This specialist position in Global Health, Safety and Security is a position in the University of Tennessee Knoxville’s (UTK) Center for Global Engagement (CGE). It reports to the Assistant Director of CGE’s Global Security, Risk and Resilience unit. The position, reporting to the Assistant Director and collaborating with other CGE leadership, helps manage UTK's resources, policies, and practices related to global risk and emergency management, including for study abroad and research security. This position will serve as a resource for students, faculty, staff, parents, administrators, and other stakeholders who are traveling with UTK support in order to promote health, safety, security, and wellness abroad. This position will also join CG E's 24/7 on-call team, and will assist in and/or lead responses to emergencies or other incidents abroad.

Required Qualifications

Education: A Bachelor’s degree.

Experience: 3-5 years of experience in relevant field such as study abroad, student program management, emergency coordination, law enforcement, law, international travel and security, research security, campus crisis management, and/or risk management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong understanding of global health and safety concerns, risk assessment and mitigation practices, and emergency response coordination.
• Strong independent judgement, planning and decision-making skills. Knowing when to escalate communication and concerns.
• Ability to stay calm under pressure and exercise diplomacy during crisis situations.
• Ability to communicate clearly, effectively and tactfully with individuals at all levels.
• Strong written, organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability and discipline to handle confidential and personal information with discretion.
• Strong technology and presentation skills.
• Able to respond to emergency situations outside of regular business hours, when necessary.
• Ability to manage multiple projects/priorities at one time.

Other Conditions of Employment: Must be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident to be cleared as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasionally on weekends evenings, and or overnights while traveling.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: A Master’s degree.

Experience: Six or more years of related experience in a relevant field such as study abroad, student program management, emergency coordination, law enforcement, law international travel and security, campus crisis management, and/or risk management.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

Experience in/understanding of study abroad operations, higher education, and research security.

Experience living, working, or studying abroad.

Experience designing and facilitating trainings, workshops and orientation sessions.

Experience developing emergency plans and coordinating crisis and incident response efforts, specifically in a university setting.

Experience developing revising policies and procedures in a university setting.

Experience using Terra Dota software.

Work Location

Location: Knoxville, TN
Onsite, Hybrid, or Remote: Hybrid

Compensation and Benefits

UT market range: 11

• Anticipated hiring range: $65,000 - $75,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before January 16, 2026.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) leads, coordinates, and supports the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s global education, research, and engagement strategies, operating under the Office of the Provost. CGE’s work spans international partnership development, support services for international students and scholars, the facilitation of study abroad and global learning opportunities, and the creation of intercultural programming that fosters cross-cultural awareness and global citizenship on campus and in the broader community. The division is organized into six units—the English Language Institute, Global Research, Innovation, and Partnerships, Global Security, Risk, and Resilience, the International House, International Student and Scholar Services, and the Programs Abroad Office. With a staff of more than 40 professionals, CGE serves approximately 1,200 international students from over 100 countries, 500 international scholars, and more than 2,000 UT students studying abroad each year, ensuring that UT remains connected and engaged globally.

Risk Monitoring, Analysis, and Assessment -

• Monitors world events, alerts/advisories issues, legal decisions, and best practices affecting global health, safety, and security across higher education/research and communicates effectively with University of Tennessee travelers regarding impacts these events may have on global travel.
• Monitors current information on programs, students, faculty and staff traveling abroad with UTK support. Helps prepare these travelers for general travel and/or destination-specific risks they might face abroad, including conducting in-depth risk reviews of new or existing programs.
• Coordinates with University of Tennessee travel partners to maintain proactive situational awareness of areas and incidents that may affect University travelers.
• Coordinates with the Center for Global Engagement, the Office of Research, Innovation and Economic Development, and other units as needed on threats to the University involving issues abroad or domestic issues related to international concerns.
• Serves on and provides support for UTK's International Risk Management Committee and/or other risk/travel advisory groups.

Emergency Response and Support -

• Serves as a member of CGE's 24/7 on-call team, providing support for and occasionally leading efforts in managing emergencies or other incidents impacting UTK travelers abroad.
• Communicates through an established response team and protocols about active or unfolding crises and incidents, including CGE, UTK leadership, and outside stakeholders.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Director of Global Health, Safety, and Security, participates in after-action reviews following major crises to help refine processes and procedures.
• Assists in developing new response policies and protocols based on changes in the field and/or new threats abroad.

Policy, Development, Review, and Implementation –

• Works with Assistant Director to develop and interpret university- wide policies, procedures and practices relating to international travel, focusing on risk management, university liability, emergency preparedness, crisis management and research security.
• Cultivates relationships with key campus partners who have students, faculty and staff who travel abroad for the purposes of developing and strengthening policy compliance/execution with UTK’s international travel policies.
• Assists with compliance in regulatory processes.

Outreach and Training -

• Coordinates and helps develop with other university partners, travel health, safety and security trainings, briefings, and orientations for university students, faculty, staff and other stakeholders. This position will have a specific focus on student program risk reviews, training, and development.
• Develops, in collaboration with other stakeholders, educational/training materials and/or other resources for students, faculty and staff traveling abroad, including online resources.
• Participates as an active member of PULSE: Higher Education International Health and Safety Professionals and other professional networks.

Planning and Project Management/Other Duties –

• Develops new and works in existing systems, including the university’s travel registry, to accurately monitor locations where UTK has interests, such as students, faculty, staff, and facilities. Maintains/opens new programs within the travel registry and associated systems.
• Work directly with faculty/staff who are engaging with education abroad program development, global workshop/activity implementation, or other program development enhancing UT global engagement.
• Develops and maintains outreach and marketing efforts to UTK campus partners and other affiliates who are not currently engaged in international travel safety and security and/or complying with university international travel policies.
• Assists Assistant Director in assessing current policies, practices and procedures on a regular basis, and helps implement changes in these areas as needed. Manages travel review and approval processes as needed.
• Works on projects related to international insurance, including assisting in international insurance charges and claims, and international assistance provider coverage. Helps to maintain relationships with these entities.
• Managing project as assigned.