Navigating Student Employment at Kennesaw State University: Opportunities and Requirements

Kennesaw State University (KSU) offers a diverse range of employment opportunities for its students, playing a significant role in both the university's operational framework and students' professional development. The Department of Sports and Recreation, in particular, stands out as one of the largest student employers on campus, with various roles that are integral to its overall operations. These positions are not merely jobs; they are stepping stones that provide valuable experience, enhance skills, and contribute to serving the KSU community and its members. Throughout the academic semester, student employees can expect flexible hours, ranging from early mornings to late nights and weekends, accommodating various academic schedules.

Diverse Roles within the Department of Sports and Recreation

The Department of Sports and Recreation at Kennesaw State University encompasses a wide array of positions, each contributing to the vibrant campus life and the well-being of its students. These roles are designed to offer practical experience and foster a sense of responsibility and engagement.

Group Fitness Instructors: Inspiring Health and Wellness

Group Fitness Instructors are enthusiastic and motivating individuals tasked with leading fun, safe, and effective exercise classes. They offer instruction across a variety of formats, including indoor cycling, yoga, cardio fitness, and strength training. The path to becoming a group fitness instructor is incredibly rewarding, requiring patience, time, and commitment. This role is ideal for students passionate about fitness and eager to inspire others to achieve their health goals.

OwlFit Personal Trainers: Tailored Fitness Journeys

The OwlFit Personal Trainer team is dedicated to designing individualized exercise programs. These programs are crafted to assist clients in accomplishing their personal fitness goals, thereby developing a rewarding experience for both the trainer and the client. Similar to group fitness instruction, the journey to becoming a personal trainer is rewarding but necessitates patience, time, and commitment, offering a structured approach to helping others achieve their fitness aspirations.

Outdoor Adventures Staff: Facilitating Exploration and Skill Development

The Outdoor Adventures program offers roles that involve managing risks and instructing outdoor skills. The Outdoor Adventures Desk Attendants are specifically responsible for overseeing the point of sale system for Outdoor Adventures programs and services. This role is particularly focused on facilitating team-building activities, encouraging valuable debriefs, and managing the use of portable elements. A mandatory training session is scheduled during the week of July 30-August 3 for these positions. The hours for these roles are often determined by scheduled group activities, providing a dynamic work environment.

Lifeguards: Ensuring Aquatic Safety

Lifeguards at the Recreation and Activities Center (RAC) are entrusted with the critical responsibility of ensuring the safety of everyone within the aquatic facilities. This includes Kennesaw State University’s Kennesaw and Marietta Campus Recreational Facilities, which feature one outdoor pool, two indoor lap pools, and a spa area. The primary duty of the lifeguard staff is to survey patrons and monitor safety in and around the pool areas. Beyond surveillance, there are opportunities to instruct swim classes. While certified lifeguards are preferred, training will be provided for those who meet the prerequisites. These essential skills include the ability to swim 300 yards continuously, tread water for 1 minute, recover a 10lb brick from 10 ft. of water, and swim 20 yards to the end of the pool. Certified swim instructors are also preferred but not necessary, as training will be provided for those interested in teaching. The overarching goal is to ensure the safety of all users, distinguishing their role from providing general training advice to patrons.

Service Desk Attendants: The First Point of Contact

Service Desk Attendants play a crucial role in the daily operations of KSU's recreational facilities. They are employed to ensure patrons have authorized access and use of the facility, providing a welcoming first impression. These attendants assist in greeting, screening, and referring visitors to the appropriate recreation program and staff. They are also responsible for disseminating accurate information and answering questions regarding hours of operation, programs, and policies. Furthermore, Service Desk Attendants handle the check-in and check-out of facility and/or fitness equipment made available for patron convenience. They also monitor adherence to facility rules regarding items such as drinks, food, and gum.

Marketing and Design Assistants: Promoting KSU Recreation

Student assistants in graphic design and marketing play a vital role in promoting the Department of Sports and Recreation. Graphic Design student assistants collaborate with the Marketing Coordinator on the layout and graphic design of departmental marketing materials. This includes flyers, posters, digital assets, and promotional materials, ensuring they align with department and University guidelines. The Marketing and Promotions Assistant is responsible for broadly marketing and promoting the Department of Sports and Recreation to the KSU community through various programs and special event opportunities. This position requires a thorough understanding of the department and its various program areas and facilities. The assistant will be tasked with distributing promotional materials across campus, engaging with community members, and maintaining a presence at special events. The Social Media Student Assistant works closely with the Marketing Coordinator to implement the department's social media strategy. This role involves creating and scheduling daily posts, researching marketing tools, identifying trends, and exploring promotion opportunities. Ideal candidates are creative, outgoing, capable of working with minimal supervision, and possess strong attention to detail, with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Sport Programs Support: Fostering Participation and Engagement

Within the Sport Programs umbrella, roles are dedicated to fostering a welcoming atmosphere for participants in various activities such as soccer, softball, and volleyball. These positions often involve supporting the planning and execution of intramural and club sports, contributing to the overall positive experience of student athletes and participants.

Graduate Assistantships: Advanced Opportunities

Kennesaw State University’s Department of Sports and Recreation also offers valuable Graduate Assistant (GA) positions, providing advanced opportunities for students pursuing master's degrees. These appointments typically begin in August and conclude in May, with each position requiring approximately 20 hours of work per week. Applications for these competitive roles must include a cover letter, resume, and three references.

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Fitness Graduate Assistant

The Fitness Graduate Assistant position is offered to students accepted into an applicable graduate program at KSU. The GA will be responsible for assisting in the management of the comprehensive fitness program, contributing to the strategic direction and operational execution of fitness services offered by the department.

Facility Operations and Competitive Sports Graduate Assistant

These positions are established through an agreement between Kennesaw State University and Georgia State University. Applicants must be accepted as graduate students into Georgia State University’s Sport Administration, M.S. program. These GAs will assist in the management of the Recreation and Wellness Center (RWC), contributing to areas such as supplies, payroll, and student staff management. They are also expected to assist with special events held within the SRAC and RWC.

Sport Programs Graduate Assistant

The Sport Programs Graduate Assistant plays a key role in overseeing a comprehensive Intramural and Club program. This includes marketing and promoting Department of Sports & Recreation Sport Programs (DS&R CS) events, generating interest, and assessing the campus student population's interests to inform program development. The GA will provide feedback and recommendations for events and programs based on campus community interactions and will develop, plan, and execute training for student staff, Sport Programs volunteers, and officers on both Marietta and Kennesaw campuses. They will also be involved in other programs and events within Sport Programs.

Aquatics Graduate Assistant

The Aquatics Graduate Assistant is responsible for assisting in the management of a comprehensive aquatics program. Reporting directly to the Aquatics Coordinator, their primary duties include overseeing daily aquatic operations, coordinating program schedules, conducting facility inspections, ordering supplies, processing payroll, and managing student staff. Applicants for this position must be accepted into a master’s degree program at either Kennesaw State University or Georgia State University. If applying through Georgia State, acceptance into their Sports Administration, M.S. program is required.

Understanding Internships and Employment Status

KSU provides guidance on distinguishing between internships and employment, particularly concerning the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Courts have historically used the "primary beneficiary test" to determine whether an intern or student is, in fact, an employee. This test examines the "economic reality" of the intern-employer relationship to ascertain which party is the "primary beneficiary." Key factors considered include the extent to which the intern and employer clearly understand that there is no expectation of compensation. This test is flexible, and no single factor is determinative. If an intern's experience is primarily observational, shadowing someone and learning from them, they may not need to be vetted through Human Resources as an employee.

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International Student Employment Regulations

Kennesaw State University is committed to supporting its international student population in navigating employment regulations.

F-1 Students

F-1 students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. During official school breaks or the summer vacation period, F-1 students may work full-time (more than 20 hours per week). It is crucial for F-1 students to remember that their primary purpose for being in the United States and the way they maintain their legal status is through enrollment in an SEVP-certified school. F-1 students are eligible for on-campus employment from their first semester. However, before starting any employment, it is imperative to complete the F-1 Student Check-In process in iStart.

J-1 Students

J-1 students can also work up to 20 hours per week when school is in session. With proper authorization from their J-1 visa sponsor, J-1 students may work more than 20 hours per week during academic breaks.

Social Security and Employment

KSU's Human Resources department requires a Social Security Card for employment. International students needing assistance with this process can submit a Social Security Support Letter request in iStart, found under F-1 Student Services.

Maintaining Employment Eligibility

Student assistants generally must maintain half-time enrollment to remain eligible for their positions. However, KSU understands that circumstances may require retaining a student worker who graduates or ceases to be enrolled half-time, and provisions exist for such situations.

The Hiring Process at KSU

Kennesaw State University has streamlined its hiring process to ensure efficiency and compliance.

Handshake: The Centralized Career Platform

Hiring student workers, including student assistant positions, Federal Work-Study (FWS), graduate assistant positions, and internship positions, now takes place in Handshake, KSU’s Career Management System. Students actively utilize Handshake to discover all types of job opportunities available to them. Employers wishing to recruit KSU students must register in Handshake as an employer contact with Kennesaw State University (KSU). For assistance with Handshake, including navigating unwanted notifications or setting up departmental profiles, resources are available.

On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Employment

Determining whether a job is considered on-campus employment can sometimes be unclear. Generally, positions that are physically located on the KSU campus and are part of the university's direct operations are considered on-campus employment. This includes roles within the Department of Sports and Recreation, as well as Resident Advisor (RA) positions, which are indeed classified as on-campus employment.

Multiple Employment Positions

Students are permitted to hold multiple on-campus positions simultaneously, provided they adhere to all relevant employment regulations, particularly for international students regarding work hour limitations. An F-1 student, for instance, may participate in on-campus employment and Curricular Practical Training (CPT) but cannot exceed a combined total of 20 hours per week for both employment types during the academic term.

Ad-Hoc Salary Changes and Terminations

For external employers or departments managing student employees, processes are in place for salary adjustments and employee status changes. To submit an ad-hoc salary change request, the OneUSG MSS system is utilized. Similarly, when a student employee resigns or finishes their employment, a termination request must be submitted via OneUSG MSS.

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