Program Specialist, Office of Global Studies, and Engagement

General Position Summary of Position:

Reporting to the Director of the Office of Global Studies and Engagement. He/she is responsible for assisting and supporting by engaging among international students and visiting scholars, on-campus students interested in participating in a study abroad and internationalization experiences. This individual assists the Program Director in proving services to internationalization initiatives.

This position is 100% funded for a minimum of a four-year grant period with a possibility of extending beyond, depending on grant funding.

Essential Job Functions:

Assisting with the development and implementation of advising materials, student information sessions, study abroad fairs, student seminars, and faculty workshops.

• Serving as first point of contact for students and faculty members interested in community engaged learning initiatives that include an international component.
• Executing grant proposals and supporting documents based on the funding requirements of the organization; thus, one must be effective in grant writing and must have excellent research and communication skills.
• Generating high-quality proposals, narratives, applications and supporting documents in response to solicitations consistent with all policies and procedures of Fort Valley State University including the requirements and guidelines of the funding agencies
• Working with appropriate personnel to research, develop, write, and submit letters of inquiry, concept papers and grant proposals.
• Coordinating and follows-up on the progress of submitted proposals.
• Researching and identifying new government, corporate, foundation and private funding prospects to match program priorities.
• Serving as the National Student Exchange (NSE) coordinator
• Participating as a strategic planner and leading program assessment to evaluate the effectiveness and areas of improvement for program.
• Assisting in the revising of program policies and procedures for the Internationalization Program.
• Serving as advisor to students participating in the study abroad program.
• Advising enrolled and prospective study abroad students on academic and intercultural issues related to study abroad programs and destinations.
• Assisting the Director in developing and implementing a recruitment strategy for on-campus and prospective international students
• Assisting in designing and conducting outreach and recruiting events, including fairs, information sessions, and University-wide events related to internationalization initiatives.
• Assisting in conducting post-implementation analysis on various internationalization components to determine the area(s) for further enhancements, and/or additional process/policy components.
• Advising on-campus student applicants who which to participate in the study abroad program by evaluating applications procedures.
• Implementing pre-departure orientation sessions for outbound students and co-curricular events for returning students.
• Assisting in advising students about visa requirements and application procedures.
• Assisting the University Officer Designee for maintaining student records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Coordinating and supporting the social and academic integration of F-1 students to enhance student retention and cultural experiences.
• Assisting with orientating internationalization program, open houses, outreach events, International Education Week planning and other events to support a sense of belonging for the international students and scholars.
• Advising the International Student Alliance
• Other duties as assigned.

Immigration Support:

• Advising and supporting students with issues related to compliance related to acceptable immigration documentation.
• Providing referrals to campus legal counsel and/or the Human Resource Office to support immigration related concerns.
• Staying up to date with international and on-campus students on matters related to state and federal policies and legal updates that may impact travel abroad.

Required Skills, Abilities and Knowledge of:

• Intersectionality in terms of all aspects of diversity including diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of college students.
• Promoting legal and compliance among for on-campus students who plan to study abroad and international students relative to international travel and experiences.

Budgeting Procedures:

• Computer skills involving databases, spreadsheets, word processing, web based interactive communication, social media and/or other applications utilizing appropriate software to the functions that promote internationalization.
• Promoting safety policies, practices, procedures and requirements of the department, College and university pertaining to injury prevention.

Skills Required:

• Strong interpersonal communication, presentation of information, listening, and cross-cultural or intercultural communication skills.
• Efficiency in utilizing various levels of Excel, PowerPoint and/or graphic Design software.
• Ability to advise individuals of diverse backgrounds with various levels of English proficiency.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and public speaking capabilities.
• Ability to take appropriate steps to promote and sustain effective working relationships within a diverse multicultural environment and understand the needs of on-campus and international diverse population.
• Ability and strong knowledge to develop a zero-based budget, manage it by tracking all the expenditures, and make budgeting predictions.

Skills: Preferred:

• Experience living in and working- a studying abroad program.
• Strong knowledge to create effective methods in supporting international students by providing with various rich-cultural experiences.

Education and Training:

• Bachelor's degree required; master's degree preferred.

Physical, Mental, and Environmental Demands:

• Work requires weekend and evening availability as needed.
• At times, the incumbent will be sitting for long hours and using computers.
• Hearing and speaking are required for communication.
• Work requires flexibility in terms of time, and physical demands.
• Work occasionally requires physical exertion such as lifting heavy objects over thirty-three pounds.
• Interruptions and meeting with a variety of people will is required on a regular basis.
• There are several deadlines and multiple requirements associated with this position, which may cause significant stress.
• This position description is not intended to contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities.

Additional duties may be assigned based on the needs of program best practices.

Current Openings for Program Specialist, Office of Global Studies, and Engagement Jobs at Fort Valley State University