What are the responsibilities and job description for the GPA - Filmmaking position at Maryland Institute College of Art?
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Job Title: Graduate Program Assistant (MFA in Filmmaking)
Department: Office of Graduate Studies
Division: Academic Affairs
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Assistant Director, Office of Graduate Studies
General purpose: Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to promote dialogue, the exchange of information, and timely communications between students, directors, and the Office of Graduate Studies.
One (1) GPA positions are available in MFA Filmmaking beginning in Spring 2025, for incoming (Class of 2027) first-years in the program. GPAs are expected to commit to two full academic years of service.
Summary of Essential Functions
- Responsibilities as outlined below in Essential Duties & Responsibilities and Program-Specific Duties.
- As student leaders in the graduate community, GPAs are required to uphold graduate policies, procedures and standards.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
- Attend and participate in GPA Training, Graduate Student Orientation, Student Voice Association and Graduate Student Council Meetings and Town Halls, and regular check-in meetings with the Office of Graduate Studies, including a minimum of two (2) Graduate Studies-sponsored leadership development opportunities, workshops, and/or discussion sessions over the course of the academic year.
- Weekly planning meeting with Program Director to assess needed tasks for the weeks ahead.(Zoom or in-person)
- Support the Office of Graduate Admission during Graduate Admission Open House and Visit Days.
- Communicate important information from the Program Director and Office of Graduate Studies to students.
- Resolve student and programmatic issues, concerns, and solutions in dialogue with the Program Director.
- Monitor your program’s shared spaces to ensure they are being used, cleaned, and shared in a responsible way; report any issues to the Program Director, Operations Coordinator, and/or MICA Facilities.
- Support Program Director with an annual series of programmatic activities including lectures, dinners, and hosting visiting artists and critics on campus. Related administrative duties including documentation of activities and updating the program’s social media and mica.edu website pages may apply.
- Support Program Directors and the Office of Graduate Admission with various tasks related to the admission process including arranging for prospective student visits of the facilities.
- Report technical issues to Technology Systems and Service (TSS).
- Report maintenance issues to the Operations Coordinator and/or MICA Facilities.
Program-Specific Duties:
- Reserve and set up equipment and projectors for visiting workshop leaders, filmmakers and student presentations.
- Work with the Program Coordinator to confirm accommodations prior to the arrival of visiting artists, designers, and/or scholars.
- Report studio space issues for maintenance to the Film Centre’s Tech Manager.
- Maintain social media updates (Facebook & Twitter) for the program.
- Maintain alumni database; communicate program updates to alumni.
- Perform weekly updates for the Film Centre monitors through Signagelive.
- Facilitate visiting Filmmakers:
- Verify lodging and transportation arrangements
- Procure meals when part of the visit
- Set up equipment as needed
- Have any requisite forms ready for their signature
- Record Film Centre Events and edit when necessary.
- Work with Film Centre staff to schedule and promote film screenings and lectures of interest to the Film Centre community.
- Work with Film Centre Tech Manager, Cage Manager, undergraduate Film and Video Chair, and Film Centre administrators in support of Film Centre operations.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- GPAs will communicate clearly and courteously and respond quickly, maintaining sensitivity to the needs and cultures of individual graduate programs.
- GPAs will have a strong work ethic and must be prompt, focused, self-motivated, flexible. Must respond well to feedback and work towards a stress-free environment.
- GPAs will be able to work both independently and collaboratively.
Minimum qualifications:
- Enrollment as a student in the MFA Filmmaking program
Student Performance Policy
The Office of Graduate Studies and Program Directors evaluate individual performance and attendance at required GPA events throughout the semester. Continuation in the GPA Program requires your consistent adherence to the roles and responsibilities listed above. The Office of Graduate Studies expects GPAs to participate in all required events and activities. Inconsistent participation can lead to dismissal from the GPA Program. If you are dismissed from your role as a GPA, your status as a student in your graduate program will not be affected.
Physical demands and work environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; balance; stoop; talk or hear. The employee must occasionally lift up to fifteen (15) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
- Work environment: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually minimal.
- Required training: GPA training and orientation.
Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.
Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.
MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.
