Sports Information Graduate Assistant

PRIMARY PURPOSE/SCOPE

The Graduate Assistant (GA) will be responsible for promoting a department that is in harmony with the Christian principles of Bluefield University. The graduate assistant will give support to the athletic sports information team included within the athletic department of Bluefield University, while fostering and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND FUNCTIONS

The GA will report to the Director of Athletic Business Operations. The GA is responsible for the following:

• Departmental Administration

• Promote habits/policies/procedures that are in harmony with and supportive of, the institutional mission and philosophy of Bluefield University.

• Aid in game day management to include statistical and promotion support.

• Provide an understanding of all NAIA regulations pertaining to sports information.

• Work with athletic administrative, coaching, and institutional marketing personnel as well as other departments to promote Bluefield University Athletics.

• Marketing/Media

• Aid in the management of the athletic website for assigned sports.

• Manage social media of the athletic department.

• Produce regular media/information to grow the brand and reach.

• Game Day Operations

• Perform statistical functions in accordance with NAIA and AAC policy

• Assist in the coordination of broadcasting for each home contest.

• Create content for use in social media and website media.

• Assist with game day operations as needed.

• Assist in event implementation and assigned operational needs.

• Complies with all rules, policies, and procedures as established by Bluefield University.

• Complies with regular attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours.

• Interprets University policies to employees and enforces safety regulations.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and ability to demonstrate, explain, and perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations, using some combination of the following skills and abilities:

• Must be able to support the Mission Statement, purpose, and goals of the University, and express a personal Christian commitment.

• The GA must possess a minimum of a B.S. /B.A. degree.

• The GA must have a current and working knowledge of NAIA regulations.

• The GA must possess sufficient manual dexterity to be able to operate all office equipment including but not limited to modems, scanners, copy machines, typewriters, computers, and faxes.

• Basic computer knowledge (MS Word, MS Outlook, MS Excel, Adobe Suite).

Each GA is required to maintain all requirements set forth by the program in which they are enrolled. This is to include:

• Minimum GPA requirements

• Program progression requirements

• Minimum of 6 enrolled credit hours per semester

ERGONOMIC REQUIREMENTS

• Physical Demands

• The position of the GA Sports Coach is a physically demanding job. The functions are performed sitting, standing, and running. The GA Sports Coach should be in sufficient physical condition to perform administrative and coaching duties. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Driving vehicles and transportation of athletes are duties that are required at various times. Tasks such as working at a computer or typewriter involve extensive wrist and hand movements. All individuals are required to be able to perform these movements without significant risk or injury to themselves or others, or otherwise demonstrate or explain how they can perform these essential functions listed above or listed in a particular position description.

• Specialized Equipment Requirements

• The use of specialized equipment listed here is representative of equipment an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. This position requires equipment typically used in a modern office environment, including personal computers, calculators, copiers, and fax machines.

• Working Conditions and Environment

• The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the duties, responsibilities, and functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties, responsibilities, and functions. This position has no specific working conditions; the work environment is typical to that of a small private residential institution of higher education, with physical remote site locations within 500 miles of the main campus in Bluefield, Virginia.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS

The qualification standards of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• A Christian commitment and lifestyle that acknowledges a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and a personal commitment to the Christian purpose and mission of Bluefield University.

• Professional appearance and presentation in the working environment (including business casual attire).

PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

The GA's performance will be based on the ability to meet departmental and divisional objectives. Performance will also be based on the ability to advance institutional objectives. The criteria for evaluation in this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Ability to develop media to advance the university brand.

• Ability to fulfill job description requirements as listed above in a timely and effective manner.

• Ability to perform administrative functions such as supervision, budget preparation, and management.

• GA's will be formally evaluated twice a year with evaluations taking place throughout each semester.

APPROVALS

The job duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements delineated above should not be interpreted as an all-inclusive list of the same. Additional duties, responsibilities, functions, and requirements may be assigned as deemed appropriate. The University reserves the right to change or reassign job duties, responsibilities, and functions, or combine positions at any time. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However, no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on the University. Position descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The University maintains its status as an at-will employer.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

To apply for this position, please visit https://www.bluefield.edu/employment/ to complete the electronic staff employment application and upload the following:

• Letter of interest

• Resume or Curriculum Vitae

• Names and full contact information for at least three professional references

• Statement of Christian Faith

Hard copy application materials may be sent to Judy Pedneau, Director of Human Resources at Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, VA 24605, [email protected].

To be considered for this position, all application requirements listed above must be completed.

Bluefield University is a Christ-centered, multicultural learning community that values and seeks faculty and staff who represent diverse backgrounds and perspectives, are committed to diversity, work effectively with diverse populations, and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation.

Bluefield University is a private, not-for-profit institution affiliated with the Baptist General Association of Virginia. Bluefield University shall not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University-administered programs. This institution encourages women, minorities, veterans, and individuals with disabilities to apply.