Orientation and Onboarding Specialist

Utah State University is seeking a highly detail?oriented professional to join the Student Orientation and Transition Services (SOTS) team. This position plays a central role in shaping how students and their families begin their journey at USU.The Orientation and Onboarding Specialist (Program Coordinator II) leads systemwide onboarding and orientation efforts, ensuring newly enrolled students receive a seamless, accurate, and personalized introduction to the university. Much of this work takes place behind the scenes and requires significant technical accuracy. The specialist uses software tools, data structures, and coding frameworks to segment students correctly, deliver tailored communication flows, and support a polished experience across all USU campuses.The specialist also develops, supervises, and mentors a team that includes one full-time position and several 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. Our office centers its work around four core values: impact, growth, connection, and innovation.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 orientation for the USU system, aligning programs with institutional goals and the needs of students attending in Logan, throughout the state, and online.Supervise, train, and mentor professional and student staff reporting to this position, including the A-Team student leaders.Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to the program coordinator who oversees the A?Team, offering expertise, coaching, and support to strengthen the A?Team student experience and elevate the overall leadership program.Develop training, customer service standards, and staff development practices that support high?quality student experiences.Design, code, and deliver segmented onboarding communications for approximately 40 student types across all entry terms.Oversee the accuracy and quality of the online orientation serving all campuses, including 200+ meta?tagged slides of content.Manage a team providing high?volume student support via text, email, and phone channels.Direct Logan in?person orientation sessions, including logistics, staffing, and budgets.Collaborate with campus partners to create tailored experiences for international, transfer, returning, and other unique student groups.Serve as the departmental lead for Advantage Orientation, Blackthorn, Modern Campus Message, and relevant software platforms, managing data integrations and staff training.Use dashboards and data tools (e.g., Encoura, Salesforce, Qualtrics) to guide program enhancements.Maintain strong relationships with campus partners and represent the office in key leadership meetings.Manage budgets and financial reporting for orientation and onboarding-related programs.Minimum QualificationsBachelor's degree and two years of progressively responsible related experience, including at least one year of supervisory experience, OR an equivalent combination of education and experience with at least one year of supervisory experience may also be considered.Experience managing large-scale programs, projects, or software platforms.Preferred QualificationsExperience with orientation or onboarding programs or a related field at an educational institution.Demonstrated experience in managing communication strategies across different 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 AbilitiesFamiliarity with or ability to gain knowledge of messaging logic, coding frameworks, and technical processes used to segment and communicate with multiple student groups. Training is provided for USU-specific systems.Strong understanding of student development theory, onboarding best practices, and transition programming, with the ability to apply these concepts in designing effective support for various student populations.Excellent written and verbal communication skills that support clear, accurate, and audience-appropriate messaging.Demonstrated skill in building collaborative relationships across departments, programs, and administrative levels.Skill in communicating confidently and professionally with associate deans, faculty, administrators, and staff.Skill in connecting authentically and communicating effectively with student leaders and student staff.Ability to process, recall, and accurately apply detailed technical information across varied scenarios.Along with the online application, please attach:Resumeto be uploaded at the beginning of your application inthe CandidateProfile under “Resume/CV”Cover letterto be typed/pasted at the end of your application**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**$52,100 plus excellent benefitsEmployees usually 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 over 29,800 students, both online and in person atlocations 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 educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.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 recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who willchampion 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 namedUtah State the best employer in Utahin 2023.Learn moreabout USU.The university provides aDual Career Assistance Programto support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.Additionally,USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation 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 12/2025In 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:Matthew PinnerExecutive Director Civil Rights & Title IX 435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 401D1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322Cody CarmichaelTitle IX Coordinator 435-797-1266 | Old Main Rm. 402D1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact: U.S. Department of Education Denver Regional Office303-844-5695| of Education Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights800-421-3481 | 10/2025

Created: 2026-02-06