JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
STEPS TO APPLY
____ Read the OPA Position Description (pages 3-5): Make sure you have read the entire position description,
especially the “Important Dates and Details” section, and are able to fulfill all expectations.
____ Attend a Required Information Session: ALL applicants are REQUIRED to attend one of the following
information sessions as part of the OPA application process. Please do not wait until the last minute to attend –
plan accordingly!
Date
Thursday, October 1st
Friday, October 2nd
Monday, October 5th
Time
6:30-7:30 PM
12:00-1:00 PM
7:00-8:00 PM
Tuesday, October 6th
4:30-5:30 PM
Wednesday, October 7th
Monday, October 12th
6:30-7:30 PM
12:00-1:00 PM
Location
SSC 1075 (next to Dunkin)
SSC 1075
Madison Union 305 (Taylor
305)
Madison Union 306 (Taylor
306)
Festival – Allegheny Room
SSC 1075
____Submit the online portion of the application by 5 PM on Monday, October 12th:
http://jmu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_dfZ08BhaqDGcyJ7
____Hand in the Required Documents: All applicants must hand in the following documents in person to SSC
2200 by 5 PM on Monday, October 12th.
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Resume
o You are required to submit a resume. If you are not sure what a resume should look like, or would like
help with yours, visit Career and Academic Planning on the 3rd floor of SSC, or visit www.jmu.edu/cap/.
References
o In addition to having one person fill out the online reference form, we would like you to submit a
reference page. Please include the names and contact information for three people, including the person
you are asking to fill out the online form, who can serve as references for you. Please provide us with
each person's name, title, organization, the nature of their relationship to you (e.g. supervisor or adviser,
etc.), email address, and phone number. If you are not sure what a reference page looks like, visit the CAP
website for a sample.
Short Answer Questions
o Respond to the following two questions, in no more than 250 words per response in
a typed document. Please put your name and student ID number on the top of the page.
1. Choose two to three pillars of The Madison Way that mean the most to you and explain
why. How would you demonstrate these values to the new students you'll be working with this
summer?
The Madison Way:
The JMU Community Is: SCHOLARLY - Intellectual pursuit is our primary
focus...STUDIOUS - We are committed to the rigors of academic excellence and
growth...HONEST - Academic and personal integrity are fundamental components in any and all
of our interactions...ACCOUNTABLE -Individuals and groups accept responsibility for
behaviors, and abide by laws and community standards...RESPECTFUL - We appreciate and
learn from the human ideological differences that make our community stronger...RESILIENT
- We possess the courage and commitment to face personal challenges and
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JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
obstacles...COMPASSIONATE - We thoughtfully contribute to the local, regional, national, and
international community...INVIGORATING - We are a friendly community and we make
intentionally healthy choices about our physical, social and emotional lives.
2.
Describe your transition to JMU. What challenges and/or successes did you and your family
face during the process? What did you learn from that experience?
____One reference must submit the OPA Online Reference Form
http://jmu.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_806JcuNMOWwDccR: This must be submitted by 5 PM on Monday, October
12th. Additional details about the reference form can be found in the online application.
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JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
SUCCESSFUL ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER CANDIDATES WILL…
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Understand that the main focus of the position is first-year students’ successful transition to James
Madison University.
Understand the importance and be comfortable as a positive role model to first-year students, First yeaR
Orientation Guides (FROGs), and other students both on campus AND in all social media venues.
Be able to balance academic responsibilities and OPA duties.
Be able to describe the educational benefits of attending James Madison University and demonstrate a
commitment to academic excellence.
Be an excellent team player.
Demonstrate integrity, maturity, and an ability to use independent judgment.
Be comfortable working in a fast-paced environment and in a high profile position.
Maintain a high energy level, enthusiasm, and stamina when working long days.
Be open to facilitating small and large group discussions and activities.
Share their transition experience with incoming students and their families and express empathy for
students’ needs and challenges.
Be willing to learn about JMU resources, services, and departments, and effectively share accurate
information with new students and their guests.
Commit to taking leadership, communication, and customer service skills to the next level.
Enjoy hard, but rewarding, work.
Have a willingness to learn and grow through the position.
RESPONSIBILITIES FOR ORIENTATION PEER ADVISERS INCLUDE:
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Attend and actively participate in all Orientation Peer Adviser and First yeaR Orientation Guide training
programs.
Participate in reflection and debriefing sessions during training and orientation programs.
Assist with the implementation and evaluation of first-year orientation programs.
Greet and provide direction to groups of first-year students and parents during Orientation events and
provide excellent customer service to new students and family members by communicating accurate
information.
Assist first-year students with academic expectations, peer relationships, and personal adjustment to
JMU through small and large group discussions, individual peer advisement, educational sessions, and
positive interactions.
Serve as peer mentors to first-year students throughout the 2016-2017 academic year.
Serve as a supervisor and role model for First yeaR Orientation Guides. This includes assisting in the
FROG recruitment and selection process; communicating with FROGs; training, supervising, and
evaluating FROGs during 1787 August Orientation; and continuing to mentor FROGs during the 20162017 academic year.
Develop and demonstrate team leadership, responsibility and effective communication skills.
Develop and demonstrate skill in facilitating small and large groups.
Demonstrate sensitivity to diversity/appreciation of differences in first-year students and in the
Orientation Team.
Assist with the recruitment of the 2017 O-Team.
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JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
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A minimum GPA of a 2.5 is required. (*Note – If you do not have a JMU GPA, please indicate GPA
from previous institution on the online portion of the application.)
Be in good disciplinary and academic standing with James Madison University.
Be available for the Leadership in Orientation class, HRD 100, a 2-credit Spring Semester class held on
Fridays from 2:30-3:45 PM starting on January 15, 2016. The class focuses on creating and developing
relationships among the Orientation team as well as training for summer programs.
Be available for Orientation Training Workshops that will be on held Fridays from 3:45-5:00 PM
(immediately following HRD100). The workshop will focus on preparation and trainings for the FROG
recruitment and selection process as well as trainings for other Orientation programs.
Be enrolled full-time as undergraduate students, not studying abroad during the fall 2016 semester.
You may only take classes during the first four-week term of May session (unless you apply to be part
of the Transfer Team). Classes may not to be taken at any other time during the summer.
OPAs are required to participate in all Orientation training sessions and programs in the spring, summer,
and fall (see dates below).
OPAs are required to participate in all FROG recruitment, selection, and training events in the spring
and summer.
Due to intensive responsibilities between the dates of June 14th - July 20th and August 16-28, 2016,
OPAs are unable to work or train for another job during that time, including, but not limited to
Resident Advisors, UREC, etc. Please contact the Orientation Office at [email protected] or (540)
568-1787 if you have questions about this.
OPAs that will be living off-campus in the fall 2016 semester are responsible for making their own
arrangements to move into their fall housing assignment by August 15th in order to begin training for
1787 August Orientation on August 16th. The Orientation Office will make arrangements for OPAs who
are living on-campus in fall 2016. OPAs living on campus will need to make arrangements for select
training days during the summer when they will not have access to the residence halls.
COMPENSATION
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$3,800 before taxes (paid in installments during the spring, summer, and fall).
On-campus housing during the Summer Springboard program (Dates TBD between June 25th - July 20th)
(Value is approximately $650).
Meal plan during summer Orientation programs and June, July, and August training periods. (Value is
approximately $650).
One orientation polo.
Some OPAs have received academic internship credit for their Orientation experience in the past. Talk
with your academic advisor or professors to see if this is an option for you.
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JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
IMPORTANT DATES & DETAILS
OPAs must be available to work on the following dates in the spring, summer and fall of 2016. There are no
exceptions for the specified dates. Contact Maria Arbizo at [email protected] or (540) 568-1787 if you have
questions or concerns about any of the dates listed below. These dates are subject to change.
Spring 2016 (Only exceptions will be academic requirements)
Attend and actively participate in all Orientation Peer Adviser training experiences in the spring semester and
assist in the recruitment, selection, and training of FROGs in February, March, and April by reviewing
applications, conducting interviews, and facilitating FROG training sessions.
 Friday, January 15th – Friday, April 22nd – 2:30-5:00 PM: HRD100 and Orientation Workshops
 Friday, January 29, 2016 – 2:30-5:00 PM: First O-Team Meeting
 Friday, February 5th (Leaving approx. 4:00pm) – Sunday, Feb. 8th (Returning approx. 5:00pm): O-Team
Student Staff Retreat – Location off campus TBA
 March - April (Several evening and weekend hours required): FROG Interview Process
 Saturday, April 16th: Transition Team Training Day from 7am – 7pm
 Additional training meetings will be scheduled during the semester as needed.
Volunteer with CHOICES programs for newly admitted students.
 More information including dates and obligations will be shared in January.
Summer 2016
Actively participate in all Orientation Peer Adviser training and Orientation programs in June and July.
 June 14th – 26th (exact dates TBD): OPA Training for Summer Springboard (This includes weekend
dates and some evenings.)
 TBD Between June 27th - July 20th: First Year Summer Springboard Programs (weekends and July 4th
off)
 July 20th – 21st: Summer Springboard wrap-up and training for 1787 August Orientation
 TBD Between June 20th - July 21st: OPAs are required to live in housing provided by Orientation
*Note – On-campus housing will NOT be provided for OPAs during the first eight days of Summer
Springboard training (Dates TBD).
August 2016
Actively participate in all August OPA & FROG training sessions, 1787 August Orientation programs, and
supervise FROGs.
 August 16th – 19th: OPA Training for 1787 Orientation
 August 20th – 22nd: FROG Training for 1787 Orientation
 August 23rd – 28th: 1787 August Orientation
Fall 2016
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Continue to mentor and support FROGs and first year students
Complete self and FROG evaluations
Help recruit and select 2017 O-Team
Assist with December Transfer Orientation (hourly pay): Friday, December 9, 2016
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JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY | ORIENTATION OFFICE
2016 ORIENTATION PEER ADVISER POSITION INFORMATION
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