Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) – Communications Specialist
If your resume is not yet approved on Handshake, INSTEAD of applying to this position on Handshake, email your document and the link to the job posting you wish to apply for to studentemployment@wesleyan.edu and an administrator will submit your complete application for you on the back end. All students will be considered for this opportunity, regardless of document status.
Company Division: Office of International Student Affairs – Division of Student Affairs
Position Summary
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA) provides immigration services, intercultural programs, and advocacy opportunities that facilitate the personal and professional growth of all self-identified international students from orientation up to three years beyond graduation. The OISA team is seeking a talented Communications Specialist who will support the office’s electronic messaging, including website development, social media management, and student storytelling initiatives. In addition to managing key communications, this role will require additional duties, including but not limited to the responsibilities listed below. This position is open to domestic and international students. In addition to the following skills and qualifications, you must have a passion for supporting Wesleyan’s international student community and the daily activities of OISA.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
Website Management:
· Implement updates and design and publish new content for the OISA website
· Benchmark other institutions’ International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) websites to identify best practices and implement improvements for OISA’s website
· Edit and update OISA website language to follow plain Language guidelines and enhance reader accessibility
· Create and implement a digital event calendar for the OISA website
Social Media Management:
· Post regular announcements related to immigration reminders, programs and events, and cultural observances and holidays on OISA’s Facebook page
· Elevate Facebook announcements to Wesleyan Student Association (WSA) for posting on their Instagram page
· Develop a 12-month calendar of cultural observances, holidays, immigration reminders, and campus and community programs and events to inform OISA communications planning
Student Storytelling Management:
· Lead storytelling projects (e.g., video series, blog, news feature, podcast, etc.) highlighting outstanding international students and their narratives as well as campus internationalization efforts
· Liaise with University Communications to share student features and elevate stories to the greater Wesleyan community
· Benchmark ISSS student storytelling at other institutions to collect data and identify best practices for improving and launching new initiatives for OISA
Newsletter Management:
· Create posts with photos/images on a biweekly basis for the Wes and the World newsletter
· Craft and distribute pre-arrival, informational newsletters for incoming international students
Additional Duties:
· Participate in the 2021-22 International Student Advisory Board (ISAB)
· Assist OISA staff with clerical tasks as needed (making copies, package delivery/pick-up/mailing, etc.)
· Carry out special projects as assigned
· Meet with the Director of OISA on a weekly basis to discuss projects and prioritize tasks
Desired Skills and Qualifications
- Experience and proficiency in website development (Cascade experience preferred)
- Experience and proficiency with social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram
- Experience and proficiency in creating and editing videos
- Experience and proficiency in developing and distributing newsletters via digital platforms
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Excellent interpersonal communication and time management skills
- Knowledge of plain language principles
- Superior attention to detail
- Ability to craft engaging, student-centered messaging
- Ability to collaborate well with others and be a team player
- Ability to work independently, proactively solve problems, and take initiative
- Strong self-awareness and willingness to learn and improve
- Proficiency in more than one language
- Experience living in another culture and intercultural competency
- Passion for supporting and advocating for the international student community and campus internationalization at Wesleyan
- Good academic standing
- Good judicial standing
Schedule and Availability
Approximately 10 hours per week while classes are in session (hours could increase or decrease depending on time of semester and OISA needs). Weekly schedule to be determined after hire. Employment term will be through December 31, 2021 with potential to continue in the role through at least the Spring 2022 Semester.
Job Classification: Level 1 ($13 per hour)
Primary Supervisor: Morgan Keller, Director of the Office of International Student Affairs
Performance Evaluation: Weekly check-in meetings with supervisor, performance feedback given on a regular basis, and end-of-semester formal evaluation and reflection.
Application Instructions: Please submit via Handshake:
- Copy of your resume
- Copy of your transcript
- List of 2-3 work-related references (name and contact information only, no reference letter needed)
- Cover letter written in plain language that clearly states why you are interested in this position and how your experience and skills are well matched to this role. Please follow this link for more details about plain language: https://www.plainlanguage.gov
- A work sample based on the primary duties and responsibilities of this position e.g., a website you created, a social media campaign you implemented, a video project you designed, a plain language writing sample, etc. (If you have trouble uploading your work sample in Handshake, you may email it to oisa@wesleyan.edu before the application deadline.)
How many students hiring: 1
Estimated salary: $13 per hour
Work location: Hybrid format with remote work as well as some in-person duties at OISA in the lower level of North College.