FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

PAY RANGE: $60,000 - $67,000 /year

POSITION SUMMARY

Based in Washington, DC, the Program Officer will support the administration, daily operations, alumni activities, and events for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth. NSLI-Y provides merit-based scholarships for eligible U.S. high school students to study languages critical to U.S. national security and economic competitiveness.    NSLI-Y is a program of U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs; American Councils leads its administration in cooperation with partner organizations. To learn more about the program, please visit the NSLI-Y website at www.nsliforyouth.org.

The Program Officer will report to the NSLI-Y Director for Administration.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Facilitates logistics for program and alumni events, alumni workshops, and participant orientations;
• Facilitates and designs content for alumni events and alumni workshops;
• Manages alumni travel for NSLI-Y workshops and orientations; provides support for participant travel or other program events;
• Manages billing and vendor procurement for program events and orientations;
• Contributes to department’s outreach and student recruitment efforts for NSLI-Y and Virtual NSLI-Y;
• Mentors and monitors NSLI-Y Alumni Representatives for their event planning and requirements;
• Mentors NSLI-Y alumni in program outreach, special projects/events, other activities;
• Prepares program and alumni reports and highlights;
• Collaborates on program monitoring and evaluation efforts, especially related to the impact of NSLI-Y;
• Contributes to the promotion of NSLI-Y and Virtual NSLI-Y;
• Handles inquiries about the NSLI-Y programs from the alumni, general public, prospective applicants, and their families;
• Contributes to student recruitment and outreach, program publicity, application processing, participant selection and placement activities;
• Coordinates and tracks of language testing results and billing;
• Assists in operation of program databases; and
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the target languages, international affairs, international education, education, or related field;
• Three years of professional experience in event planning, study abroad, student or alumni services, education, non-profit or government service;
• Excellent public speaking and interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrated experience in event planning and facilitation;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Ability to handle high volumes of communication effectively and professionally;
• Ability to work independently, as well as part of a team;
• Ability to exercise problem-solving skills and discretion in handling sensitive information;
• Ability to approach challenges with creativity and a positive attitude;
• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous assignments and set appropriate priorities;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite including Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams;
• Proficiency in Zoom as an attendee and host;
• Experience and interest in international education, virtual exchange, language study, or study abroad;
• Master’s degree preferred;
• Experience engaging and motivating students through teaching, advising, mentoring, or coaching strongly preferred; and
• Experience with alumni programming preferred.

Note: The facilitation of workshops and events will occasionally be required outside of regular business hours. Participant or alumni support may be occasionally necessary outside of regular business hours.

WORK CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Essential functions are performed in a general office setting or remote work environment with low noise. Job demands may require long periods of sitting, telephone work and/or computer work, as well as interactions with other team members and external stakeholders and lifting up to 15 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

BENEFITS

This position is eligible for healthcare benefits.

American Councils is committed to providing employment opportunities for all individuals, in accordance with current federal regulations. Our focus is on ensuring that all individuals have equal access to employment and advancement opportunities based on merit. American Councils’ commitment to employment opportunity is driven by federal requirements, including Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (supporting individuals with disabilities) and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA) (protecting covered veterans). We also ensure our employment practices comply with all applicable regulations, including E-Verify requirements for work eligibility. We are dedicated to fostering a workplace where all individuals have the opportunity to succeed and grow, in full compliance with federal law.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.