Academic Competitions and Summer Programs Coordinator

Note for Current UM Employees

Current employees must apply internally via ConnectU > connectu.olemiss.edu

The University of Mississippi

"The University of Mississippi — fondly referred to as Ole Miss — stands as a premier public research institution with a proud legacy of academic distinction. We are devoted to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community where every member — student, faculty, and staff — can achieve their fullest potential.”

Department Summary

The Division of Outreach and Continuing Education consists of ten departments and over 100 employees. The mission of the Division of Outreach is to create innovative and accessible pathways to academic, personal, and professional enhancement for a diverse body of learners through collaboration with our community, regional, and national partners. The Division values integrity, quality, and efficiency in the creation and implementation of innovative educational strategies to enrich lives through exploration, engagement, and transformation.

The Office of Pre-College Programs, located within the Division of Outreach and Continuing Education, offers transformative opportunities for learning and development to children and youth across the state, the nation, and the world. Our portfolio includes an online high school, dual credit courses, summer residential programs, and competitions. Please visit www.outreach.olemiss.edu for further information about the division and our programs.

Role Specifications

Below you will find classification and compensation information.  For additional details behind the University of Mississippi classification system please visit Human Resource Compensation Page

Family -Student & Academic Services

Sub-Family -Student Programs

Career Track / Level - P2

Grade -6

Role Summary

This position plans, coordinates, organizes and oversees all steps in the preparation and delivery of events such as conferences and academic competitions as well as summer non-credit programs for K-12 students. The Program Coordinator will lead the planning, logistics, staffing, and execution of these activities, managing overlapping timelines for multiple projects and programs. In coordinating these processes, this position will supervise temporary staff of both students and professionals, ensuring the safety of minors during their stay on campus, monitoring compliance with University as well as national organization policies and procedures, and ensuring high-quality academic experiences representing the University of Mississippi to audiences of K-12 students, their families, and educators. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication skills, an effective approaching to working with parents and children, and an understanding of how to coordinate shared action with multiple stakeholders.

Key skills

• Familiarity with Microsoft Office
• Attention to detail
• Strong organizational and time management skills, self motivation, and initiative
• Strong verbal/written communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders
• Availability to work occasional evenings and weekends, especially during summer and event days 

Examples of Work Performed

Preparation and Planning 

• Develop timelines and checklists for upcoming events, coordinating with faculty and/or campus partners to schedule venues, speakers, judges, instructors, etc.
• Collaborate with the Enrollment Team to maintain accurate participant rosters and manage participant registrations using spreadsheets and University student information systems.
• Prepare rosters, attendance sheets, name tags, and related materials for teachers, competition judges, and campus partners.
• Collaborate with campus partners (Housing, Dining, Transportation, IT, etc.) to coordinate event logistics.
• Liaise with external partners (schools, vendors, sponsors) regarding program details.
• Reserve rooms, order supplies, arrange transportation, and organize meals or accommodations for events. 

Leadership and Compliance 

• Manage daily leadership and supervision of summer programs, including addressing disciplinary, health, or safety concerns with students during daytime, weekend, or evening programming; monitoring temporary staff attendance and performance; and facilitating co-curricular evening activities for minor residential students in June/July. 
• Lead day-of-event execution by managing check-in, directing attendees, providing direction to support staff, and troubleshooting issues for competitions and conferences. 
• Procure, monitor, and maintain inventory of event materials and equipment, ensuring compliance with University Procurement processes and budgeting. 
• Train and guide student workers, summer instructors, or seasonal staff for events and summer programs. 
• Make recommendations to Pre-College leadership regarding program budgets, changes to procedures, and program designs. 

Communication 

• Attend and lead regular team meetings with the Pre-College Programs staff. 
• Respond to emails or phone inquiries from parents, students, campus or external partners. 
• Plan and draft communications such as reminders, instructions, updates to send to parents and student participants and collaborate with marketing to implement such plans. 
• Collect and review participant feedback surveys.
• Debrief with team members and update planning documents for future improvement. 

Essential Functions

These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following.  Additional essential functions may be identified and included by the hiring department.

1. Provides general guidance to students who need help navigating university resources such as academic support services, mentoring and career counseling programs, mental and physical health care services, and financial management services. 
2. Supports facilitation of student orientations, workshops, and programs on the areas listed above.
3. May support student programs designed for targeted student populations, such as first-year students, transfer students, first-generation college students, and/or low-income college students.
4. Creates and distributes communications to targeted student audiences under general supervision.
5. Updates and maintains confidential student records.

Minimum Education/Experience

Education: Bachelor's Degree

Experience: (3) Three Years Experience

Substitution Statement: An equivalent combination of related experience and education may be considered for this role. Substitutions of the required experience or education will be assessed on a 1:1 substitution basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Resume and cover letter required for full consideration.
• Experience in K-12 or camp settings preferred. 

EEO Statement

The University of Mississippi provides equal opportunity in any employment practice, education program, or education activity to all qualified persons. The University complies with all applicable laws regarding equal opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based upon race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship, age, disability, military status, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status.

Minimum Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements:  These physical requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. 

Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements.

Physical Exertion:  The incumbent may be required to lift up to approximately 10 pounds.

Vision:  Requirements of this job include close vision. Speaking/Hearing: Ability to give and receive information through speaking and listening.

Motor Coordination:  While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to talk and hear; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The incumbent is periodically required to sit. The incumbent is occasionally required to stand; walk; and reach with hands and arms

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called for an interview must notify the Department of Equal Opportunity/Regulatory Compliance in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

Background Check Statement

The University of Mississippi is committed to providing a safe campus community. UM conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.