"Complex Problems Program Leader (Student)"

Job Details

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community. This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

Important guidance for current American University employees: American University current employees, including those employed in student positions, must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into your employee Workday account and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings. Applying outside of your employee Workday account may cause delays in a hire process.

Department: Complex Problems Support

Time Type: Part time

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Job Description:

Summary:

The Complex Problems (CP) Program Leader (PL) is an undergraduate part-time student staff member of Complex Problems. The PL fulfills a vital role, mentoring new AU students by helping them to integrate learning experiences gained from both inside and outside of the CP seminar. The PL builds community within the CP seminar by providing academic and social guidance and serving as a liaison between faculty and students.

The PL reports to the Complex Problems Staff and is expected to work closely with the faculty member to support the students in their seminar. PLs additionally meet with a Senior PL and a small group of peers throughout the semester. Emphasis is placed on the PL as a responsible leader and colleague, representing Complex Problems as part of the total campus community.

Essential Functions:

1. Meetings and Communication
   • Attend and be on time for all Complex Problems seminar meetings; prepare for seminar appropriately.
   • Attend weekly team meetings with Senior PLs/ CP Staff.
   • Attend planning/one-on-one meetings with assigned faculty member.
   • Utilize AU email account and check email daily for correspondence regarding PL roles.
   • Communicate regularly, maintaining positive relationships with faculty, Senior PLs, and CP Staff.
2. Programming and Student Support
   • Plan, implement, and report on a minimum of three (3) co-curricular learning opportunities for students in collaboration with the faculty.
   • One of these co-curricular learning opportunities must be completed within the first six weeks of the semester.
   • Engage each student in the seminar in a 1-1 discussion within six weeks of the semester.
   • Meet with students in the seminar as needed throughout the semester via office hours or scheduled appointments.
3. Community Facilitation
   • Work to develop and facilitate an environment in the class in which students can grow and learn socially as well as academically.
   • Promote tolerance and consideration in the attitudes and behaviors of students in the seminar.
   • Engage in and facilitate class discussion when appropriate.
   • Advise and/or refer students within the scope of the PL’s training and ability concerning academic, personal, and social matters.
   • Apply knowledge of the University’s resources, including facilities, services, academic support, and involvement opportunities.
   • Provide social and academic guidance where appropriate.
   • Serve as a liaison between students and faculty.
   • Maintain regular communication about seminar activities and student progress.
   • Provide input and feedback when appropriate.
   • Serve as a liaison between students and CP staff.
   • Share updates about seminar and student progress with Senior PLs and/or CP staff.
   • Determine plans of action for areas of concern in partnership with CP staff.
4. Other Responsibilities
   • Send a welcome email to students enrolled in your CP seminar prior to the semester.
   • Meet with or communicate with your CP seminar’s instructor prior to the semester.
   • Report concerns and violations of published University policies, regulations, and procedures in an accurate and timely manner to CP Staff.
   • Abide by FERPA and American University professional and ethical standards of conduct, maintain confidentiality, and not release private information regarding staff and/ or students.
   • Perform other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude CP Staff from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

• Part-time.
• Approximately 5 - 7 hours per week or 80 hours total for the semester.
• Approximately 5 - 7 hours per week as follows: 2.5 hours of the CP seminar, 30-minute planning/one-on-one meeting with faculty, 2 hours of availability for students and course preparation, and 30-minute weekly team meeting with Senior PL.
• The number of hours worked may fluctuate week to week – a PL may work more or less than 5 hours per week, as necessitated 1-1 meetings early in the semester, ongoing student support, and co-curricular programs. The total hours worked during the semester should not exceed 80 hours.
• When performing duties related to the PL position and for the expected hours per week, the PL role will be the staff member’s first priority. PLs should be prepared to arrange their schedule to prioritize the PL role, maintaining job performance as well as their own academic progress.
• Each PL is responsible for recording and submitting hours worked on their timesheets during each pay period before the assigned deadline.
• This position runs from January 9th, 2026, to May 6th, 2026.

Salary Range: $17.95 per hour.

Required Education and Experience:

• The PL is an undergraduate student, enrolled in a degree-granting program with full-time status (minimum: 12 credits, maximum: 17.5 credits).
• PLs must have achieved 30 credits at AU (and be in sophomore class standing) and have successfully completed CORE 105, CORE 106, or CORE 107.
• PLs are expected to prioritize their own academic work and progress; as such, PLs should aspire to maintain their typical academic performance or a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 while serving in this role.
• Academic credits, judicial standing with American University, and GPA will be verified prior to the start of the semester.
• All PLs must attend and fully participate in required staff training prior to the beginning of the semester.
• Requests to miss any portion of training must be submitted in writing in advance to the Program Coordinator of Complex Problems.
• PLs must attend departmental training and development activities as scheduled throughout the semester.