The Fulbright Program serves as the flagship of international exchange programs. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, the Fulbright Program’s mission is to promote mutual understanding between people of the United States and the people of other countries. The Fulbright Foreign Student Program brings citizens of other countries to the United States for graduate study at U.S. universities or other appropriate institutions. The Institute of International Education (IIE) West Coast Program Officer supervises participants during their stay in the United States and coordinates components of the U.S. Fulbright Program.

The Program Officer is responsible for managing a caseload of international graduate students . The Program Officer will be responsible for representing IIE at meeting and events with the program sponsor and organizing events for grantees. The Program Officer will be responsible for collaborating with other team members to troubleshoot challenging grantee cases. Work is carried out independently under general supervision.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. IIE may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

•Directly manage a student case load of grantees. Management of caseload involves monitoring grantee recipients, including support for academics, living and cultural adjustment needs, and travel and visa concerns; counseling international students regarding cultural issues, academic and financial matters, work policies and personal issues; advising and providing support for grantee enrichment events and response to emergency situations.

•Serve as the main point of contact for students and liaison with universities.

•On behalf of IIE, represent the Foreign Fulbright Student Program at sponsor events, education fairs, local and regional conferences and educational institutions. Visit regional university campuses to maintain effective working relations with university personnel and support Fulbright students. Deliver program presentations to large groups at conferences and university meetings.

•Maintain in depth knowledge of legal requirements related to day-to-day management of grantees, reducing legal risks and ensuring regulatory compliance with J visa regulations and Fulbright Program policy. Coordinate with other West Coast Student Services team members and colleagues on other Fulbright teams based in New York, including Global Exchange Operations (GEO), Foreign Fulbright Programs Division, Placement, Enrichment and Outreach as needed.

•Ensure that participants’ data are correctly entered into databases and spreadsheets, and that documents and paperwork are complete. Create and maintain database and spreadsheet files.

•Ensure compliance with applicable contract and sponsor requirements and following all IIE policies and procedures.

•Develop best practices for managing a large caseload of grantees

•Resolve complex grantee cases. As appropriate, conduct effective, thorough and objective investigations and coordinate with West Coast Fulbright Services Assistant Director

•Monitor budgets and maintain financial records; ensure that all travel and expenses are paid correctly; provide reports on as as-needed basis; create, review and manage grantee budgets.

•Organize and facilitate guidance sessions and selection committee meetings and prepare visitors’ schedules.

•Approximately 10-15% domestic travel required.

•May be responsible for supervising and training temporary staff and interns.

•Performs other duties and functions as assigned.

Job Requirements Education/Experience:
•Bachelor’s degree in related field required. Master’s Degree preferred.

•A minimum of 2- 4 years of work experience required. Experience working in education is required; work experience with student visas (J, F) highly preferred.

•Work or study abroad experience outside of the U.S. highly preferred.

•Experience working in higher education; on a U.S. Government sponsored program; and/or at a non-profit organization preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

•Familiarity with higher education systems, immigration regulations and country policies.

•Strong working knowledge of student advising disciplines including but not limited to case management, student and university relationship management, compliance, and applicable legal issues, including J-1 visa regulations.

•Excellent interpersonal skills, strong written and oral communication skills and strong cross-cultural sensitivity. Demonstrated ability to work with international and graduate students required.

•Proven ability to work well with various types of business contacts (internal, grantees, U.S. universities, community partners such as the Fulbright Association).

•Demonstrated ability to handle a heavy workload with a high degree of adaptability, strong problem-solving skills, and ability to manage multiple conflicting priorities.

•Demonstrated relationship-building, consultative and training skills. Positive, proactive attitude and ability to contribute to the broader student services team.

•Demonstrated ability to resolve complex problems and initiate enhancements through technology, research, and networking skills among organizational teams and professional organizations.

•Must be a strong team player with the ability to establish effective working relationships with peers and superiors.

•Perform detail-oriented work with a high level of accuracy.

•Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.

•Advanced knowledge of relevant software, including Microsoft Office Suite, as well as databases, spreadsheets, web conferencing, extranet, and web and social media networks.

•Fluency in a language other than English helpful.

Work Environment and Physical Demands: Essential functions are typically performed in an office setting with a low level of noise. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

How to apply:

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