Costa Rica Study Abroad Site Director
Position: Costa Rica Assistant Site Director
Weekly Hours: Part Time Contract Position, with occasional evening and weekend responsibilities, including responding to emergencies while students are in-country. Average of 20 hours per week
Location: San Jose, Costa Rica
Anticipated Dates: November 1, 2024 - December 31, 2025
ABOUT US: Who is CIS Abroad, and why do you want to work with us?
At CIS Abroad, we believe that education abroad offers students the best chance to realize their potential and change their world. We're a nationally recognized organization that offers transformative study, intern, short-term, and custom programs across the globe. Our shared values--Passion, Fun, Cultural Competence, Trust, Change & Growth--form the foundation for all we do, and we look for employees who embody these values in their personal and professional lives. We are innovative and fast-moving, and have a fantastic home office (complete with friendly office dogs!) located in a renovated mill building in Easthampton MA. We are proud members of The Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA, and advocate member of The Global Leadership League. For more information about CIS Abroad, please visit our website at www.CISabroad.com.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Costa Rica Assistant Site Director (ASD) is a full-time contracted position responsible for assisting CIS Abroad with on site programming and operations in San Jose, Costa Rica. A few of the ASD's primary responsibilities include: overseeing logistics, helping to maintain positive partner/university relations, and student support services and operations for CIS Abroad in Costa Rica. The ASD will work with US based staff, and Costa Rican based staff to ensure that the company is delivering safe, consistent, Costa Rica and must live in or near San Jose. This position reports to the Costa Rica Site Director.
SPECIFIC DUTIES
Student Support
Assist in the coordination of arrival logistics and in the running of the program orientations (pre-arrival and on-site)
Engage with students on-site, following the guidelines in the ‘Checklist for Onsite Delivery' according to the On site Service Expectations
Warm Program Welcome
Deliver The Local Life Excursions / Activities
Mid-point check in
Farewell Celebration
Program Evaluations
Exit Interviews
Remain in close contact with students throughout their program addressing issues when they arise.
Maximize the student experience with resources, reflections and
Oversee cultural program delivery
Help to remedy any issues should they arise
Help resolve issues that happen in student housing
Help to check students into housing, and give them a housing orientation when apartments are in use
Assist with Health and Safety
Mitigate/manage risks in the local environment, including potential issues on program excursions
Follow local safety and emergency protocol
Communicate current and reliable information concerning health and safety to program participants and CIS Abroad Staff
Remain reachable by mobile phone when program participants are experiencing a true emergency
Work closely with local resources, Costa Rica Site Director, US-based International Operations Management and/or emergency response team as problems or emergencies happen on site
Enforce the CIS Abroad code of conduct when appropriate
Maintain close communication with CIS Abroad's Costa Rica university partner, so that communication flows both ways when there are issues on the program.
Assist students in getting help when mental health issues arise
Vet all possible accommodations to ensure that they meet CIS Abroad's standards
Program Development/Maintenance
Work with the Costa Rica Site Director to develop the components for future terms ‘Checklist for Onsite Delivery'
Collaborate with US office to coordinate local/regional activities and accompany program participants on these activities
Provide suggestions to the CIS Abroad International Operations Team for program delivery that will improve the student experience and/or bring the CIS Abroad student experience more in line with the mission and values of the organization
Remain knowledgeable about the academic programs and keep us updated upon changes or student's comments
Contribute to the assessment and evaluation of each program, and work to ensure continuous improvement
Marketing and Promotion
Share pictures and videos, following the Marketing Team's instructions in the checklist for Onsite delivery
Represent the CIS Abroad brand onsite using branded materials and having our values as part of every activity
Review the Program Information published on our Website every semester and send updates or suggestions
Represent the CIS Abroad brand onsite and share engaging program content in the local Instagram Account
Ensure that the CIS Abroad program is favorably presented when US partners are visiting the site; help to coordinate these site visits
Help to ensure that any visitor to CIS Abroad's programs would learn about what makes the CIS Abroad experience in Costa Rica different and special
Finances
Ensure that program stays within budget and track program expenditures for reporting purposes
Make recommendations for program inclusions, which include budget changes, well ahead of time so that budgets are set prior to student enrollment
Communications
Check emails regularly – and agrees to respond to emails within 24 hours to acknowledge receipt, even if an answer is not immediately available.
Remain available by telephone throughout working hours and check voicemails regularly when this is not possible.
Must make every effort to attend the Site Director monthly meetings, the CIS Abroad ‘All Hands' monthly meeting, and regularly scheduled meetings with the International Operations Management Team
If it is not possible to attend meetings, watch the recordings and comment in the meeting notes to ensure that staff remains up to date
Example itinerary for Semester and Summer Terms
SEMESTER PROGRAMS:
Day one: Arrival and airport pick up
Day two: CIS Orientation session, city tour and welcome lunch and activities
Day three: Welcome day at Veritas University
CIS Excursions: 3 weekend excursions (1 day trip, 1 overnight, 1 full weekend)
The Local Life Activities: 6-8 different cultural activities throughout the Fall semester
Evaluation meeting
Farewell dinner
SUMMER PROGRAMS:
Day one: Arrival and airport pick up
Day two: CIS Orientation session, city tour and welcome lunch and activities
Day three: Welcome day at Veritas University
CIS Excursions: 2 weekend excursions (1 day trip, 1 overnight)
The Local Life Activities: 2-3 different cultural activities throughout each summer session (June/July)
Evaluation meeting
Farewell dinner
SUCCESS TARGETS
Incident report protocol is followed 100% of the time
On-site Risk Management plan remains updated and is followed 100% of the time
"My sense of personal independence has increased" answers on student evaluations are 4 or 5
CIS Checklist implementation - on time and on budget, 90% of the time
FLPs receive a 90% rating or above
On-site staff and excursion budget is with /- 5% of target
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Excellent computer skills. Functional knowledge of Google Suite, Microsoft Suite, CRM. Salesforce, a plus
Bachelor's degree
Fluency in English and Spanish
Experience working with international students, preferably US university students in the field of International Education
Aptitude to thrive without a routine or daily supervision
Team player with a rockin' sense of humor
Must have a positive attitude
Outgoing, flexible, reliable, honest with an open mind
Legal ability to work in Costa Rica while getting paid in the US
Must be willing to undergo background check
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & SKILLS
Good photography skills
Comfortable working with tight deadlines in non-traditional office settings
International study/intern/volunteer/work/travel experience
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
Monthly payment of $600USD per month Paid through the US as a 1099 contractor.
CIS Abroad training program for new site directors, educating you in all facets of our organization and field, and providing you with the tools for success in your role as site director (up to 16 paid hours in your first year).
CIS Abroad provides equal opportunity to all people regardless of age, race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, or physical or mental disability. Equal opportunity applies to hiring, placement, promotion, salary determination, and all other conditions of employment. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document upon hire. By submitting your application materials to us you are also providing explicit consent for our People & Culture department to process that data within reasonable limitations under the scope of consideration for your employment. For details on how we handle sensitive data please view our Privacy Policy: https://www.CISAbroad.com/privacy-policy/
