UESS SOARHornet Crew Leader

Job Purpose:
Become an Orientation Leader for SOAR and Hornet Days!

Do you want to welcome new students to campus Do you want to become a better leader Show off your love for Lynchburg and apply to be an Orientation Leader for our SOAR program in June!

The Orientation Leader (OL) for both of these positions is crucial in assisting new students in their transition to Lynchburg and creating a sense of belonging. Often being one of the first connections a new student makes at Lynchburg Orientation Leaders positively impact the new student experience and represent the Lynchburg community. Orientation Leaders are role models who also serve as peer mentors and sources of support and information. An Orientation Leader displays an energetic and positive attitude while facilitating large and small group discussions about campus life academics University resources and the community.

Skills Development or Learning Opportunities Available:

• Opportunity to develop leadership skills such as group facilitation organization public speaking problem solving and team building
• Connections with faculty staff and peers that often lead to other opportunities on campus
• Serve as a role model while assisting in the transition and retention of new students
• Great resume builder
• Develop great friendships
• Participate in fun and engaging staff bonding.
• Early move-in for on-campus residential OLs (please see specific housing information under the compensation heading below).
• Certain meals during in person training and orientation sessions
• Orientation Leader shirts

Essential Duties:

• Serve as a positive role model for new students.
• Facilitate and effectively lead discussion/team building activities with groups of new students.
• Assist in the preparation and execution of SOAR and Hornet Days and materials including but not limited to orientation prep escorting students/families and guests around campus participation in meals and evening activities and other duties as assigned.
• Hold virtual office hour sessions prior to each orientation session for new students to ask questions and connect with other students.
• Develop and execute programs tailored to new students.
• Educate new students on academic opportunities and procedures.
• Acquaint new students with campus services and building locations.
• Encourage new students to fully participate in the Lynchburg community.
• Assist with directing students on campus and acclimating new students with the campus layout.
• Reports to the Asst. Director for Orientation.
• Maintain a professional and positive relationship with all Orientation staff members including but not limited to Staff on Calls (SOCs) Professional Staff and other campus leaders.

Timeline:
Spring

• Attend an informational meeting prior to the end of the spring semester to discuss timelines of the program and expectations.
  

Pre-Orientation (Summer)

• Attend a two-day in person training session prior to SOAR beginning. Dates to be announced.
• Hold virtual sessions with new students assigned to your group the day prior to their SOAR session. Dates of virtual sessions will be:
  
  Sunday June 7 2026
  Wednesday June 10 2026
  Sunday June 14 2026
  Wednesday June 17 2026
  
  During these virtual sessions you will let the students know that they will be added to a GroupMe chat in order to communicate with them during the program.
• Review the SOAR schedule
• Question/Answer session

Fall Orientation (Hornet Days)

• Attend a two-day in person training session in August prior to Hornet Days.
• Serve as peer mentor for new students.
• Facilitate small and large group discussions on campus life academics and the community.
• Actively participate in all days and events of orientation.
• Assist with check-in/move-in procedures as needed.
• Use GroupMe communications to connect with students assigned to your grou

Qualifications and Skills:

• Exhibits a passion for Lynchburg and making connections
• Demonstrates a positive adaptable and professional work ethic
• Has excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Campus or community involvement (i.e. service extra-curricular activities etc.)
• Punctual dependable and takes initiative
• Mature responsible and display a willingness to assist students in transitioning to college
• Team player
• Flexibility and ability to think on your feet
• Public speaking skills
• Ability to promote belonging
• Ability to work with diverse students parents faculty and staff
• Present a positive and professional demeanor that favorably represents Lynchburg and the UESS
• Desire to be a leader and role-model including on-campus online and in the community
• Ability to work in a fast-pace high pressure environment
• Most importantly you must love to work hard and have fun!

Eligibility Requirements:

• Orientation Leaders for both positions must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 throughout their employment term. Please provide your current cumulative GPA to confirm that you meet this requirement.
• Orientation Leaders must be in good conduct standing and not have current conduct sanctions.
• Campus leadership conflicts that preclude students from becoming an OL:
  • Community Assistants - OLs may not serve as a community assistant (specifically for the position of Hornet Crew Leader) during their employment term due to training conflicts.

Equipment Used:

• Computer
• Microsoft Office and Google Drive
• Phone/Cell Phone
• Printer/Copier
• Scanner

Time Commitment

• Orientation Leaders must attend various spring training sessions in June and August. Specific dates to be August OLs will be expected to communicate with their Orientation Group. During Orientation OLs are expected to be present at all Orientation and new student related activities.

Compensation

June SOAR: $500 ($250.00 to be paid at the beginning of employment and remainder upon completion of the SOAR contract) housing and meals when the Burton Dining Hall is open. You will be responsible for your own meals outside of the Dining Hall hours.

Hornet Days: $400 ($200.00 to be paid at the beginning of employment and remainder upon completion of the Hornet Days contract). Early Arrival and move-in on campus for residential Hornet Crew leaders and housing for non-residential Hornet Crew leaders for the duration of Hornet Days only. Meals scheduled in the dining hall as part of Hornet Days will be paid for. You will be responsible for the cost of any meals outside of the scheduled dining hall hours.

Application and Interview Process
Once applications are reviewed the Assistant Director of Orientation will reach out to schedule a 20-30 minute interview prior to 2026 spring break