Exploring Career Opportunities at Oakland University: A Comprehensive Guide to Job Postings

Oakland University is a dynamic institution committed to fostering the full potential of a diverse and inclusive community. This commitment extends to its employment opportunities, offering a wide array of positions for students, faculty, and staff. Whether you're a student seeking valuable work experience, an aspiring academic, or a seasoned professional looking to contribute to a vibrant educational environment, Oakland University job postings present a wealth of possibilities. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the types of positions available, the application process, and the supportive environment Oakland University offers its employees.

Navigating Oakland University Job Postings: Where to Find Opportunities

For those interested in joining the Oakland University community, the primary platform for discovering open positions is Handshake. This online portal serves as a central hub for all advertised job openings, making it convenient for individuals to browse and submit their applications. The university consistently posts open positions on Handshake, ensuring that prospective applicants have access to the most up-to-date information. This digital approach to recruitment streamlines the process, allowing interested parties to easily search for roles that align with their skills and career aspirations.

Beyond Handshake, some departments or centers may express a broader interest in potential candidates. For instance, the Academic Success Center, while posting its open positions on Handshake, also conveys that they "love to hear about your interest anytime." This suggests a proactive approach to talent acquisition, encouraging individuals to express their interest even if a specific role isn't immediately advertised.

Student Employment: Gaining Experience and Developing Skills

Oakland University offers numerous opportunities for students to gain practical experience, develop transferable skills, and contribute to the university community through various student employment roles. These positions are designed to complement academic pursuits while providing valuable professional growth.

Academic Success Center Student Roles

The Academic Success Center actively hires students for several key roles:

Student Office Assistants (SOAs) are instrumental in welcoming students, faculty, and staff to the center. This role provides foundational customer service and administrative experience.
Peer Tutors offer academic support to their fellow students, reinforcing their own understanding of course material and honing their communication and teaching abilities.
Supplemental Instruction Leaders and Study Group Leaders facilitate collaborative learning environments, helping students master challenging concepts through structured group sessions.

Consistency and punctuality are emphasized for these roles, particularly for student tutors who are expected to "consistently show up on time for your regularly scheduled tutoring shifts."

University Recreation and Well-Being Student Positions

University Recreation and Well-Being (Rec Well) employs OU students in a wide range of capacities, offering significant opportunities for growth, skill development, and a fun working environment. Student employees gain transferable skills highly sought after by employers across all industries.

Wellness Ambassadors are tasked with implementing diverse wellness programs focusing on physical, emotional, and social well-being. Their initiatives can include pet therapy, rock painting, nutrition coaching, sleep habit coaching, and promoting group fitness classes. They also play a crucial role in bridging the gap between the OU community and mental health services, such as through the Green Bandana Project.
Graphic Design Interns gain hands-on experience creating promotional materials for the Rec Center. Working under a Marketing Graduate Assistant, they utilize software like Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign to produce print and digital media for social media and campus display. A portfolio of prior work is typically required for this role.
Field/Court Supervisors are responsible for monitoring activity in various sports facilities, ensuring adherence to reservation policies, and maintaining the cleanliness and orderliness of the grounds. This role develops leadership, conflict resolution, and communication skills.
Officials for sports like soccer, basketball, flag football, and volleyball learn valuable lessons in communication, perspective-taking, and impartiality, skills transferable to many career paths.
Member Services Staff at the Rec Center handle tasks such as ID checks, membership sales, and answering patron inquiries about facility services and programs. This role cultivates strong customer service and interpersonal skills.
Fitness Center Staff supervise activity within fitness areas, enforce rules, assist members with exercises, perform equipment maintenance, and instruct various fitness programs. This position requires physical capability, including the ability to lift at least 45 lbs.
Aquatic Center Staff are responsible for patron safety, enforcing facility rules, performing light cleaning duties, and providing excellent customer service.
Group X Instructors lead fun, safe, and effective fitness classes catering to all levels, including specialized classes like Cardio/Strength, Dance, Yoga/Pilates, Kickboxing, and Cycle. This role requires quick thinking, creativity, and non-judgmental instruction.
Building Managers provide leadership and oversight for the Recreation Center, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment by enforcing policies and procedures, assisting staff, and responding to emergencies.
Outdoor Complex Supervisors oversee the usage of the Recreation and Athletic Outdoor Complex, respond to emergencies and patron complaints, lead by example in customer service, and ensure fields are used properly according to the schedule. Risk management and maintaining the cleanliness of the complex are also key responsibilities.

Many Rec Well positions offer the flexibility to work around class schedules, with some allowing for study time during downtime on shift. The collaborative nature of the Rec Well Sports department and the mentorship provided by supervisors contribute to a supportive learning environment.

Other Student Roles

Circulation Desk Assistants at the Educational Resources Lab (ERL) provide first-point-of-contact service for education students, faculty, and staff, assisting with materials, technology, and general inquiries. Work-study is often preferred for this role.
Orientation Assistants for the Donna & Walt Young Honors College help with orientation events, engaging with prospective students and parents, setting up and cleaning up event spaces, and embodying enthusiasm for the college.
Program Coordinators within the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) support pedagogical initiatives through student-faculty partnerships.
Conference Assistants (CAs) play a crucial role in the Residence Halls Conference Program, assisting with administrative, clerical, and operational aspects. These positions often require living in university housing and a commitment to specific work hours and training.
Coordinating Officers (CORE, COBA, COSI) within Residence Life are student leadership positions responsible for planning and executing programming initiatives related to resident engagement, sustainability, and various cultural and awareness months. These roles involve significant planning, marketing, and collaboration.
Student Program Board (SPB) Executive Board Members are responsible for planning, marketing, and executing high-profile campus events. Various roles exist, including Directors for Annual, Special, and Diverse Events, as well as positions like Technical Director, Treasurer, Marketing Director, and Operations Event Staff. These roles demand strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills, with a minimum GPA requirement and weekly office hours.
Behavioral Health Academy Student Mentors provide guidance to students in the Behavioral Health Academy, supporting their professional growth and career planning.
Meadow Brook Estate seeks a part-time Development Coordinator to support fundraising initiatives and manage donor programs.
Data Collector positions are available within the Department of Human Development and Child Studies for a statewide preschool evaluation project.

For many student positions, criteria such as maintaining a minimum GPA and being enrolled full-time at Oakland University are often required. Internships, such as the Graphic Design Intern, typically require a one or two-semester commitment.

Faculty and Staff Positions: Academic and Administrative Excellence

Oakland University actively seeks qualified individuals for a diverse range of faculty and staff positions across its various schools and departments. These roles contribute to the university's academic mission, research endeavors, and operational efficiency.

Academic and Instructional Roles

The university frequently advertises for lecturers and instructors to teach a variety of undergraduate and graduate courses. These positions often involve developing and delivering course content, assessing student learning outcomes, and assigning timely grades.

Instructors are sought for online, asynchronous courses, such as those in health behavior and health education for Master of Public Health students, as well as courses in health policy & management.
Lecturer and Special Lecturer positions are available in numerous departments, including:
- Interdisciplinary Health Sciences: for graduate-level courses in the Interdisciplinary Healthcare Systems masterâs program, and specifically for NTR 4350 Nutrient Metabolism.
- Mathematics and Statistics: to create a pool of applicants for potential openings throughout the academic year.
- Modern Languages and Literatures: for part-time, non-tenure-track positions in Spanish, requiring a commitment to undergraduate education.
- Italian Language and Culture: to teach elementary through advanced levels of Italian language and culture.
- Theatre: for courses in Musical Theatre, Acting, or Design Technology.
- Dance: for applied dance, dance history, or choreography.
- Music: for Applied Music, Theory/Aural Skills, Music History, Music Technology, and Music Education. Specific instructor roles include Applied Percussion and Applied Clarinet.
- Philosophy: to instruct courses in Philosophy.
- Physics: to instruct introductory physics courses and/or labs.
- Psychology: to instruct courses in Psychology.
Assistant Professor positions, such as a full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Multicultural Dance, are also advertised.
Special Instructor positions, like a full-time, teaching-track position in Social Work, offer job security equivalent to tenure.
Principal Faculty are responsible for teaching, curriculum development, student assessment, and program support within the Physician Assistant Program.
Faculty positions in Biological Sciences are sought in specific areas, such as anatomy.

These instructional roles often require a commitment to excellent undergraduate teaching and the potential to contribute to curriculum development.

Administrative and Professional Staff Roles

Oakland University also offers a wide range of administrative and professional staff positions that are crucial for the university's smooth operation and strategic advancement.

Academic Advising roles provide guidance to undergraduate students in specific schools, such as the School of Engineering & Computer Science, assisting with degree programs, and managing student records, transfer credit evaluations, and graduation reviews.
Admissions Support Staff assist with the recruitment, admission, and enrollment of students, including international students, and collaborate with community colleges to enhance international enrollment.
Business Operations and Finance roles include positions that support the daily operations of deans' offices, manage financial reporting, perform accounting for university funds, prepare financial analyses, and assist with financial system administration. The School of Medicine seeks support for accounting, financial reporting, and forecasting.
Marketing and Communications roles, such as providing high-level administrative support to the Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, require strong organizational, planning, and coordination skills.
Enrollment Management positions, like the Director of Strategic Enrollment Management, provide leadership and operational support to achieve university enrollment goals.
University Technology Services seeks professionals like Core Services Engineers to perform IT tasks.
Project Management roles involve developing and implementing construction projects, including master planning, space utilization, and construction administration.
Public School Academies Support positions involve providing oversight and support to charter schools, particularly regarding pre-school programming and special education services.
Recruitment and Outreach Coordinators facilitate the recruitment, admission, and orientation of prospective students, and assist with yield and transition programs. Some of these roles are remote, requiring a home office setup in specific geographic areas.
Development Coordinators support fundraising initiatives and manage donor programs, such as at Meadow Brook Estate.
Senior Buyers procure goods and services for various university units, including specialized technical buying.
Facility Operations teams are responsible for the physical care and maintenance of buildings, event spaces, and grounds, including setting up for events and providing light housekeeping.
Infant/Toddler Director/Teacher positions oversee the operations of early childhood education centers, ensuring high-quality care and educational experiences.
Director of Annual Giving provides strategic leadership for the university's annual giving program, focusing on donor cultivation and engagement.
Bookkeeping and Financial Support Roles assist with various financial tasks, reconciliations, reports, and schedules.
Mechanics are sought for campus-wide activities related to building systems.
Human Resources roles, such as those within Academic Human Resources, are essential for managing personnel matters.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Oakland University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community and upholds a strict policy against discrimination. This policy ensures that there shall be no discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, height, weight, familial status, marital status, disability, creed, sexual orientation, veteran status, or other prohibited factors in employment, admissions, educational programs, or activities. The university is dedicated to compliance with federal and state laws prohibiting discrimination, including Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. This commitment to equal opportunity is fundamental to the university's mission and values.

Employee Benefits and Support

Oakland University recognizes the importance of supporting its employees. The university offers excellent benefits, including comprehensive health care and retirement plans, tuition assistance for employees and their dependents, and generous paid time off. These benefits contribute to the overall well-being and professional satisfaction of the university's workforce.

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Furthermore, the university provides resources such as the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, which is required by federal law. This report details policy statements and crime statistics, addressing crime prevention, fire safety, university police authority, crime reporting policies, and disciplinary procedures, underscoring the university's commitment to a safe and secure campus environment.

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