Student Posting : Orientation Intern

Thank you for your interest in becoming an Orientation Intern (O-tern).

We are looking for hard-working and dedicated individuals who are ready to serve on the 2027 Orientation team.

Please read this Position Description carefully to ensure you fully understand the position’s selection process and expectations.

Selection Process:

• Review this Position Description and Mandatory Dates to be sure you understand the role of an Orientation Intern and the time commitment of the job.
• Complete and submit the application before 11:59pm Sunday, September 6, 2026. Note: The application requires some basic information, a resume, and a cover letter.
• Applications will be reviewed starting Monday, September 7, 2026 with possible interviews being extended just after.
• All candidates will be notified of their selection status before September 28, 2026.

Opportunities and Responsibilities : This role is modeled like a true internship.

There will be one-time projects and recurring responsibilities throughout the duration of the position; some will build off of previous projects and others will separately support the OAR program.

Likely, Interns will be responsible for one or more of the following distinct roles:

• Orientation Leader Recruitment and Hiring ○ Design and distribute recruitment flyers and digital signage ○ Coordinate tabling and club/classroom visits ○ Sit in on Orientation Leader interviews and help select the 2027 OL Team
• Orientation Leader Retreat ○ Work with the Program Manager to design the curriculum of the Retreat
• Orientation Leader Training ○ Work with the Program Manager to design the curriculum and schedule campus partners throughout all weeks ○ Co-present and present independently on topics to the Orientation Leaders ○ Take notes and review OL Test content to ensure it is up to date
• Create Team Identity ○ Select and design the uniform for the 2027 OL Team ○ Create and design buttons for the 2027 OL Team (including but not limited to pronouns buttons, University expertise buttons, UMD spirit buttons, etc.) ○ Develop and lead team bonding activities
• Orientation Registration Software Management ○ Support the creation and management of the OAR Checklist (Slate) ○ Manage the Accommodations workflow for students, families, and guests (Slate) ○ Monitor and respond to emails through the UMDorientation email address (Slate) ○ Create and maintain digital Orientation schedule (Campus Groups/BulldogConnect) ○ Maintain digital content and resources on the First Year Resource course (Canvas)
• OAR Preparation ○ Attend OAR Implementation Committee meetings as your class schedule allows ○ Create and share calendar events with the campus partners regarding their experiences and responsibilities during OAR programs ○ Concatenate student information for Small Groups, including by not limited to rosters, folder labels, and student name tags ○ Organize and facilitate the Next Day prep portion of the OAR day
• Day-of OAR support ○ Pull and share a list of daily accommodations for both students and guests ○ Facilitate morning and afternoon Dogpiles with OLs ○ Set-up and answer questions during Resource Fair ○ Occasionally create and lead presentations to some or all of the students and guests ○ Manage and facilitate the Excursion Group photo process as needed ○ Monitor OAR student Excursion Group rotations including room access and timing ○ Connect with students who have been marked as a No Show at any Orientation event
• Late Summer OAR ○ Organize and participate in call campaigns and late summer engagement programs ○ Plan and schedule the OL Banquet
• Office Duties ○ Orientation Interns will assist with OAR program preparation which may require working in the office when OLs aren’t required to come in. ○ On occasion, other UMD departments and organizations will request the assistance of the Orientation Intern as a student representative. Most of these requests come in the Fall and Spring semesters and provide a good way to stay involved in the campus community.

Length of Position :

This position will be hired early in the Fall 2026 semester and be employed through at least August 2027 (see Mandatory Dates for more details).

There may be additional optional opportunities for limited hours throughout the summer 2027, December 2027, and January 2028

Time Off : All requests for time off should be submitted for approval in writing to the Program Manager at least one week in advance of the desired absence.

The Orientation Intern will have some flexibility with time off requests during the summer (busy season), but should plan to work all listed dates.

The Orientation Intern may hold another position either within or outside of the University permitted that position doesn’t interfere with the responsibilities of this position (mid-May through mid-July 2027).

This is an advanced peer leadership position and should be treated as a priority.

There may be an opportunity for additional paid hours by working with the Tour Guide team in Undergraduate Admissions or as a Night Manager in Housing & Residence Life.

We encourage you to discuss ideas with the Program Manager.

• Fall 2026 Term ○ Any trainings and responsibilities will be scheduled around pre-existing class schedules.
• Spring 2027 Term ○ Any trainings and responsibilities will be scheduled around class schedules.
• Summer 2027 Term ○ The Orientation Intern may take online classes that don’t conflict with Mandatory Dates or role responsibilities. ○ Note: It is recommended to engage in the OAR experience without competing classes. However, students have successfully balanced both in the past. ○ Exception: Exceptions may be granted if a course is required for graduation.

• Spring Training and Summer Preparation Spring 2027 semester Schedule around classes and other priorities 5-10 hours/week
• Summer Training May 10 - June 11, 2027 Weekdays, 8am-4pm 30-40 hours/week;
• Fall OAR Programs June 14 - July 16, 2027 Weekdays, 8am-5pm 30-40 hours/week;
• Late Fall OAR Programs July 16 - Aug. 20, 2027 Weekdays, 8am-5pm 20-30 hours/week

*Specific dates will be provided upon the official job offer

We recommend you visit the Career Center to review your resume, prepare for your interview, ensure you have appropriate clothing, and so much more.

If you have questions, contact Jacob Germann (Kirby Student Center 115D; 218-726-7163; jgermann@d.umn.edu ).

Qualified candidates will possess all of the following characteristics:

• meet all eligibility requirements for employment a. https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Student-Job-Center/Policies
• demonstrate the ability to work with the values of UMD: Curiosity, Connection, and Compassion
• are enrolled as an undergraduate, degree-seeking student at University of Minnesota Duluth
• have completed at least 36 UMD credit hours by the end of the Fall 2026 semester
• must not be scheduled/able to graduate from the University before December 2027
• have worked/served in roles that similarly welcome and transition students to UMD

Desired Qualifications: Qualified candidates will possess a majority of the following characteristics (we encourage candidates to apply even if you are worried about not meeting enough of these):

• served as an Orientation Leader in the Bulldog Resource Center in the past
• be in good judicial standing with the University a. Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that candidates are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.
• possess a minimum semester and cumulative GPA of 2.5 by the end of Fall 2026
• exhibit excellent leadership skills, specifically with regard to their peers
• adhere to a strong code of ethics regarding personal and professional behavior
• exhibit strong interpersonal and group presentation skills
• possess and effectively utilize critical thinking skills to demonstrate a solution-focused attitude
• possess the following personal qualities:
• Maturity
• Self-Motivated
• Responsible
• Enthusiasm
• Initiative
• Team Player
• Integrity
• Punctuality
• Goal-oriented
• are willing to learn and grow in a leadership role that will challenge them beyond a traditional summer job.

Pay and Benefits

Pay Range: $16.00 per hour

Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester.

The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

Student positions are a form of financial support while pursuing an education at the University of Minnesota.

Applications must be submitted online.

To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions.

You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission.

The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here.

Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Duluth (UMD) consistently ranks among the top Midwestern, regional universities in U.S.

News and World Report's "America's Best Colleges" issue.

Overlooking Lake Superior, UMD provides an alternative to both large research and small liberal arts environments and attracts students looking for a personalized learning experience on a medium-sized campus of a major university.

A firm liberal arts foundation anchors a variety of traditional degree programs, as well as professional and graduate students that draw on UMD's many research institutes and labs.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026).

In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.