Welcome Desk Specialist

Please note, this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program.

POSITION OVERVIEW:
This position is responsible for proposing and overseeing resources and services at the Coffman Memorial Union Welcome Desk and will participate in the planning of
Welcome Services in the new St. Paul Campus Center. A key part of this role will be continuing to launch services, as well as assessing function and processes. Additional responsibilities include supervising students who provide support to general patrons of the building, student group support, wayfinding for the building and campus, and promotion of special events and student involvement opportunities through partnerships.

The Welcome Desk in the Coffman Memorial Union opened in June 2022 and the St. Paul location will open as a part of the new St. Paul Campus Center. The St. Paul services are currently provided by existing locations in the St. Paul Student Center, and part of this role will be working with those locations to ensure access to services. This position is expected to complete assessments and proposals independently for review by their supervisor. They will work with their supervisor regarding on-call shifts to support student staff, which may include evenings and weekends. This position reports to the Organizational Support Manager.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Operations and Outreach (30%)

• Assist Org. Support Manager with researching and determining improvements and expansion opportunities for the Welcome Desk Services in Student Unions & Activities (SUA) facilities
• Determine and monitor Welcome Desk initiatives and some broader patron services in Student Unions & Activities facilities. This includes close coordination with managers and supervisors of other front facing services
• Partner with colleagues in Student Unions & Activities to offer and promote programs, resources, and services
• Partner with colleagues in other University departments to offer and promote programs, resources, and services
• Partner with SUA Building Services to implement unique collaboration opportunities with SUA building partners
• Facilitate and support the Wellbeing Space initiative in conjunction with the SUA Event Services office
• Coordinate assessment and evaluations for all resources and services

Supervision (30%)

• Supervise the operations of the Welcome Desk in Coffman Memorial Union, including student employees.
• Supervise and support 10-20 Welcome Desk student employees
• Follow departmental standards for student development
• Set and manage student employee responsibility and accountability expectations
• Guide and coach students to respond to patron and partner questions and needs
• Provide opportunities and assistance for students to develop leadership skills, organizational skills, communication practices, and experiences working on teams and with a diverse group of people
• Utilize inclusive practices to recruit, train, and retain student employees

Organizational Support Assistance (20%)

• Assist the Org. Support Manager in producing and distributing communications to SUA Fulltime and Student Employees about meetings, retreats and other organization-wide resources.
• Produce and distribute email communications to University departments aimed at identifying and strengthening partnership opportunities
• Support the Org. Support Manager's marketing area's strategy to plan and implement promotions of organization support resources.
• Assist in student outreach and community-building efforts through tabling, departmental partnerships, and workshop facilitation.
• Assist with administrative processes overseen by the Organization Support area, like tracking training completion for staff and student employees, meeting and training resources, and follow up surveys, assist with on-boarding and offboarding tasks for staff and student employees
• Student Advisory Board (SAB) support:
  • Assist with coordinating the SAB annual schedule logistics
  • Assist with coordinating reservations for regular meetings and retreats

Resource and Service Management (10%)

• Monitor the operations and services of the Welcome Desk in the Coffman Memorial Union and St. Paul Student Center.
• Monitor and allocate an annual budget in excess of $200,000 for the operation of the Welcome Desk programs
• Review and streamline welcome desk services, including but not limited to , prize pick up, general building postings, and building lost and found, mail and packages, ordering departmental supplies, website updates, maintain Google groups/listservs, pay invoices
• Assist in the enforcement of applicable departmental and university policies
• Assist the Org Support Manager on various projects, including staff meetings, Student Advisory Board support and training workshops for staff and students.
• Work with supervisor to schedule on-call shifts for special events
• Assist in access and security support procedures for SUA Facilities

Other Duties and Projects as Assigned (10%)

Required qualifications: Bachelor's degree or a combination of related education and work experience to equal at least four years. Candidates must demonstrate excellent written and oral communication skills along with a strong customer service orientation. Previous experience supervising employees and/or managing other's work. Education and/or experience in administrative support, office operations, project and/or event coordination.

Preferred qualifications: Knowledge or experience managing a front desk or information desk. Knowledge or experience working with students in a student union or university environment.

About the Department:
Student Unions & Activities (SUA) is a department within the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Minnesota. SUA operates three facilities: Coffman Memorial Union on the East Bank campus, services within the West Bank Skyway, and the St. Paul Student Center. The department has a total of 65 fulltime staff, representing all employee groups except faculty, and approximately 200 student employees.

SUA's mission is to provide a variety of programs and services to the University community that enhance the social, educational, and cultural environment of the University of Minnesota. These services include student basic needs support, facility= rental, entertainment and educational programs, oversight of student activities, and support for a diverse array of student groups. SUA fosters an environment of excellence through 3 core pillars: Inclusive Engagement, Culture of Belonging, and Embracing Innovation. Learn more at sua.umn.edu.

Pay Range: $25.72 to $27.30 ($53,497 - $56,784 annually); depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type: Civil-Service & Non-Faculty Labor Represented Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the
time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures
that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while
maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and
equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates
will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Priority Deadline Note: The application review will begin on Monday, November 9, 2026

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail jobcentr@umn.edu.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by Forbes as a Best Employer for Company Culture (2026), Best Employer for Women (2023, 2025, 2026), and Best Employer by State (2022-2026). In 2026, we also received Culture Excellence & Industry Awards recognition for employee appreciation and work-life flexibility.