Employer: States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs
Location: Seattle, WA
Posted August 30, 2016
Education: Bachelor’s degree

4-H is the largest youth development organization in the USA, growing confident young people who are empowered both for life today and prepared for careers tomorrow. 4-H is found in more than 70 countries around the world. In the United States, 4-H is a community of six million young people learning leadership, citizenship, and critical life skills.

States’ 4-H International Exchange (States’ 4-H) is a not-for-profit organization with a commitment to enhance world understanding and global citizenship through high-quality cultural immersion and exchange programs for 4-H youth (age 9 – 18) since 1972. States’ 4-H coordinates short and long term inbound & outbound programs. Students live with volunteer host families, build friendships, and develop an international perspective, cultural competencies, and communication and leadership skills that serve them throughout their lives.

The Program Manager is responsible for implementing and executing all aspects of States’ 4-H exchange short-term inbound programs. The individual must display the tact and intellect necessary to effectively direct and retain a dedicated team of coordinators and volunteers, and be able to effectively motivate teams to take action when necessary. This position requires initiative, ownership, diplomacy, high cross-cultural competency, well-balanced judgment, attention to detail, creative solutions, a results-driven approach, professional demeanor (often under stressful circumstances), and both compassion and leadership. This position works in a small office environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manage and administer all aspects of international short-term inbound student exchange programs (currently 7 exchanges with approximately 700 participants, Japan Inbound being the largest program): planning, implementation, daily operational administration, financial tracking, and execution including providing support and guidance to staff/volunteers in the US and foreign partners, vetting online host family applications, overseeing timely placement of students with host families, conducting orientation, and monitoring/handling student issues.

Help identify program improvements and better policies, participate in the bi-annual board meetings with international partners, and develop/revise program materials for the organization, coordinators, students and host families.

Evaluate and analyze all aspects of the inbound programs, perform research, compile data, and write reports for the organization’s Annual Reports and other publications.

Help organization with branding, marketing and social media advancement. Maintain/develop organization’s websites and social media; create promotional materials and other publications.|

Analyze, strategize and help develop and expand inbound programs. Represent the organization at meetings, conferences, and other functions; travel and work with U.S. and international partners as necessary.

Solicit, compile and write articles, as well as design the organization’s Annual Newsletter.

Assist in planning, coordination, and execution of the organization’s Annual Coordinators’ Conference, while also conducting workshops and training for the coordinators and volunteers.

Assist in other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s Degree (B.A, B.S.) plus 2 – 4 years related experience in an office environment or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
  US citizen or permanent resident; must pass criminal background check.
• Must exhibit strong interest in youth development, belief in the value of international student exchange and commitment to following program requirements in order to achieve educational goals.
• Strong project management skills, including systematic implementation of plans, strong attention to detail, ability to be self-organized, flexibility, and ability to juggle multiple priorities.
• Must be able to creatively identify solutions, possess excellent judgement, think independently, and remain focused on a positive end result.
• Strong oral and written communication skills including presentation skills and business writing skills with intercultural sensitivity.
• Personal intercultural or international exchange experience, proficiency in a foreign language (especially Japanese) is a plus.
• Relationship management skills are critical. Diplomacy and exemplary interpersonal skills required. Must have the ability to work effectively with people with different levels of experience and expertise from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Speaks clearly and persuasively in all situations with intercultural awareness while adhering to program policies. Experience in counseling and/or mediation is a plus.
• Ability to thrive in a fluctuating environment. Work effectively under pressure and meet deadlines without compromising program quality.
• Must be a cooperative team player.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher and Power Point.
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite a plus.
• Occasional travel required (10 – 15 days per year; national)

To apply, see original posting at Idealist.org.