Athletic Facilities and Events Graduate Assistant

Aurora University (AU) is committed to the transformative power of learning by creating a student-centered environment and an equity of experience and opportunity, to ensure that students, faculty, and staff of all backgrounds feel welcome and included. Our culture of collaboration, generosity, and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty, and staff.

AU is grounded in the transformative opportunity it provides to a diverse student body. As a private university with a public mission and a commitment to making a difference in peoples’ lives, AU has a long history of resilience and of providing access to an education that values innovation, focuses on continuous improvement, and has a positive impact on the communities we serve. We are proud of our service to and economic impact on the state of Illinois, where over 80% of our students stay to live and work, where 90% of our students come from, and where we foster strong community partnerships to develop the workforce in areas such as nursing, education, business, technology, and social work.

We are looking for passionate and purposeful individuals who represent the full diversity of Aurora and who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ability, identity, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. When you join the team at AU, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative, and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice requiring broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners.

At AU we believe that continuous learning is a fundamental part of working life, and our goal is for all colleagues on our campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support our community by providing all employees with opportunities to engage in professional development activities, as well as a range of tuition and employee benefits that can be found here.

Compensation includes full tuition for the master's program and a stipend, with specific details to be provided during the hiring process.

Position Purpose:

The Aurora University Athletic Department is seeking a dedicated individual to join our Facilities and Events department as a graduate assistant, starting in summer 2025. This two-year position offers an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in facilities and event management within a collegiate athletics setting. The role includes overseeing game management, ensuring compliance with standards set by the Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference (NACC), Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW), and the NCAA. Additionally, the Graduate Assistant will help manage daily facility operations and assist with supervision at Spartan Athletic Park.

Core Competencies:

  1. Represents Aurora University in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, clients, suppliers, and the community we serve. Interacts effectively with a diverse group of faculty, staff, students and other customers of our service, learns and uses operating practices of the department and Aurora University.
  2. Upholds the Mission Statement: Aurora University is an inclusive community dedicated to the transformative power of learning. As a teaching-centered institution, we encourage undergraduate and graduate students to discover what it takes to build meaningful and examined lives. We empower our students to achieve lasting personal and professional success.
  3. Handles all information with tact and discretion and recognizes the confidential nature of university business.
  4. Supports learning through performance of essential job functions and performing other duties and functions as necessary or as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:

  1. Assist in coordinating all aspects of game day management, including setup, in-game operations, and post-event breakdown.
  2. Support ticketing, scorekeeping, and crowd management, while adhering to policies for sportsmanship and safety.
  3. Collaborate with staff to manage any special events or outside rentals, handling tasks as needed to ensure smooth execution.
  4. Provide general support to athletic staff, contributing to a professional, organized event environment.
  5. Scheduling of facilities (practices, games, rentals).
  6. This role requires flexibility, including the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed to support athletic events and facility operations.

Essential Job Requirements:

Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree.

Experience:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly and respectfully.
  • High level of professionalism, demonstrating maturity and sound judgment, especially when handling sensitive information.
  • Strong attention to detail, critical thinking skills, and a proactive attitude.
  • Willingness to learn, take initiative, and adapt to new situations.
  • Ability to serve as a positive role model, upholding university values, and contributing to a welcoming community atmosphere.

Special Requirements:

  • Interested applicants must also apply and be admitted to an in person or online two year master's program. For more information regarding admission to the graduate program at Aurora University, please visit https://aurora.edu/academics/graduate/index.html

Benefit-eligible positions offer excellent benefits including health, dental, life, vision, long term disability, a 403(b) retirement plan through TIAA, and tuition remission.

To apply, please send resume, cover letter, and contact information for three references including name, telephone, and email address.

Aurora University
Human Resources
347 South Gladstone Ave
Aurora, IL 60506
jobs@aurora.edu - email

Aurora University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.