University of Michigan School of Information, Office of Organizational Culture and Community Graduate Student Staff Assistants (UMSI OCC GSSAs) For UMSI Master's or Doctoral Students

Appointment Period: Fall 2025 with an opportunity for reappointment in Winter 2026 

Estimated FTE: 50% (20 hours per week)

Application Deadline: Monday, June 2 at 11:59 PM 

Estimated Start Date:  The start date is August 25, 2025. We anticipate scheduling prep time before the employment start date. All work for this role will be completed by the end of December (or slightly earlier).

Summary: 

The University of Michigan School of Information (UMSI) is seeking 2 dedicated Graduate Student Staff Assistants (GSSAs) for the Office of Organizational Culture and Community (OCC). These part-time positions, each requiring a 20-hour weekly commitment, focus on strategic initiatives and amplifying student voices within UMSI’s organizational culture. Successful candidates must exhibit a strong commitment to promoting belonging and creating an accessible and inclusive environment at UMSI. Both GSSAs will report to Julia Dang, Program Manager for OCC, and will be expected to work with other OCC staff based on project needs. 

Responsibilities:

We are offering two distinct GSSA positions: one centered on OCC Student Initiatives and the other focused on our Culture and Community Committee activities. While each GSSA will work independently within their specific domain, they will collaborate to facilitate programs aimed at engaging the student community. Responsibilities in both roles will be adapted based on the selected candidates' interests, skills, and professional development goals, alongside our priority needs.

Responsibilities for Both Positions: 

• Stay informed about practices that cultivate positive organizational culture, promote student belonging, and track relevant trends and events in the wider information field.

• Champion the inclusion of student perspectives in the UMSI strategic plan and effectively promote OCC initiatives within the School of Information.

• Design and implement strategies, tools, and programs to boost student engagement, while contributing to and enhancing student-focused communications for the OCC newsletter and website.

• Collaborate with stakeholders and assist in ongoing efforts, that may include educational outreach, administrative tasks, and community programming.

Culture and Community Committee GSSA-Specific Responsibilities:

• Support the development and advancement of the UMSI Culture and Community Committee's objectives, including initiatives for inclusive education efforts.

• Actively participate as a student representative on the Culture and Community Committee to provide an additional student perspective.

• Offer administrative and project-based support to the committee and emerging subcommittees, ensuring efficient operation and progress.

• Conduct project-based work to support the committee's efforts, which may include research related to committee priorities, benchmarking best practices, and preparing and sharing updates on charge progress with the UMSI community.

OCC Student Initiatives GSSA-Specific Responsibilities

• Develop and collaborate on programming and advise on organizational strategies focused on student engagement,  which may include:

  • Developing innovative avenues or techniques, informed by feedback, to encourage student interactions with the OCC team and the UMSI strategic plan. 

  • Organize and host events or office hours designed to facilitate meaningful student conversations.

  • Champion community engagement opportunities with newly launched Culture of Care Framework with specific focus on undergraduate, graduate (both residential and nonresidential) and doctoral students.

Eligibility Requirements 

• University of Michigan School of Information graduate student in good standing.

• Must meet eligibility criteria as defined in the GEO contract.

• Applicants must be lawfully able to be employed in the United States, sponsorship to obtain such status is not available at this time.

• Capacity to dedicate an average commitment of 20 hours per week to the position.

• The work associated with the position must be recognized as academically relevant by the student's department or degree program.

Qualification Requirements  

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of the School of Information and the broader context of higher education. 

• Commitment to and experience with enhancing belonging, creating community and facilitating discussions across different perspectives.

• Familiarity with maintaining confidentiality and exercising discretion when handling sensitive information.

• Proficiency with online systems and tools, including spreadsheets, presentation platforms, survey tools, and Google Workspace applications.

• Understanding of research, consultation, assessment, and evaluation practices.

Skills and Abilities: 

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, and the capability to engage effectively with a diverse audience of faculty, staff, and students.

• Excellent organizational skills, including attention to detail and follow-through, with a willingness to develop robust project management abilities.

• Ability to design and implement engagement tools and programs for students.

• Capacity to work collaboratively or independently as the situation demands.

• Adeptness in engaging with college student populations in support and outreach capacities.

• Experience in working independently with regular check-ins, and a willingness to navigate ambiguity with a flexible approach to rapidly evolving circumstances. 

Location and Hours  

The position is primarily based at the School of Information located on North Campus in the Leinweber Computer Science and Information Building (2200 Hayward St). The Graduate Student Staff Assistant (GSSA) is expected to complete most of their 20 weekly hours in person, during business hours. Occasional programming responsibilities may require work outside these hours. Remote work arrangements are available on a limited basis and require prior approval from the supervisor.

Contract Note

While the initial contract is for the Fall semester, there may be an opportunity for renewal for the Winter semester without the need for reapplication, pending mutual agreement between the GSSA and OCC as well as UMSI HR approval.

Application Process and Due Date

Applications are due Monday, June 2 at 11:59 PM. Virtual interviews for finalists will be scheduled in mid June. A selection team will make the hiring decision. Applicants should plan to check email frequently for updates. Questions can be directed to Julia Dang at dangj@umich.edu.

How to Apply:

To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for two references via the umjobs.org website. In your cover letter, clearly indicate which OCC GSSA position(s) interest you and how your experience aligns with the role's requirements.
NOTE: Applications lacking a cover letter will not be reviewed.

Please submit application materials as a single PDF file. Format the PDF file name as follows:  “Last Name, First Name_UMSI GSSA Position” (for example: Archer, Latrese_UMSI GSSA Position). 

Below are some instructions to help you through this application process. 

1.     Go to http://www.umjobs.org

2.       Click on "Login"  (upper right corner).  Use your umich uniqname and password.

3.       Click on "U-M Graduate Student on the Ann Arbor campus" identifying yourself as a UM Graduate Student (fourth option)

4.       Click in the "Search for Jobs" box at the top of the page

5.       Enter the Job Opening ID: 263822

6.       You are now in the standard application. Answer all questions and proceed through the application process as prompted.  Upload your application as one document (preferably a Word or PDF document) including your cover letter with information on availability, your resume, and any teaching evaluations*

7.       Click "Submit" when you are finished. 

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed following the posting deadline and selected candidates will be contacted for an interview. References will be contacted for finalists.

Every effort will be made to have a hiring decision by June 30th, 2025. 

*Having trouble uploading your document? 

The most common cause of upload and display issues can be attributed to an unsupported operating system or internet browser. Internet Explorer is the browser of choice when using the site, however, if one browser doesn't seem to be working properly, switch to a different browser and/or clear your cache and cookies.

Double check your document type. The system accepts resumes/cover letters created in a .DOC, .DOCX, .PDF, .TXT .HTML or .RTF. Uploading your resume/cover letter as a Microsoft Word document is the recommended format. File names are limited to 35 characters or less and cannot contain punctuation marks or special characters.

GEO Contract Information

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. Upon request, any applicant denied employment will receive, within fourteen (14) calendar days, a written explanation of the reasons for denial of employment, and/or an in-person interview with the hiring agent(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time. In the event an Employee does not receive his or her preferred assignment, he or she can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agent(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/601.38, and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU X of your employment contract.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees’ Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

The Office of Institutional Equity can be reached by phone at 734-763-0235 (V) or 734-647-1388 (TTY) or by emailing UniversityHR@umich.edu. The Ombudsman’s Office can be reached by phone at 734-763-3545 or by emailing Ombuds-DSA@umich.edu.

Background Screening:

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO Statement:

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity employer.