Job Title: St. Olaf Orientation to Academics and Resources (SOAR) Leader (WS-ST3)
Classification: Student Employee (non-exempt)
Name and Address of Employer: St. Olaf College, 1520 St. Olaf Ave., Northfield, MN 55057
Department Name: Academic Success Center
Unit Number: 14153
Length of Position: Spring - Spring
• This Spring: Training begins for SOAR leaders (1-2 hours)
• Late Aug. - Early Sept.: Return to campus early for training and approximately 30 hrs of SOAR duties during New Student Orientation.
• Sept. - Nov.; Feb.-Apr.: 1-3 hr/week mainly during Community Time (Thurs., 11:30-12:30)
Contact Person/Supervisor: Assistant Director of Student Support
Description of the Position:
The Student Orientation and Registration (SOAR) Peer Leader is a campus leadership role dedicated to supporting first-year students during their transition to college. Working in pairs, SOAR Leaders facilitate orientation programming and guide a small group of incoming students through their initial academic year.
Key Responsibilities:
• Group Facilitation & Instruction: Co-lead orientation activities and deliver structured SOAR sessions throughout the fall and spring semesters.
• Community Building & Mentorship: Create inclusive environments where students connect with peers and leaders, conduct monthly one-on-one check-ins, and coordinate and host monthly social events for their group.
• Communication & Collaboration: Maintain consistent communication with assigned student groups, peer partners, and SOAR staff, collaborating directly with co-leaders to plan and execute lesson plans.
Transferable Skills (skills that you will develop as a SOAR Peer Leader that will be useful in other kinds of employment):
• Leadership
• Group Facilitation
• Public Speaking
• Oral and Written Communication
• Mentorship
• Time Management
• Human Relations
• Creativity
• Collaboration
Duties and Responsibilities:
• Return to Campus early next fall for training and work during New Student Orientation
• Actively participate in the facilitation of New Student Orientation
• Work with your SOAR Leader partner(s) to prepare/plan for SOAR sessions
• Attend ALL SOAR sessions during Community Time
• Attend ALL SOAR training dates (times vary)
• Meet individually with half of your SOAR group participants
• Interact with students positively in formal and informal academic settings
• Maintain student confidentiality
• Attend additional meetings or workshops and complete duties as assigned
• Maintain appropriate leader/student boundaries with first-year students
Qualifications: (Education/Experience/Skills)
• Must have successfully completed FYS and WRR credits and be in good academic standing.
• Must be a current St. Olaf student and able to work up to 3 hours/week, with one of those hours being Community Time (11:30-12:30) on Thursdays.
• Must be able to return to campus early (late August) and be able to commit to 30 hours of work during New Student Orientation during the day.
• Must demonstrate professional and personal qualities appropriate for working with students, faculty, and staff.
• Must be interested and comfortable working with students with diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Must have good organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
This job description is for general information purposes. It is not intended to list all duties and responsibilities of the position. This job description is subject to change at any time by St. Olaf College, with or without prior notice.