OPE Student Employee

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In order to ensure the experience is a positive one for an estimated 2,000 participants, we will be hiring approximately 50 students to assist with the execution of the conference.

Qualifications include:

• Well-developed interpersonal skills, written and verbal communication, and administrative skills.

• Knowledge of the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Department of Residence Life and/or the Gruenhagen Conference Center.

Various positions are available. Below you will find a summary of the major areas where most of our student employees will work. The pay rate is $7.15 per hour, unless you are already working for the Department of Residence Life at a higher rate. If so, you will be paid at that level.

Scheduling Center: The main goal of both candidates and employers is to successfully complete as many interviews as they can during the course of the conference. Staff at the Scheduling Center help set up the interview schedules for the conference participants.

• Working in the Scheduling Center demands accuracy and detail. Student employees must have strong interpersonal skills and be able to manage anxious employees and nervous candidates.

Message Center: Candidates and employers communicate to one another through our Message

Center. Last year over 4,000 messages were handled by our staff.

• Students working within the Message Center must be comfortable on the front line interacting with candidates and employers, willing to listen to feedback, respond professionally, and take initiative to resolve problems. In addition, student employees must be effective at balancing multiple tasks in a fast pace environment.

Transportation Center/OPE Shuttle Service: We provide courtesy shuttle services between the Gruenhagen Conference Center and designated local hotels from early in the morning until late at night.

• Student employees for the Transportation Center must be authorized by the University as an approved driver and be 21 years of age. The authorization process for most vehicles is as simple as completing paperwork. The University considers violations, accidents, and other safety concerns while reviewing authorization requests.

• Transportation Center employees must be reliable, attentive individuals whom exercise good judgment. The safety of passengers rests in the hands of the drivers. Interpersonal and customer service skills are necessary as drivers will interact directly with participants.

OPE Social Coat Check: On Saturday night there is a casual social event for all candidates and employers to enjoy. Thousands of participants venture to Reeve Memorial Union to enjoy wonderful food, live music, and conversation. We provide a courtesy coat check from 7 p.m. – midnight.

• Coat Check student workers must be energetic, willing to engage in conversation with conference participants. Student employees must be able to work effectively with minimal supervision.

Parking Attendants: On Thursday (and some of Friday morning), several parking spaces in front of Gruenhagen Conference Center are cleared and designated as short-term unloading space for conference participants. Parking attendants will greet drivers, direct vehicles to vacant spaces, and enforce time limits. Attendants will also be placed at the ramp and other parking lots to assist conference participants in finding available parking space.

• Parking staff must have strong customer service skills, able to communicate clearly, listen attentively, and genuinely welcome conference participants. Attendants need to be comfortable problem solving, and able to positively manage potential adverse or negative situations.

Application & Selection Process

• Carefully and thoroughly complete the application, as hiring decisions are generally made by screening applications and/or consulting references. Typically, we do not interview candidates.

• To request an application, click the "Apply Now" link below, email develice@mio.uwosh.edu, visit the Residence Life Office (263 S. Gruenhagen), or call 424-3212. 

• Submit the completed 3-page application to Lori Develice Collins at the Department of Residence Life, 263 S. Gruenhagen Hall or develice@mio.uwosh.edu. Priority consideration may be given to applications submitted by Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

• Hiring decisions should be made no later than Friday, February 6, 2009. If you wish to check the status of your application after February 6, contact Lori Develice Collins at 424-3212 or develice@mio.uwosh.edu.

• Supervisors for each area will arrange pre-conference (paid) training for hired student employees. The training date, time, and location will be outlined in offer letters; however, it has been tentatively scheduled for Sunday, February 22, 2009 from 7:00-9:00 p.m.

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