Who We Are:
At CEA CAPA, we believe that studying and interning abroad is a transformative experience that goes beyond academics. By immersing oneself in a new culture and community, students gain valuable skills and perspectives that can shape their future. That's why we're committed to providing unparalleled academic, professional, and cultural experiences abroad, with a focus on student support every step of the way.
A sense of belonging is fundamental to the mission, structure, and operations of CEA CAPA. We strive to provide a work environment that celebrates difference and is free of implicit and explicit bias. We seek to hire employees representing diversity in all forms and work to support all employees to achieve at the highest level. Employment is based on a person’s professional qualifications and competence.
Your Role:
This Student Life Advisor contributes to all aspects of programming including the preparation and execution of student arrivals, orientation, excursions, activities, volunteering, internships and coordinating student and faculty housing.
What You’ll Do:
Student Housing

• Planning

• Research and evaluate housing options to augment CEA CAPA housing inventory.
• Establish housing needs according to contracted program inclusions, budgets and student and faculty profiles.
• Monitor student enrollment numbers for upcoming sessions to anticipate future housing needs.
• Assist in establishing plans and manage housing turnover.
• Track housing equipment inventory (kitchen, bed kits, housing supplies, etc.) and request/order supplies as needed.

• Tasks and Facilitation

• Assist in negotiating housing contracts (short and long term) with vendors.
• Inspect housing and take actions to ensure housing meets CEA CAPA standards (furnishings, cleanliness, amenities, safety).
• Make appropriate and quality housing placements.
• Implement and enforce CEA CAPA housing policies.
• Resolve housing issues and maintenance requests.
• Manage Incidental Billing Report. Report any housing damage promptly so that students can be billed accordingly.
• Run errands related to program logistics, such as picking up orientation packet materials and housing supplies, or for general office needs.

Student Affairs Department

• Planning

• Coordinate student arrivals, airport pickup, communication with students and housing orientation.
• Assist when needed in sourcing, organizing and facilitating bookings for orientation, co-curricular activities and excursions for standard and custom programs.
• Establish opportunities for students to engage with local culture and language.

• Tasks and Facilitation

• Develop and participate in activities and excursions as assigned.
• Conduct portions of student orientation as assigned.
• Participate in weekly newsletter for students.
• Update information databases related to student data.
• Participate in management of program postings and bulletin boards, keeping info fresh and relevant.
• Prepare and deliver arrival packs for students and faculty and participate in welcoming visiting faculty.
• Participate in preparing classrooms and the study spaces for each session.
• Be responsible for general office duties as assigned.

Student Development and Well-Being

• Provide day to day advising and attention to students’ information and support needs (doctor appointments, general questions, required information).

• Participate, encourage and assist students in areas of cultural adaptation, linguistic acquisition, and fulfillment of objectives during their program.
• Provide advising to students concerning un-escalated challenges related to adapting, learning Spanish, and managing relationships.
• Bring escalated cases to the Program Director for oversight and support Director as needed.
• Participate in the CEA emergency cell phone rotation.

What Makes a Great Candidate:
PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS – Vital Factors:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Achieving student satisfaction.
• Task management.
• Program facilitation.
• Proactive, flexible and able to work under pressure.
• Team player and responsive.
• Organization skills.
• Knowledge of the city and its cultural/leisure offers.
• Networking skills.
• Empathy and inclusive mindset.
• Enthusiastic about studying abroad and international education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Spanish.
• University Degree (equivalent to Bachelor’s), Master’s preferred.
• Must be authorized to work in Costa Rica.
• Previous experience working in customer service.
• Previous experience interacting with U.S. college students.
• Previous study abroad experience.
• Solid computer abilities (Microsoft Office and Internet proficiency).
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills.

We believe great talent comes in many forms and that there is no one size fits all in hiring. If you feel you may be a great fit for this role but do not check all of the boxes, we encourage you to apply and show us why you're the right candidate for this position.
Our commitment to creating a sense of belonging means we welcome individuals of all abilities, ages, citizenships, educations, ethnicities, family statuses, gender identities, genders, genetic information, languages, marital status, military experiences, political views, pregnancy, races, religions, sexes, sexual orientations, socioeconomic statuses, and work experiences and therefore we encourage applicants from diverse lived experiences to apply.