PAX - Program of Academic Exchange (www.pax.org) is a not-for-profit educational organization that provides global education and exchange opportunities for students, host families, schools, and communities to open doors, embrace cultures, and become family. PAX believes that this mission is served by providing young people with the opportunity to study abroad and live with a host family for an extended period of time. Each year nearly 1000 high school students from around the world participate in international exchange through PAX. While PAX has a global vision, the organization works one student at a time.
PAX is currently seeking a Student Support Specialist to join our high school exchange program team. This position provides support to high school exchange students who are struggling with disciplinary issues or health issues or who are having significant difficulty adapting to American culture or host family life.
PAX has offices in downtown Seattle, WA and in New Rochelle, NY (conveniently located a short walk from the New Rochelle Metro-North rail station, 30 minutes from Grand Central). Many PAX employees work remotely from home at locations across the country and the successful candidate may choose to work remotely full time or to work from the New Rochelle or Seattle office.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide support to the exchange program team on student supervision cases that involve medical issues, mental health issues, disciplinary issues, or ongoing adaptation issues that have not resolved after initial interventions from the student’s local coordinator and regional director.
- Provide support to students, host families, and local coordinators on student medical and insurance related issues, helping students to locate participating providers and navigate the insurance claims process in complex medical cases.
- Manage disciplinary and other supervision cases to resolution; gather relevant information from all parties involved, coordinating efforts with other team members; prepare recommendations consistent with program policies and regulatory requirements; document decisions accurately and ensure student case files and other records are properly maintained and organized.
- Draft student file notes, guidance letters, and incident reports as needed; ensure that communication with all external audiences demonstrates organization’s responsible management of participant support.
- With guidance from Support and Supervision Director, communicate with overseas partner organizations on student supervision matters.
- Provide 24-hour emergency on-call support to participants, sharing on-call duty with other team members.
- Ensure compliance with Department of State regulations, CSIET standards, and PAX policies and procedures.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Undergraduate degree and minimum of 3-5 years experience in education, international relations, nonprofit management or related field required; previous exchange program experience or other experience working with high school students preferred.
- Organized and detail-oriented with strong analytical and problem solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to work productively under pressure and the ability to be flexible, adapt to changing situations, and take direction well.
- Flexibility and willingness to adjust work schedule to meet the demands of an unpredictable caseload, including the need to work on emergency cases that may arise after hours.
- Experience working with high school students preferred.
- Experience in international exchange, education, or related field preferred.
- Experience studying or living abroad or working with diverse cultures preferred.
- Familiarity with US Department of State regulations and CSIET standards governing high school exchange programs a plus.
- Computer literacy including proficiency in use of MS Office applications and experience using database systems.
How to Apply
Your application must include a resume and cover letter. Your cover letter should highlight your specific interest in this position and why you believe it is a good fit for your skills.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $45,000.00 - $55,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
- Work from home
Experience level:
Schedule:
Application Question(s):
- Please describe your previous international or intercultural experience (e.g. exchange program participation or work experience, time spent living abroad, experience working with diverse populations, etc.)
- Please describe your previous experience working with high school students.
Education:
Experience:
- international relations, education, or nonprofit management: 3 years (Required)
Work Location: Remote