Director of Student Activities & Orientation

South Dakota Board Of Regents
  • Brookings, SD
    3 days ago

    Job Description

    Posting Details

    Posting Details

    Logo Institution South Dakota State University Working Title Director of Student Activities & Orientation Posting Number NFE03169P Department SDSU-Student Union & Activities Physical Location of Position (City) Brookings Posting Text

    Are you passionate about fostering student engagement and success? South Dakota State University (SDSU) is seeking a dynamic and people-centered leader to join our team as the Director of Student Activities and Orientation. In this key role, you will guide and direct the work of student programs within the Department of Student Union and Activities, administering comprehensive programs designed to enhance student life and support our campus community. This is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Brookings, South Dakota.

    The Department of Student Union & Activities is housed within the Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. The division cultivates enrollment, student success and opportunity for all through innovative programs, intentional experiences, exceptional services, and premier facilities to enrich student development, promote wellbeing, and foster learning in a vibrant community.

    Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

    KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

    The duties of the Director of Student Activities and Orientation include, but are not limited to:

    • Direct and oversee the Office of Student Activities and Orientation, guiding its programs and services to foster a vibrant campus culture.
    • Lead the administration of New Student Orientation as well as other retention and recruitment programs.
    • Develop and implement innovative retention and recruitment initiatives to support student success.

    BENEFITS:

    SDState offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions. Relocation benefits are available per university's guidelines.

    MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

    • An earned Master's degree in Student Affairs or related field by start date.
    • 5 years of professional experience working in Student Affairs.
    • Experience with supervision of full-time staff.
    • Experience with university program oversight.
    • Experience managing a budget
    • Experience training college students for campus employment.
    • Valid driver's license or ability to obtain within 30 days of hire.

    PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

    • Experience leading New Student Orientation programs and new student programs for university.
    • Experience leading student activities programs and related services.
    • Knowledge of website development.
    • Experience with the assessment of learning and program evaluation.

    APPLICATION PROCESS:

    SDSU accepts applications through an on-line employment site. To apply, visit: https://yourfuture.sdbor.edu, search by the position title, view the job announcement, and click on "apply for this job." This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

    Any offer of employment is contingent on the university's verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

    South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University's Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

    Posting Date 08/11/2026 Closing Date 08/31/2026 Open Until Filled No First Consideration Date Advertised Salary The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications, minimum of $67,965. Duration of the Term 12 months If Other, describe duration Appointment Percent 100 Work Hours Typical Hours Worked Per Week Appointment Type Regular Faculty Status No Scope of Search External (includes Internal) If internal, define scope of search This position requires Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License If other, please indicate Department Description and Cultural Expectations

    SDState is the state's largest, most comprehensive university with over $94 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

    Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

    South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits unlawful discrimination of all legally protected classes in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128.

    Contact Information

    For questions on the position, contact search committee chair, Lexi Holen at Alexis.Holen@sdstate.edu.

    Working Conditions

    Cognitive Requirements

    Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position. Analyzing, Comprehend, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-average, Pace-fast, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

    Protective Clothing/Equipment

    Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment. If other protection is used please identify

    NA

    Physical Requirements

    Please designate the physical requirements of this position Bending, Stooping, Twisting, Carrying, Climbing Stairs, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Lifting Above Waist, Lifting light, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Walking Describe any of the conditions selected

    Fine Finger Manipulation - basic keyboarding and computer skills

    Sensory Requirements

    Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position. Color Vision, Depth Perception, Distant Vision, Hearing, Near Vision, Peripheral Vision, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

    Working Conditions & Exposures

    Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day. Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

    NA

    Working Environment

    Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed. Office Environment, Other Environment (Please explain below), Outdoors Environment If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

    Venues (such as concert venues) on and off campus that may be the site for an OSAO or an RSO program.

    Supplemental Questions

    Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    • Where did you hear about this position?
    • LinkedIn
    • SDBOR Employment Site
    • South Dakota Department of Labor
    • Employee Referral
    • Department Announcement / Inside State
    • Handshake
    • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
    • Industry Conference
    • Search Engine - Please specify
    • Employment Agency - Please specify
    • Newspaper - Please specify
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
    • Radio - Please specify
    • APLU
    • List Servs - Please specify
    • Alumni
    • Other - Please specify

    Documents Needed to Apply

    Required Documents

    • Cover Letter
    • Resume
    • Reference List

    Optional Documents

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationBrookings, SD

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