Position Title:
Student Affairs Assistant (SAA)
 
About SFS:
The School for Field Studies (SFS) creates transformative study abroad experiences through field-based learning and research. Our educational programs explore the human and ecological dimensions of the complex environmental problems faced by our local partners, contributing to sustainable solutions in the places where we live and work.
 
Position Summary:
The SAA works closely with the Centre Director and Student Affairs Manager to provide support in all non-academic components of the program, including risk management, group dynamics, community engagement, and daily program operations.
 
Location:
Current openings for the SAA position are in the following SFS locations:

• Yungaburra, Australia

Contract Length:
July 1, 2020 to December 9, 2020. The SAA will also be required to attend the Student Affairs Manager training at SFS HQ in Beverly, MA  in mid-August 2020.  Start date may be delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Reports to:
Center Director.
Day-to-day supervision may be delegated to Student Affairs Manager, Faculty, or Site Manager as appropriate.
 
Duties & Responsibilities:
Under the oversight of the Center Director, the SAA, as an individual and as a member of the Center faculty/staff team, will assist in the following areas:
 
Student Affairs

• Assist in delivery of in-country orientation and ongoing training to students in the areas of community building, critical thinking, cross-cultural issues, conflict resolution, self-awareness, communal living, and health and safety
• Act as a resource to students on their program-related and personal needs
• Facilitate communication within the student group and between staff and students
• Preemptively monitor and address individual student and group attitudes and behavior
• Keep the Center Director informed of potential problems
• Participate in resolving group management issues and student discipline problems
• Facilitate establishment and support of student committees and organization of student tasks necessary to support residential aspects of the program (e.g. chores, food preparation, recycling efforts, center clean-ups, outreach projects)

Safety & Risk Management

• Assist in monitoring the safety of all program participants
• Adhere to, actively model, and enforce all school-wide and Center rules and polices
• Ensure that incident information and reports are provided to SFS headquarters
• Assist in the submission of a Risk Management Plan to SFS headquarters prior to field trips
• Participate in the review and revision of Center risk assessment and management plans
• Assist in coordination of the Center’s emergency plans, including for evacuation and fire safety
• Maintain all land-based medical kits and safety supplies

Community Outreach

• Work with Center faculty/staff to develop and implement community outreach activities
• Arrange recreational programming for students within the local community
• At all times, work to ensure good relations between the Center and local community
• Organize and facilitate guest speakers from the community

Program Support

• Coordinate and communicate scheduling of program to students as needed
• Participate in training activities for new Center staff prior to and during the program
• Provide periodic reports, marketing materials, and student input to SFS headquarters
• Participate in preparation of final reports and Center field preparation guide revisions
• In cooperation with other Center staff and as delegated by the Program Coordinator, provide day-to-day coordination of interns
• Participate in planning activities prior to program start and in review post-program
• As requested by the Program Coordinator, assist with other logistical, group management, and administrative tasks

Daily Center Life

• Live on-site for the duration of each program period and take meals with students
• On a rotating basis, take responsibility for Center-specific staff of the day duties
• Take part in, and occasionally lead, Center upkeep projects, social, and field activities
• Assist with administrative or logistical tasks such as running errands, driving personnel and students, record keeping, and routine maintenance of site and equipment as requested

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification or ability to obtain WFR certification by program start date
• Experience living, working, or studying abroad
• High emotional and cross-cultural intelligence
• Professional experience with group facilitation or leading experiential education programs
• Willingness to live and work on a residential campus, including use of shared facilities and participation in campus activities and community outreach
• Accustomed to working long hours in remote environments with limited resources
• Experience with incident and risk management
• Commitment to ensure good relations between the SFS and the local community
• Clean driving record and ability to operate manual transmission vehicles
• Ability to obtain proper work visas (with assistance from SFS) 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced medical certification (e.g. EMT or WEMT certification)
• Master’s degree
• Experience living, working, or studying in program region
• Familiarity with navigating medical resources in developing countries
• Background in wilderness, travel, or tropical medicine
• Residential affairs experience in higher education

 
Compensation/Benefits:
Salary, travel, and health insurance reimbursement. On-site room and board provided.