Arc is the cool older sibling at UNSW. We pride ourselves on our obsession with student life because we know that the best part of going to uni is all the fun stuff you do outside the classroom. Our mission is to create the best student experience and we do that through a huge range of opportunities and services available to students online and in person. Working at Arc you’ll join a welcoming team of passionate people who believe in listening to students, working together and constantly being better. Plus there are plenty of employee perks like cake, volleyball, Arc Wellness and heaps more.
The Yellow Shirt Officer’s primary objective is the coordination and administration of Arc’s vision for O-Week and overall orientation experience. This will mean facilitating the orientation of first year students to UNSW both during, pre and post O-Week. The Officer recruits a diverse team of volunteers to achieve a well-rounded O-Week, with the Officer acting as a liaison to ensure all members are working together to achieve a coherent outcome. The Yellow Shirt Officer is to develop these volunteers personally, socially and professionally.
Job Description
KEY TASKS & ACCOUNTABILITIES
Arc & O-Week Ambassador
Represent Arc as the face and inspiration of O-Week to volunteers, students, prospective students, UNSW and Arc staff;
Act as the connection between Arc staff and Yellow Shirt volunteers
Include all Arc staff in relevant Orientation and Yellow Shirt events
Liaise regularly internally with Arc staff; and externally with the University and associated bodies to ensure the success of the O-Week program and maintain strong working relationships;
Work closely with Arc’s Orientation Coordinator to deliver Yellow Shirts activities, tours and other activations and services for T1, T2 and T3 O-Weeks.
Volunteer Coordination
Act as the connection between O-Week volunteers especially between the Organising Team and Squad Leaders & Yellow Shirt volunteers;
Act as the connection between all members of the Organising Team to ensure that the team is efficiently working towards the same coherent goal; prioritising first years in all decision making and creating a positive environment for volunteers where they feel valued and rewarded in their volunteer experience.
Assist with recruitment, selection, training, and support of a diverse range of volunteers to fulfill program objectives in collaboration with the Orientation Coordinator
Work alongside volunteers to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed to successfully fulfill program objectives.
Establish clear expectations for volunteer roles, reinforcing nonnegotiables and nice-to-haves, with guidance from the Orientation Coordinator.
Collaborate with volunteers to monitor workload, ensuring balance and preventing burnout.
Liaise with the Orientation Coordinator to support volunteers and ensure tasks are completed to deadlines.
With aid from the Orientation Coordinator, provide oversight on volunteer performance, addressing any issues as needed.
Monitor volunteer morale and collaborate on strategies to maintain engagement and well-being.
Support volunteers, particularly senior volunteers, through regular meetings and check-ins.
Work closely with the Orientation Coordinator to oversee Yellow Shirt, Squad Leader, and Organising Team operations during and leading up to O-Week.
Project Coordination
Responsible for the running of all Yellow Shirt Orientation programming;
Monitor the program budget, track expenditure, and ensure all activities are delivered within the allocated funds.
All files, reports and data are managed efficiently and are regularly maintained ensuring that information is up to date and accurate;
Liaise closely with other Arc departments to ensure departmental goals are incorporated into the Orientation program;
Prioritising the delivery of programming with the most direct, significant and positive impact on incoming students;
Work with other Arc staff to ensure the Yellow Shirt-run programming for T1, T2 and T3 O-Weeks are well executed;
Undertake other related duties as reasonably requested by the Orientation Coordinator, Director Student Programs & Wellbeing and Director of Student Engagement;
Comply with Arc Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) policy and procedures to actively participate in the achievement of a safe working culture;
Demonstrate behaviour in accordance with Arc @ UNSW values and Code of Conduct.
Actively engage in fair and equitable workplace practices and behaviour to ensure discrimination-free workplace in accordance with legislative requirements;
Desired Skills and Experience
QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
SELECTION CRITERIA
A current UNSW student, continuing studies throughout the time in the role (until Feb 2026 minimum)
Previous experience within the Arc “Yellow Shirts” volunteer program;
Ability to effectively incorporate need of first year University students’ needs to enable and achieve student enrichment; Demonstrated passion and enthusiasm for student life on campus, nonacademic programs and services offered to students by Arc @ UNSW;
A holistic understanding of Arc, O-Week, and the Arc “Yellow Shirts” volunteer program, including the roles and responsibilities of all positions within the program;
Demonstrated project planning and administration skills, including experience in planning, overseeing and finalising the completion of projects to deadlines;
Excellent problem-solving skills including the ability to troubleshoot under pressure;
High attention to detail with proven organisational skills and the ability to manage time effectively and meet deadlines;
Proven interpersonal skills with high emotional intelligence, and the ability to positively engage with many different types of people;
Strong ability to self-motivate, and ability to work independently;
Demonstrated resilience; flexible and adaptable - the ability to handle setbacks and unexpected problems, to address unforeseen changes and make alterations to plans and procedures to satisfy new frameworks;
Proven skills and experience in developing and managing volunteers and leading teams;
Well-developed oral and written communication skills;
DESIRABLE CRITERIA
Experience in the administration and management of budgets and financials;
