FLSA STATUS: Exempt
SALARY RANGE: $55,000 - $62,000
SUMMARY
The CLS Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students spend eight weeks abroad studying one of thirteen critical languages. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. The CLS Program, through its CLS Spark initiative, also provides beginner-level virtual instruction for Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Russian for competitively selected U.S. undergraduate students whose home campuses do not offer these languages. CLS scholars are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers. By prioritizing inclusion and access, the CLS Program ensures that the next generation of America’s global leaders reflects its diversity.
The Program Officer position reports to the CLS Program Manager and is responsible for program administration and logistics, communication with program participants and partnering institutions in India and Indonesia, which provide immersion language programs for Hindi, Indonesian, and Urdu. The Program Officer remotely manages a team of Resident Directors. In addition, the Program Officer works with a team of regional Program Officers to analyze program successes and challenges and work on projects to implement changes and improvements across program sites. The Program Officer also works on select recruitment activities and monitoring selection panels during the application season, both in coordination with the larger CLS team.
The position requires close attention to detail, the ability to handle multiple tasks and work independently, and a readiness to communicate with diverse groups of people. While organizational skills and administrative experience will be an important plus for any candidate, an extensive understanding of academic culture for study abroad programs is also important. Some travel will be required.
*Please note that the language portfolio may change at any time in response to adjustments to program offerings and staffing.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist in the administration of institutional partner agreements and budgets;
- Coordinate with overseas partners on program components;
- Assist in writing and preparation of reports and grant proposals for funding agencies;
- Respond to participant requests and inquiries;
- Oversee and direct visa processing;
- Prepare and distribute program materials and handbooks;
- Organize and participate in pre-departure orientations for outbound groups;
- Coordinate recruitment of short-term Resident Director staff positions;
- Advise and provide training to on-site Resident Directors;
- Manage weekly conference calls with on-site Resident Directors and maintain daily email correspondence, as needed;
- Arrange overseas travel and logistics for outbound groups;
- On call in summer to respond to emergencies--may involve limited unscheduled work hours;
- Contribute to team projects for the development and revision of program materials on a regular basis;
- Maintain relationships with language teaching professionals and networks;
- Process check requests, prepare invoices and track program payments and expenses;
- Assist in program recruitment, outreach, and selection efforts;
- Facilitate ongoing communications with program alumni;
- Assist in organizing teacher-training workshops and other professional development activities;
- Additional duties as assigned.
