Cultural Exchange Associate

Join ACES

ACES is a nonprofit international educational and cultural exchange organization. Our Portland team organizes short-term programs that connect international participants with local host families and educational experiences.

We are looking for a personable, resourceful, and highly organized Cultural Exchange Associate who enjoys connecting with people, coordinating details, and taking initiative. This is a hands-on role in a small, collaborative office, with opportunities to help ACES grow.

What You’ll Do:

• Find and recruit host families through community outreach, referrals, events, and follow-up with prospective hosts.
• Guide host families through applications; conduct home visits and orientations; assist with screening, matching, and placement documentation.
• Keep host family records and availability information current, and reconnect with past hosts about future opportunities.
• Help coordinate participant arrivals, departures, activities, transportation, and other program logistics.
• Provide routine support to participants and host families, and bring significant concerns to the Program Manager.
• Prepare recruitment materials and social media content; participate in occasional program activities and the staff emergency phone rotation.
• Help strengthen our host family network and increase placement capacity through organized, year-round recruitment efforts.
• As you gain experience, assist with projects supporting our English Plus Program and other new short-term programs.

An Opportunity to Grow:

In your first six to twelve months, an important focus will be expanding our host family placement capacity—both by welcoming new families and encouraging returning families to host again. Over time, you will have opportunities to take on more program and project development assignments. The balance of work changes with our program seasons: busy periods are fast-paced and hands-on; quieter periods offer time for outreach, planning, and defined projects.

What We’re Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree and strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent organization, attention to detail, judgment, and reliable follow-through.
• Confidence making outreach calls, meeting families, and interacting with people from different cultures.
• Initiative and the ability to move assigned projects forward with limited day-to-day direction.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, spreadsheets, and social media; ability to learn program databases. Canva experience is a plus.
• Familiarity with the Portland area; valid driver’s license, satisfactory driving record, and access to a reliable insured vehicle.
• Flexibility for occasional early mornings, evenings, weekends, and overtime during active program periods.

Experience in cultural exchange, international education, hospitality, community outreach, or homestay programs is a plus.

Compensation & Benefits:

Hourly pay: $21.00–$22.25, depending on qualifications and experience.

Benefits: ACES offers medical insurance assistance, a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, a TriMet pass, paid holidays, sick leave, and paid time off, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and ACES policies. Certain benefits begin after successful completion of the initial 90-day introductory period; legally required benefits and any retirement-plan eligibility rules apply independently.

How to Apply:

Email your resume and cover letter to EmilyH@exploretheworld.org

with “Cultural Exchange Associate” in the subject line. Tell us why cultural

exchange interests you and how you approach working independently as part of a

small team.

ACES is an equal opportunity employer.

Benefits: ACES offers medical insurance assistance ($4200/year), a SIMPLE IRA retirement plan, a TriMet pass, paid holidays, sick leave, and paid time off, subject to applicable eligibility requirements and ACES policies. Certain benefits begin after successful completion of the initial 90-day introductory period; legally required benefits and any retirement-plan eligibility rules apply independently.