Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

International Student Life Coordinator

Class: Academic Professional | Exempt status: Exempt | Level: 4

Working under the direction of management, the International Student Life Coordinator plans a year-round calendar of activities and special events for PCC international students. The Coordinator is responsible for international student orientation planning, including communication, overseeing logistical details, and creating and monitoring budgets. Responsible for the international student leadership programs, including hiring, training, communication, and development. Facilitates and encourages student engagement and involvement within the PCC community and supports recruitment and retention initiatives. Interacts with other College departments and external community resources to meet the needs of the international student population.

Principal Accountabilities

1. Assists with providing oversight of the international student leadership programs. Designs and implements leadership development programs. Trains students on program planning and mentors them through the year.
2. Plans and implements International Student Orientation Week for all new F-1 international students quarterly. Oversees and directs logistics of planning, implementation, and follow-up, including communication (web content, updates, email communications, etc.), collaboration (with different departments, divisions, and community resources), tracking registration, event set-up and breakdown.
3. Develops programs and initiatives that support and promote internationalization, retention, and encourages international students to engage with the College and community. Creates and implements retention programs that support international student success, including providing mentoring, student involvement programs, seminars, and activities.
4. Serves as consultant and liaison to campus partners to understand, support, advocate for, and bolster access, opportunities, and resources for international students.
5. Assists with developing the budget and monitors the budget allocation and spending for year-round programming, events, and activities, which may include orientation, community-based learning, and other activities to promote belonging and engagement for international students. Collaborates with PCC divisions in planning and promoting student activities for PCC students.
6. Coordinates district-wide annual International Education Week with other PCC departments. Develops promotional materials and advertising for events, and provides event oversight.
7. Mentors and coaches student leaders and other students to support, design, and implement programs, special events, and services that facilitate and enhance international student success and development. Advises students on program planning methods and processes, and assists students with problem solving on a variety of complex issues during various event phases. Empowers student employees to support programs, tutoring, and other activities that promote learning and student development.
8. Updates Office of International Student Services website with resources, engagement opportunities, and upcoming activities.
9. Develops training materials and contributes and makes recommendations to department policies and procedures for planning and programs in area of responsibility.
10. Attends conferences and trainings, researches best practices, policies and regulations, broader social issues, and current theory toward developing, improving, and implementing existing and new international programs.
11. Monitors and leads the work of casual staff, student employees, and volunteers. Hires and trains student and casual employees. Participates in performance evaluations and provides feedback to the supervisor, as appropriate. Performs coaching, disciplinary actions, and termination limited to student and casual staff. Monitors time and acknowledges timesheets for student and casual employees.
12. Gathers resources about living and being a successful student while at PCC (such as information regarding orientation topics, important term dates, housing, upcoming activities, income taxes, finding a job, health insurance, counseling and mental health.) Provides support for students accessing these resources.
13. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

Work is performed in various settings, both on- and off-campus. The position requires flexible work hours including evenings, weekends and some holidays. Frequent travel between campuses. Work also involves extensive use of computers requiring long periods of time sitting and viewing a monitor. Position requires lifting of office supplies, training materials such as projectors/screens, computer equipment; use of a ladder periodically for advertising events. Frequent walking, lifting, bending and pulling of equipment is required in the process of setting up and taking down equipment used for special events.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a Social Science discipline, Liberal Arts, Education or related area is required. Experience performing the duties of the job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Demonstrated experience in conducting international student program activities, program planning and development, and needs assessment for international student population in a community college environment. Experience facilitating and problem solving in a group environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Event management best practices;
• Student development and student life;
• Diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice concepts and ability to train international student leaders in this area;
• Group dynamics, problem solving, and student development theory;
• Orientation needs for F-1 international students new to PCC;
• Best practices in international student success and retention strategies;
• Applicable federal regulations for F-1 international students, as well as college policies and procedures;
• Internal and external resources available for international students;
• Current management and supervisory techniques;
• Budget spending guidelines.

Skills in:

• Organization and attention to detail;
• Developing programs, events, and activities;
• Social media for professional purposes of outreach, student engagement, retention, and alumni connections;
• Preparing and administering budgets;
• Developing and delivering training presentations to a diverse international student population;
• Excellent interpersonal communications and awareness of cross-cultural communication;
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and diplomacy while working with others from diverse academic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds;
• Collaborate with colleagues across multiple departments, team members, student employees, and volunteers;
• Be flexible, prioritize multiple projects, be self-directed and work independently;
• Train international student leaders on diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice concepts;
• Diffuse an emotional or tense situation and offer viable solutions;
• Proactively identify and address program and activity risks and opportunities;
• Manage and supervise events;
• Be a creative thinker as well as a practical implementer;
• Maintain and display enthusiasm for student events;
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including computers, Google drive and other software and social media platforms.

New: 11/2022

Replaces: International Education Program Specialist

Portland Community College is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or any other protected class.