Cultural Exchange Associate - Greater Tacoma Area

ACES is a high energy, highly-collaborative non-profit international student exchange organization based in Bellevue, WA, with a growing office in Portland, OR. Our mission is to provide high-quality international educational and cultural exchange experiences to individuals from the U.S. and foreign countries in order to promote global understanding. ACES believes that only through interaction can the peoples of the world truly understand each other, establish friendships and promote world peace.

We are looking for a part-time Cultural Exchange Associate, to join the College Programs team, who is enthusiastic about cultural exchange, enjoys problem-solving, likes communicating, gets excited about data and details, and likes working with people from the US and around the world.

The Cultural Exchange Associate will work closely with the ACES partner, Pierce College (both Lakewood and Puyallup campuses). Success in this position requires flexibility, versatility, resilience, commitment to teamwork, initiative, dedication to meeting deadlines, detail oriented, and a desire to understand the perspectives and communication needs of our host families, students, international and local partners, and staff.

The Primary Responsibilities:

1. Act as primary point of contact for homestay families, students, and college staff for the homestay program.
2. Manage recruitment, selection, and orientation of host families including home visits.
3. Process host family applications including ensuring criminal background checks (CBC) are submitted.
4. Process students’ applications and match them with appropriate host families.
5. Communicate and coordinate placement details with host families and their students prior to students’ arrival.
6. Prepare and implement orientations and networking events for host families and their students to create safe and positive living environments and help students adjust to their new homes.
7. Complete student monitoring reports and incident reports in a timely manner.
8. Hold weekly in-person office hours at college campuses.
9. Respond to or manage student and/or host family emergencies.
10. Collaborate with the ACES team to update guidelines/handbooks for homestay students and families as needed.
11. Coordinate monetary issues between students and host families. Report to the ACES national office if the issue can’t be resolved.
12. Mediate conflicts between host families and students and intervene in situations involving concerns to health, safety or property of either party.
13. Advise and consult with college staff and the ACES national office on issues concerning the health and safety of students.
14. Collaborate with the ACES team to create digital and print materials to promote the program and deliver presentations and/or orientations.
15. Work with the ACES national office to advertise the program on social media and elsewhere.
16. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements:

1. International travel experience, preferably with experience in a homestay and/or as a host family
2. Bachelor’s degree
3. Basic knowledge of G-Suite and Microsoft Office
4. Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends
5. Detail oriented, and good communication and interpersonal skills
6. Familiarity with the Tacoma/Lakewood/Puyallup area
7. Valid driver's license, excellent driving record, and own or have access to a reliable and insured car prior to the start date of the job

ACES does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities.