Graduate Assistant - Leadership Coach
Job Profile
We are looking for a dynamic graduate assistant to serve as a Sustainable Carolina Graduate Assistant*. In this role, you will coach (think: motivate, empower, guide, advise, cheer on) 10-15 undergraduate students on their leadership, employability, integrative learning, and project development. *Candidates do not need to have sustainability knowledge or experience—just a willingness to learn!
About Us
The mission of the Office of Sustainability is To promote environmental, economic, and social responsibility in the Carolina community through collaborations with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
Sustainable Carolina is the student branch of the Office of Sustainability. Students of Sustainable Carolina are empowered to address real world problems through project team work, attending community programs, and conceptualizing and implementing campus-wide events. Our student leaders not only contribute to sustainability on campus, but they also learn the skills and tools necessary to take on leadership roles in their future careers.
All of our work, from our students’ projects to our community partner collaboration, is rooted in our mission. For more information about the Office and Sustainable Carolina, visit http://sc.edu/sustainability.
Essential Functions
- Under supervision from the Office of Sustainability staff, manage the Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program and plan professional development activities for 50 undergraduate students in the program.
- Serve as a Leadership Coach for potential and current students in the Sustainable Carolina Leadership Program; coach 10-15 students on their employability and progress toward Graduation with Leadership Distinction (learn about GLD here: http://sc.edu/uscconnect)
- Coordinate Fall and Spring orientation for interns; organize student interns into Sustainable Carolina projects; coordinate community building events for interns and end-of-semester recognition events.
- Collaborate with USC Connect, Undergraduate Research, Study Abroad, and the Leadership and Service Center, and other offices to create opportunities for Sustainable Carolina interns and students in the Leadership Program.
- Assist students in developing their E-portfolios; help track student progress in coursework, required USC Connect orientation, workshop participation, mentorship development, applying for grants, and presenting/publishing their work.
- Mentor a student team in their execution of one major, campus-wide event per semester.
- Assist staff in the assessment and evaluation of Sustainable Carolina interns and Leadership Program students.
- Lead recruitment efforts for new students to join Sustainable Carolina as interns and as Leadership Program students.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Other Expectations
- Work with other Sustainable Carolina, Office of Sustainability, and Green Quad staff to create a sustainable education facility and work environment.
- Communicate effectively with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
- Find opportunities to collaborate with community and campus partners.
- Attend weekly staff meetings and regular weekly project team meetings.
- Develop a basic knowledge of sustainability and environmental principles (no prior sustainability knowledge is necessary for this assistantship).
Qualifications
Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree and have relevant experience. Candidate should be pursuing an advanced degree, preferably in Higher Education, Social Work, Public Health, Earth & Environmental Resource Management, or other related field. Candidate must demonstrate strong oral and written communication skills; strong organizational skills; ability to work both independently and on a team; and strong group facilitation skills. Knowledge and expertise related to sustainability/environmental programs and issues is not required. Candidate should have a commitment to excellence, teamwork within a diverse environment, and the ability to work with the public.
Compensation, Benefits, and Commitment
Graduate Assistants are paid $9,500 every two weeks throughout the year.
Tuition Assistance (based on 9-hours of enrollment per semester):
- Fall Semester - $2,100
- Spring Semester - $2,100
Professional Development:
- Project management experience including (but not limited to): building programs, overseeing a budget, and supervising students.
- Mentorship from higher education and sustainability professionals.
- Opportunities for conference presentation.
Dates of Service:
- Start: August 5, 2019
- End: April 27, 2020
To Apply
Send a resume and personal statement to Hayley Ross at HERoss@sc.edu. Your personal statement should tell me what sets you apart from the rest; how you can operate with light supervision; what creative ideas you can bring to the table; what makes you tick and why you think you’re a fit. (Hint: it should relate to the position description…) After reading your statement (brevity is a real treat) we should want to bring you in for an interview to hear more. Cover Letters are dead.
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or veteran status.