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Why Rensselaer? Join Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's dynamic global community of changemaker including some of the world’s leading researchers, students, alumni, and faculty who ask the important questions and devise the scientific and technological innovations that make the world a better place for all of humanity.

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, Rensselaer is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and an IBM Quantum One computer - the first university-based quantum computer in the U.S. 

Are you ready to change the world? Apply now!

Job Summary

The Associate Director of First-Year Experience (FYE) serves as an expert in the needs of first year college students. The Director will advocate, educate, and serve as a resource for campus partners on how best to support entering college students both academically and socially. The Associate Director will develop and lead new student orientation and Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond and will develop learning outcomes for our first-year students and work to ensure programming aligns to meet those needs. The Associate Director is engaged proactively in helping ease the transition into college and support them into their second year. The Associate Director contributes to a culture of belonging utilizing equity-minded and inclusive practices in their work.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's Degree in College Student Personnel or Higher Education Administration, Counseling, or related field

Three (3) or more years of experience in higher education administration, student development or related discipline with progressive responsibility including supervision of full-time staff.

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with orientation programs a plus but not required 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Requires a thorough understanding of student development concepts and theory including transition theories.
• Requires demonstrated oral and written communication skills.
• Requires planning, organizing and effective time management skills.
• Requires ability to analyze and interpret financial and other data.
• Requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills to relate to students.
• Requires ability to work effectively under pressure and meet established goals and objectives.
• Requires ability to anticipate and solve problems.
• Requires ability to work independently and take initiative on projects.
• Requires the ability to deal with rapidly changing, as well as sometimes competing priorities.

Shift

Business Hours with weekends or evenings occasionally required

Travel

Occasional overnight travel may be required (10% or less)

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $70,000 - $78,000

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Job Posted Date

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Rensselaer is recognized locally and nationally for the depth and breadth of its compensation and benefits program. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).

We welcome candidates who will bring diverse cultural, ethnic, national and international perspectives to Rensselaer’s work and campus communities.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity, Race/Gender/Veterans/Disability Employer.