Student Engagement Administrator x2

Salary: The gross salary applicable to the post is the Assistant Staff Officer Salary Scale: €38,599 - €54,911 per annum as at 01/08/2025.

Hours of Work: The appointee will be required to work 35 hours per week together with such additional hours as may be required for the proper discharge of their duties.

Annual Leave: 23 days annual leave. The ‘annual leave year’ operates from September to August. Annual leave will be in accordance with arrangements authorised by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science from time to time.

Overview of Role & Context

The Student Engagement Administrator is based in the Student Life and Learning Office as part of the Student Engagement team. Applicants for the post should have excellent people and communication skills. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to work well in a team environment and have demonstrated their ability to use initiative. They will have experience of working in a student support environment within higher education and the ability to complete concurrent tasks within challenging deadlines.

The role involves the development, co-ordination and delivery of a range of student engagement and transition activities in the University, with a focus on first year experience (FYE) activities and programmes in a diverse student support environment.

This role will require the post holder to work across SETU Waterford campuses as required.

Key Responsibilities / Duties:

Among the key responsibilities that the post-holder will have are the following:

• Act as a central point of contact for students, to provide advice support, information and guidance in relation to student supports and services within the university. This will include:

o Participate in individual student meetings and associated follow-up and communications.

o Responding to queries by phone, online, and email.

o Liaise closely with the support services in SLL and the wider community in relation to student queries and referrals.

o Refer students to appropriate SETU supports and services as required.

• Contribute to the delivery of student orientation and FYE engagement activities including:

o Development, co-ordination and delivery of ongoing orientation activities.

o Recruitment, training and payment of Student Ambassadors and co-ordinate and oversee their involvement in Start SETU and transition activities.

o Liaising with the Engagement and Retention Officer to deliver and further develop the University’s first year transition and ongoing orientation programme.

o Support the delivery of transition and FYE programme (Start SETU, Just Ask?, P2P, etc.) in conjunction with the Student Engagement and Retention team as required.

o Support the compilation, printing and dissemination of the annual SETU Student Information Handbook and other promotional resources.

• Develop and implement student experience feedback strategies to help inform initiatives and activities. Conduct appropriate analysis of feedback and draft reports of findings.

• Contribute to other student engagement and student support activities including:

o Deliver presentations to students during information sessions, and provide advice and guidance to incoming and current students.

o Participation in open days and promotional exhibitions as organised by SETU.

o Contribute to the promotion of SLL internally including the development of new PR materials, social media campaigns, website material and the SLL Moodle Information area.

o Provide cover for Student Support Desk as required.

• Co-ordination of procedures associated with the Student Assistance Fund (and other student bursaries) in conjunction with the Student Engagement and Retention Officer including:

o Participate in assessment of the applications to the Fund.

o Update and disseminate SAF assessment guidelines to the SAF committee members.

o Assist in the preparation of EFT payment files on Cognito for SAF payments.

o Provide assistance to collate information for SAF returns and other reporting requirements.

o Monitor SAF correspondence.

o Organise and attend advice sessions for applicants.

o Develop annual reports outlining the use of the SAF fund.

• Participate in on-going training and personal development including SafeTalk, Assist and Responding to Distressed and At Risk Students or other relevant training as required.

• Maintain a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

• Engage in such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Student Life & Learning or the Student Engagement and Retention Officer.

Person Specifications

Academic Qualifications

• Leaving Certificate – having obtained at least Grade D3 in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate Examination (Higher, Ordinary or vocational programmes) or equivalent

or

• Have passed an examination at the appropriate level within the QQI qualifications framework which can be assessed as being of a comparable to Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent or higher.

or

• Have appropriate relevant experience which encompasses equivalent skills and expertise.

Experience

• At least three years relevant experience.

• At least two years relevant experience of liaising or working with and directly supporting students in a higher education setting.

• Relevant experience of supporting and co-ordinating student transition, student support or peer mentoring programmes.

• Experience of developing and delivering presentations and interactive training events and workshops.

Specific Knowledge & Skills

• Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and a proven ability to adapt to the needs of a wide range of stakeholders and work as part of a team.

• Demonstrate an ability to act swiftly and appropriately if an individual is potentially at risk or distressed.

• Strong organisational skills and ability to plan and prioritise work, manage competing deadlines.

I.T. Skills

• Excellent IT skills including:

o Microsoft Suite to include Word, Excel & PowerPoint.

o Online platforms to support student engagement programmes and activities (Zoom, MS Teams, Mentimeter etc.)

o Experience of using social media and other appropriate platforms to communicate with students.

Specific Personal Qualities

• Ability to deal with students in an empathetic, sensitive and confidential manner.

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

• Student-centred and collaborative approach to working.

• Demonstrates flexibility and initiative.