learn a lot about the campus, its services and network with professional staff and faculty
- Spend the summer in New Paltz!
- Additional earnings for non-RA’s who work International Orientation in the Spring
Orientation Leader Selection Timeline:
Thursday, February 1 @ 9am
Applications open. Application materials include resume, an unofficial copy of your co-curricular transcript, short answer questions, and the name and contact information of one reference. Application materials must be submitted electronically via the form at the bottom of the page.
Friday, February 23 @ 4pm
Application due. Candidates who do not meet the minimum qualifications, and/or those who do not have complete application packages will be notified of their ineligibility to continue in the selection process via New Paltz email by Friday, February 24 at 5pm.
Tuesday, February 27 by 5pm
Candidates will receive an email by 5pm regarding whether or not they are invited to continue in the Orientation Leader Selection Process.
Monday, March 4 through Friday, March 15
First Round Interviews for invited candidates.
Wednesday, March 20 by 5pm
Candidates notified via New Paltz e-mail by 5pm whether or not they are invited to continue in the Orientation Leader Selection Process.
Monday, April 1 through Friday, April 5
Second Round Interviews for invited candidates.
Monday, April 8 by 5pm
Candidates will be notified of hiring decisions by New Paltz e-mail by 5pm; candidates who are offered positions will receive instructions for acceptance.
