Seasonal Study Abroad Specialist

AFS-USA is part of a worldwide network of AFS partner organizations that work together to advance global education and foster meaningful connections across cultures. As the network’s largest partner, AFS-USA works to increase the global competency of U.S. citizens by providing a variety of international and intercultural learning experiences to individuals, families, schools, and communities. We are proud of our Staff from our national office in New York City as well as home offices across the county, who collaborate with our more than 2,000 AFS-USA Volunteers to deliver high quality programs and global education resources. These include immersion-based study abroad experiences in over 40 countries worldwide; opportunities to host foreign AFS exchange students; and global learning workshops and curricula for educators, schools and businesses.

The primary responsibility of the Seasonal Study Abroad Specialist is to work with the Study Abroad team to support study abroad program management by creating and disseminating program, visa, and scholarship communications, providing quality customer experience, and fulfilling administrative duties associated with the study abroad program application and program preparation processes.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITES:

Build and maintain customer relationships with a variety of AFS-USA constituents (Applicant, Family, Volunteer, AFS Partner, Educator, etc.) through various touch points, including phone, email, and application chatter.

Guide, support and inform students and parents through the visa application process.

Provide students and parents with detailed program information, including program costs, program and country choices, scholarship and fundraising opportunities, and reasonable and clear program expectations.

Assist with informing the applicants of status changes such as program acceptance, host family placement, scholarship award notifications, etc.

Drafting Program Acceptance Letters

Visa outreach to partners

Visa guidelines online research (Consulate websites, AFS Market Place)

Assisting with organizing, emailing, and mailing visa support documents

Communicating with parents/students about visa related matters

Manning Zen Desk and responding to program inquires.

Assisting Study Abroad Specialists (SAS) with tasks such as sending program acceptance and placement updates.

Sending out program information for summer programs

Assisting with Program-Prep Webinars (Managing chat, preparing webinar materials)

Sending out Program Offer and Financial Aid letters

Collecting and organizing donor thank you videos and letter

Troubleshooting video essays

WORK EXPECTATIONS:

The regular business hours of AFS-USA are Monday - Friday, 9AM - 5PM eastern. However, you may work a schedule outside of these hours dependent on the needs of your department.

While we have staff working from our national office in New York City as well as home offices across the county, the Study Abroad team is remote and would expect this position to be remote as well. There will be an opportunity to work in the New York office for those who are in the greater NYC area.

This position is expected to begin in early-April 2024 and is expected to continue through October 2024. Applicants must commit to the full duration of the position.

SALARY:

The compensation for this position is $23/hourly. This position is eligible for overtime pay and sick & safe time.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Associate’s degree preferred in Liberal Arts or relevant degree.

Customer Service and/or Sales experience

Administrative experience including data entry

Strong communication and interpersonal skills. Comfort speaking on the phone is critical.

Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications

Sound time management skills and professional judgment.

Able to deal with shifting and conflicting priorities.

Detail oriented, while able to see the big picture.

Ability to speak with people of diverse backgrounds.

International/intercultural exchange experience (living or studying abroad or exposure to other cultures) is a plus.

Experience with Salesforce a plus.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY:

AFS-USA is committed to maintaining a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity. We seek applicants from all backgrounds to ensure that we have the best, most creative talent on our team.

NON-DISCRIMINATION:

AFS-USA is committed to a work environment in which all individuals are treated with respect and dignity. AFS-USA prohibits all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation, including behavior which targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics, such as but not limited to: race, color, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), national origin, age, disability, military service, veteran status, marital status, partnership status, sexual orientation, familial status, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage, citizenship status, caregiver status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sex offense or stalking, unemployment status, status as a certified medical marijuana patient or any other legally protected classification.