Complex Problems Program Leader (Student)

Work Where You Learn: Build Experience, Grow Skills, and Contribute to Your University Community.

This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

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Time Type:

FLSA Status:

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.

Additional Information:​

1.) Consequences

• Warning - This may be a verbal discussion or written message from the supervisor indicating that there is a concern about job performance. The discussion will include a dialog on how to avoid performance concerns in the future. 

• Probation - This is a written statement from the supervisor indicating to the staff member that there is a job performance concern that needs to be addressed. The supervisor will specify areas of performance or conduct improvement and will set a date for re-evaluation. The length of probation is to be determined by the supervisor. 

• Termination- This is a written statement from the supervisor indicating to the staff member that they will be immediately dismissed from all job-related responsibilities and privileges. 

• behaviors that may result in the PL receiving a written warning, probation, or termination include: Unexcused absence from training, unexcused absence from CP seminar class, unexcused absence from required staff meeting, programming responsibilities not met, verbal or physical abuse/harassment, failure to meet responsibilities of student employees as outlined above, and any other behaviors that contradict the responsibilities outlined throughout these guidelines for employment.

2.) Grievance Process

• If you feel you have been treated unfairly by a Complex Problems team member and you need assistance to resolve the issue, please report to one of the following: Complex Problems faculty, Complex Problems Program Manager, Senior PL or other PL, Complex Problems Program Coordinator, Complex Problems Program Manager, or Director of AU Core.

3.) Recognition of Excellent Performance 

• The performance expectations as outlined above represent the standard Program Leader job commitments. Many PLs go above and beyond expectations, through offering extra co-curricular events, inspiring meaningful changes in their seminar dynamics, supporting students in crisis, or many other possibilities. Throughout the semester, the Complex Problems staff will work to recognize and celebrate PL achievements.

4.) Time Commitment  

•  The Complex Problems program understands the PL role to be one part of the PL’s multi-faceted life at American University. The PL position requires regularly scheduled responsibilities and unscheduled responsibilities, and times at which PLs are available and accessible to students. A reasonable work schedule would include both types of time, including regularly scheduled responsibilities (CP seminars, staff meetings, etc.), and availability time at varying intervals during the day and night (one-on-one meetings with students, programming, etc.). 

 5.) Learning Outcomes   

• Build and employ knowledge of campus involvement and local opportunities, campus partnerships, and institutional resources.

• Learn the components of serving as an academic and social guide and role model for new AU students.

• Gain experience and transferable skills with administrative tasks, leadership, and personal and professional development.

• Develop interpersonal communication skills through facilitation and individual relationships.

• This position may be paid through regular student wages or a Federal Work Study award. It is the responsibility of the PL to understand their own financial aid package and impact of the PL position upon that package.  PLs are encouraged to contact their financial aid counselor when considering the position. 

6.) Role Model

• Understand that all actions of a PL (including those engaged in outside of the classroom) are observed by students, other PLs, and staff members. PLs must hold themselves accountable to University policies, regulations, and procedures.

• Be mindful of appropriate boundaries of the PL-student relationship. PLs are explicitly prohibited from pursuing any romantic and/ or unprofessional relations with students enrolled in their section of CP.

• Faculty will have individual expectations for the PL’s role in the classroom, which may include some of the following activities: provide academic support or guidance on assignments, participate in or facilitate seminar discussions, observe student participation, read and respond to discussion boards, help students who have missed class to catch up, etc.

• PLs are encouraged to show enthusiasm for learning and to take advantage of the opportunity to be part of a Complex Problems class. 

7.) Other

• This is a one-semester appointed position where reappointment is subject to a reapplication process, satisfactory job performance evaluations, and position availability. 

• The PL may be asked to participate in formal or informal evaluations during the course of the semester as directed by the supervisor. Complex Problems faculty and staff may offer performance feedback as described in the Job Performance Accountability section below. 

• PLs must be mindful of time management related to outside commitments. These commitments include other student leadership/organization positions, second jobs, internships, etc. PLs with outside commitments of over 16 hours/week must meet with a staff member to determine a time management plan. PLs must inform the CP staff of other positions held on campus (Orientation Leader, Resident Assistant, AU Ambassador, etc).  

• If job performance is compromised because of any outside commitment, the PL may be given a recommendation from their supervisor to limit or cease outside activities to improve job performance. Continued poor performance may result in employment probation or termination. 

• CP professional staff members are committed to the growth and development of the student staff members. They work closely with student staff members to provide a thorough understanding of the expectations of the PL role. The following consequences may apply should the PL’s job performance fall below minimum standards. All cases will be handled with fairness and objectivity, and PL’s should be honest with program staff about any issues that arise.  

Other Details

• This position is available only to enrolled American University students.

• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

• American University is an E-Verify employer.

• Visit https://www.american.edu/hr/ for additional information about American University employment and benefits.

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 Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu.

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