Graduate Assistant, Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development – Division of Student Affairs
The newly formed Office of Community Engagement and Leadership Development (CELD) is seeking a Graduate Assistant to join our team. The CELD office provides community engagement and volunteering opportunities, basic needs support, voter engagement, and student leadership development programming for undergraduate and graduate students across the university. Supervised by the Assistant Director of Leadership Development, this position will get direct experience in leadership retreat support, program development and implementation (including content generation, budgeting, and contract negotiations), training and facilitation, and student organization advising and student staff supervision.
Core responsibilities include:
Programming and Event Support
Coordinate campus-wide outdoor and cultural adventure program, including program oversight, staff supervision, and budget maintenance.
Support first-year leadership and community engagement program.
Support the Fall Day Service student volunteer opportunity.
Design and run a winter community engagement experience and spring celebration.
Training, Supervision, and Advising
Train and supervise student leaders who design and lead outdoor adventures.
Hire, train, and coordinate 10 student leaders who help design and run first-year leadership program.
Train Fall Day of Service student trip leaders.
Develop training and web content around: advocacy, organizing, and philanthropy.
Advise student organizations focused on community engagement and volunteering opportunities.
Collaboration and Professional Development
Opportunities to participate in departmental and university-wide working groups.
Professional development opportunities and resources provided by the department and division.
Adaptability, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within Carnegie Mellon University. We are in search of a team member who can effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.
Qualifications:
High school diploma or GED required
Completed bachelor’s degree
Strong oral and written communication skills are required in addition to analytical skills.
A combination of education and relevant experience from which comparable knowledge is demonstrated may be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
Enrolled in a graduate program in higher education administration, educational leadership, student affairs, or related field.
The department is committed to a robust experience designed to best prepare you to apply your coursework and thrive in the field of student affairs. New opportunities and increasing levels of responsibility may be explored throughout the position in order to support the growth of the individual graduate assistant.
The Graduate Assistant position is an approximately 20-hour per week hourly position which will sometimes include evening and weekend hours. You will be provided with a laptop, workspace, and all necessary work materials for the duration of your assistantship. Anticipated employment period for the first semester is August 25, 2025 through December 12, 2025. For the second semester the anticipated employment period is January 5, 2026 through May 1, 2026. This position may be renewed for a second-year appointment concluding a successful first year.
Additional Information:
Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity. Carnegie Mellon is not a qualifying employer for the STEM OPT benefit: only the 12-month OPT may be used to work at Carnegie Mellon.
Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits.
Benefits eligible employees enjoy a wide array of benefits including comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance as well as a generous retirement savings program with employer contributions. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, take well-deserved breaks with ample paid time off and observed holidays, and rest easy with life and accidental death and disability insurance.
Additional perks include a free Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus pass, access to our Family Concierge Team to help navigate childcare needs, fitness center access, and much more!
For a comprehensive overview of the benefits available, explore our Benefits page.
At Carnegie Mellon, we value the whole package when extending offers of employment. Beyond credentials, we evaluate the role and responsibilities, your valuable work experience, and the knowledge gained through education and training. We appreciate your unique skills and the perspective you bring. Your journey with us is about more than just a job; it’s about finding the perfect fit for your professional growth and personal aspirations.
Are you interested in an exciting opportunity with an exceptional organization?! Apply today!
Location
Pittsburgh, PAJob Function
Non-CMU StudentsPosition Type
Intern (Fixed Term)Full Time/Part time
Part timePay Basis
HourlyMore Information:
Please visit “Why Carnegie Mellon” to learn more about becoming part of an institution inspiring innovations that change the world.
Click here to view a listing of employee benefits
Carnegie Mellon University is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran.
Statement of Assurance
Carnegie Mellon University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Carnegie Mellon University and has not been reviewed or approved by Carnegie Mellon University.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with automatic employer contributions to a TIAA-administered plan at 8% of base salary (and 9.78% for 9‑month academic appointments), plus optional employee deferrals. Vesting after three years is clearly specified, which helps set expectations for long-term value.
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Parental & Family Support — Parental and family support is strengthened by 100% paid parental leave for six weeks and 100% paid maternity leave for 6–8 weeks (delivery-type dependent), effective July 1, 2024. Childcare support is also referenced through a Cyert Center subsidy up to $5,000 per family, alongside no-cost EAP access.
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Wellbeing & Lifestyle Benefits — Wellbeing and lifestyle benefits include free Pittsburgh Regional Transit access and access to fitness classes and facilities, adding recurring non-cash value to the overall package. Pittsburgh’s relatively affordable cost of living can further increase the perceived adequacy of a given salary compared with higher-cost coastal hubs.
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