Student Support Specialist

EF High School Exchange Year is seeking positive, energetic, and responsible individuals to work with international high school exchange students at its Welcome Days program held on the EF Academy campus in Thornwood, NY. EF Welcome Days provides participants with a memorable New York City experience, valuable communication skills, and strong bonds with other exchange students before students embark on their high school exchange year.

The ideal candidate:

• Has the desire to work with teenagers
• Has an exceptional ability to assess interpersonal dynamics
• Has a high emotional intelligence and empathy
• Has experience working with a culturally diverse population
• Is highly organized and has experience working with a large-scale student program
• Enjoys problem solving, is solutions-oriented and remains calm in fluid situations
• Is able to work with many stakeholders, while putting the needs of the program first
• Is solutions-oriented in managing a time-sensitive workload
• Is enthusiastic, patient, creative, flexible and has a great sense of humor
• Is an exceptional team-player and enjoys working with dynamic colleagues

Main responsibilities for the Student Support Specialist include assisting with supervision of students during their stay on campus and providing direct support to students as needed on topics such as homesickness, language concerns, and wellbeing, while simultaneously communicating with EF staff and partners to relay support updates.

Additional responsibilities include but are not limited to supporting the operations team as needed (driving to purchase supplies, helping with lost luggage, organizing materials and supplies), assisting with Welcome Desk, traveling to Manhattan, NY on field trips, transporting students to urgent care clinic or hospital, and participating in Emergency response procedures as assigned. Must have a valid driver’s license and feel comfortable driving in and around New York City.

EF Welcome Days is broken up into six (6) sessions and includes Senior Staff and all-staff trainings as detailed below.

Senior Staff arrivals: July 8

Senior Staff training: July 9-11

All-Staff Training: July 12 - July 16

Week 1: July 17 - July 20

Week 2: July 24 - July 27

Week 3: July 31 - August 3

Week 4: August 7 - August 10

Week 5: August 14 - August 17

Week 6: August 21 - August 24

Staff departures: August 25

The Student Support Specialist position is part of our Senior Staff, who are collectively responsible for the smooth operation of a fast-paced and ever-changing summer program. All Senior Staff candidates must be available for the full duration of our summer season.

The Student Support Specialist is estimated to work around 45- 55 hours per week at $17/hour, with any overtime hours being paid at time and a half. All summer staff are responsible for their transportation to and from the Welcome Days location and are provided room and board for the program's duration. All staff are required to complete two online training modules to familiarize themselves with the EF High School Exchange Year program and attend a training prior to students’ arrival.

At EF Education First, we believe that the world is better when people try to understand one another. Since 1965, EF has helped millions of people see new places, experience new cultures, and learn new things about the world and about themselves.