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Recreational Sports and Fitness (RSF)

Graduate Assistantship (GA) for Intramurals Sports

Application materials must be sumbitted to Spencer Sorensen at [email protected] by March 10, 2023. We will continue to accept applications until the GA position has been filled.

Description of Opportunity

This Graduate Assistant will join a team of dedicated professionals at the Montana State University’s Recreational Sports Department and work closely with a second Graduate Assistant and undergraduate student staff. 

 

Position Duration

This position is for no more than 19 hours/week for: 10 months (AY), with the GA’s option for a 2-month summer camp position. Position dates:  August 1 -  May 31.

 

Position Description – GA for Intramurals 

  • Assist in the overall administration and management of the Intramural Sports program including the planning, development, implementation, and marketing of a comprehensive intramural sports program including all individual/dual sport and team sport activities.
  • Assist in recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, scheduling, and evaluating of student employees for intramural sports officiating and supervisory positions.
  • Attend and conduct weekly/monthly staff meetings for Intramurals Sports.
  • In the second year, assist with the Club Sports program through the coordination of club travel, budget allocation, administration, and policy development.
  • Support the overall operation of the Recreation Turf Complex and Support Building. Including plowing the turf field during the winter months.
  • Help manage and operate the turf maintenance equipment and supervision of staff to effectively maintain facility safety, service excellence and function of equipment.
  • Utilize Mazevo scheduling software to schedule Lambert field complex and coordinate events at the turf complex.
  • Provide leadership within RSF by providing support to student staff, the Rec Coordinator for Intramurals and Club Sports, and the other graduate and full-time staff.
  • Participate in professional staff meetings.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • All RSF GA’s must be accepted into the MSU Graduate School and enrolled in a masters or higher degree level program.
  • The GA is intended to be a 2-year assistantship
    • The GA will be evaluated and reviewed each semester
    • RSF and/or the academic department may terminate the assistantship at any time with proper cause

Required Skills/Qualifications

  • Undergraduate degree (preferred course work in recreation, management, business, sports science, fitness and related fields)
    • 1 year of experience working within an intramural sports or club sports program
    • Experience officiating sports and/or being a club leader
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Competence in basic word processing and spreadsheets
  • Current CPR/AED at the time of hiring (can be taken internally)

Preferred Skills/Qualifications 

  • 2-4 years of experience working within an intramural sports or club sports program
  • Experience with IM Leagues scheduling software
  • Experience leading sport officials’ trainings
  • Proven experience working as a team player
  • Experience with Club Sports advising, marketing, scheduling, event management, and budgeting

Graduate School Qualifications

  • Enrolled in at least 6 credits at the graduate level in each semester at MSU
  • Maintain, term, cumulative and program of study GPA of 3.00 or better
  • Make progress toward the achievement of the degree (e.g., sit and pass comp exams)

*This assistantship is a union represented position under the Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) bargaining unit, represented by MEA-MFT. If workplace issues arise, the student in the position will need to take concerns to their supervisor or the University’s Human Resources department.

Transferable/Portable Skills

Candidates will:

  • Gain experience as both a staff and faculty member within the field of university administration
  • Apply planning, scheduling and marketing skills
  • Learn leadership and management strategies to work with a wide variety of college students
  • Work with a variety of campus professionals
  • Develop management and business skills transferable to any industry
  • Learn how to be a team player on a very dynamic, visionary, and fast moving RSF team 

 Supervision

  • Direct Supervisor: Spencer Sorensen, [email protected].
  • The GA will have the opportunity to interact closely with the entire team of professionals throughout RSF and campus wide

Works Primarily With

  • Undergraduate students     
  • Graduate students
  • Staff 

GA Focus

  • College students and their development
  • Higher education leadership, administration, and organization
  • Institutional and program evaluation, assessment, and accreditation

Performance and Feedback

  • Each GA will receive a formal evaluation each semester. This is important to make sure both the assistant and the supervisor are achieving the goals set out at the beginning of the semester
  • We believe that regular feedback is critical. This will come in the form of personal 1:1 meetings as well as staff meetings

Compensation

  • Stipend: Minimum of $1,500/month for an appointment requiring no more than 19 hours a week
  • RSF will cover the cost of 9 credits tuition/semester for GA’s accepted into this program. University fees and other fees are the responsibility of the student
  • Additional payment by RSF: Mandatory additional payment of $170 per month for health insurance or other living expenses, as per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA)
  • Professional development is very important to us: RSF will provide compensation to attend professional development conferences and workshops as funds are available.

GA Conduct

  • Exercise a sense of responsibility, judgment, and integrity on and off campus. This includes, but is not limited to, compliance with all RSF and MSU policies; the Student Conduct Code; local, state, and federal laws. 
  • Know, understand and adhere to University policies. Be well versed in the rationale behind them so that you can inform students of this information properly.

 

Application materials must be sumbitted to Spencer Sorensen at [email protected] by March 10, 2023. We will continue to accept applications until the GA position has been filled.

  1. Current resume or CV, to include cumulative GPA
  2. Two professional letters of recommendation
  3. Letter of interest for this position to address:

 (Please limit responses to no more than 500 words per question)

    • Why you are interested in this position? What aspects of the position interest you the most?
    • How will this position help you reach your personal and/or professional goals?
    • How do you see yourself in this position contributing to the Intramural and Club Sports community?
    • What do you feel like are the qualities that make a good mentor?
    • How do you manage conflict and maintain healthy relationships with your colleagues? What makes you feel welcome and supported on a team?