Student Experience and Makerspace Specialist

Make a difference at one of Florida’s premier institutions for education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Florida Polytechnic University, ranked the No. 1 public college in the region by U.S. News and World Report, offers a unique working environment that encourages faculty and staff to be part of a culture that prizes collaboration, innovation, and the willingness to go above and beyond to ensure our students and University succeed. Florida Poly offers a small campus academic environment where students form connections with their faculty and peers as they pursue high-value degrees in engineering and applied sciences.

The University is equipped with cutting-edge facilities and equipment and two award-winning, architecturally distinct academic buildings. Its evolving curriculum, designed to meet the needs of industry and provide a life-long educational foundation for students, has helped the institution grow in prominence since its opening in 2014. Florida Poly’s deliberately small classes, affordability, and outstanding graduate outcomes have helped it earn recognitions such as being named a top value school, in the top 25 nationally for affordability, and in the top five best universities in the South for tech students. Accredited by ABET and SACSCOC, Florida Poly is educating some of the brightest minds in Florida and attracting standout talent from across the nation.

   

JOB TITLE

   

Student Experience and Makerspace Specialist

   

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

   

The Student Experience and Makerspace Specialist is responsible for the oversight, development, compliance, and operational support of all Registered Student Organizations (RSO) and the Makerspace. This position ensures that RSOs and the Makerspace function in alignment with university policies, fiscal procedures, and leadership standards while fostering student engagement and organizational effectiveness.

   

JOB DESCRIPTION

   

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate facility reservations and oversee logistical planning for RSO meetings, programs, and events.
• Collaborate with the Student Organization Committee (SOC) to review and approve new RSOs, ensuring proper onboarding, compliance, and a structured launch process.
• Supervise RSO executive board elections to ensure fairness, transparency, and adherence to governing policies.
• Coordinate and facilitate monthly RSO leadership meetings in collaboration with the Student Organization Committee (SOC) to communicate policy updates, deadlines, and procedural changes. Provide training to RSO leadership and advisors as needed.
• Attend RSO meetings and events to verify attendance tracking, procedural compliance, and adherence to university guidelines.
• Track and verify that RSOs meet minimum qualification standards quarterly.
• Collect and analyze engagement data (e.g., PhoenixLink, surveys) to assess Executive Board effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Support the Audit and Budget process by communicating funding timelines, requirements, and organizational needs.
• Review, approve, and reconcile RSO expenditures, ensuring compliance with Student Government Association (SGA) Audit and Budget Committee fiscal guidelines and university procurement policies.
• Collaborate with university administration to ensure timely purchasing of approved materials, supplies, and services.
• Compile, maintain, and manage the RSO Asset Database, including tracking acquisitions, transfers, storage, and asset removal processes.
• Coordinate organization travel logistics, ensuring submission of proper documentation, risk management forms, reservations, and detailed itineraries.
• Maintain a comprehensive and accurate calendar of RSO and Makerspace meetings, events, and programs to support strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Oversee the management and ongoing development of Modern Campus, the University’s student engagement platform, ensuring accurate content, accessible resources, and effective tools that support student involvement, organization operations, and campus engagement.
• Review and approve RSO promotional materials for clarity, accuracy, and policy compliance.
• Coordinate with University Marketing to facilitate the timely posting of digital flyers and promotional content.
• Communicate regularly with RSOs regarding package pickup, meeting scheduling, asset storage, and operational support.
• Attend weekly Student Organization Committee Meetings to help facilitate communication.
• Supervise, train, and schedule Makerspace student staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in higher education administration from an accredited institution of higher education or a related field
• One year of related professional experience.
• In lieu of a degree, we may consider an appropriate combination of relevant education, experience, and/or certifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Master’s Degree in higher education administration from an accredited institution is preferred.
• Excellent human relations and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex and detailed projects/tasks.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written
• Strong commitment to excellence in education and service.
• Ability to handle multiple competing priorities, and set and meet deadlines
• Proven ability to organize and host events.
• Effective, persuasive interpersonal communication skills to gather information, resolve problems, and assess situations.
• Ability to coordinate major projects.
• Preferred knowledge of issues, trends, policies, and best practices that are relevant to student affairs.
• Excellent human relations and communication skills.
• Experience managing complex and detailed projects/tasks.

REQUIRED LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND/OR OTHER SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS OF LAW:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• This position requires a criminal background check, which may include a Level II screening as required by Florida Statute §435.04.
• This position is subject to federal and state privacy regulations.

NORMAL WORK SCHEDULE: This position is exempt/salary exempt.  The normal work schedule is Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. However, occasional overtime (weekends and evenings) may be required.

 

TARGET HIRING SALARY: $50,500 - $52,000, commensurate with experience.

 

LOCATION/WORK MODEL: Full-time/On-site

Note: We will NOT consider employment-based visa sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline Date: The position may be open for 14 days with a minimum of 7 days; however, we will begin reviewing applications immediately.

 

Application Process:

 

In addition to completing the online application, all applicants are required to upload the following as attachments to the application (preferably in PDF format):

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) Professional References

 

If any of these three items are missing, you will not be considered for the position. References will not be contacted unless you are selected as a finalist for the position.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:

Florida Polytechnic University is an equal opportunity/equal access institution. It is the policy of the Board of Trustees to provide equal opportunity for employment and educational opportunities to all (including applicants for employment, employees, applicants for admission, students, and others affiliated with the University) without regard to race, color, national origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status or genetic information.

Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. An appointment is not final until proof is provided.

FLORIDA POLY BENEFITS INFORMATION

Florida Poly qualified employees have the opportunity to take advantage of a variety of health benefits (through the State of Florida) to help meet their specific needs, as well as the needs of their family. This comprehensive coverage includes flexible spending accounts, medical and life insurance, and worker's compensation.

Health benefits are administered through People First, on behalf of the State of Florida, as pre-tax insurance plans. People First handles all new hire enrollments, coverage changes, premium administration, and dependent eligibility. Their Service Center is staffed Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.–6 p.m. EST, at 1-866-663-4735.

RETIREMENT

Florida Poly offers great options for retirement. From the required selection of a state plan to additional voluntary retirement plans, our employees have many opportunities to save and prepare for their future. Click Here for more information. 

OTHER BENEFITS

• Discounts & Perks

• Annual Leave

• • To help promote work-life balance, Florida Poly provides a generous leave program, which includes paid time off and paid holidays. Qualified employees may accrue 22 days of annual leave. In addition, the University observes the holidays listed in our University Holidays policy FPU-1.008.

• Sick Leave

• • Qualified employees may also accrue 12 days of annual sick leave and participate in our Sick Pool Program.

• Employee Assistant Program (EAP)

EXPLORE LAKELAND FLORIDA

Conveniently located along I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, Lakeland is home to Florida Polytechnic University and many other businesses and attractions. Click here to explore Lakeland, Florida.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING ATTACHMENTS:

 

Required attachments are listed on each posting.   Please be sure to attach all required documents in the Resume/CV field before continuing through the application. Once your application has been submitted, no changes may be made and additional attachments will not be considered. 

 

An unofficial copy of the degree/transcript is acceptable during the application process. For positions requiring a degree, the official transcripts are required upon hire. 

 

Foreign Transcript: Transcripts issued outside of the United States require a equivalency statement from a certified transcript evaluation service verifying the degree equivalency to that of an accredited institution within the USA. This report must be attached with the application and submitted by the application deadline.

 

All document(s) must be received on or before the closing date of the job announcements.

  

This position requires a background check, which may include a level II screening as required by the Florida Statute §435.04.