Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services #605482

Job Description

Come join our team of more than 70 full-time, part-time, and student staff representing five continents and 16 native languages! Be part of Northern Arizona University’s vision of educating students to adapt and respond to global issues.

CIE, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) seeks an Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services to join our team. The ISSS team includes a Director, one SEVIS Coordinator, two International Student and Scholar Advisors, two Graduate Assistants and student employees. The role of the Assistant Director is to foster a positive and inclusive working culture and provide positive leadership and expertise to ensure a high-level of support for international students, scholars, employees as well as other stakeholders while maintaining university compliance with laws and regulations governing this population. ISSS works with students on immigration questions prior to, and upon their arrival at NAU during Orientation and acts as their guide throughout their time on NAU's beautiful Flagstaff Mountain campus, helping them navigate immigration regulations, academic adjustments, and cultural integration. ISSS also works with university departments to bring J-1 research scholars and international employees to campus, enhancing the research environment on campus and supporting their experience while in Flagstaff.

NAU is ranked in IIE’s Open Doors within the top 200 US institutions for international student enrollment and proud to host approximately 1400 international students from more than 80 countries. We are pleased to serve such a diverse student population. To receive full consideration, please 1) complete the standard online NAU application 2) submit a cover letter and resume and 3) a 300-500 word diversity statement on how you have contributed to a respectful and inclusive environment in your previous positions.

Job Description

General Administration, Management & Leadership

• Manage two International Student and Scholar Advisors and one Graduate Assistant, providing positive and strategic oversight, management and supervision
• Support management of daily operations of ISSS unit
• Serve on the ISSS leadership team to advance office goals and initiatives
• Propose, develop and refine policy and procedure to maintain compliance and timely reporting of information to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State and efficient business processes to deliver timely services to the ISSS population
• Participate in the development, maintenance, and growth of staff expertise in the laws and regulations governing international students, scholars and employees to ensure ongoing compliance
• Develop various materials to improve advising and communications with students and scholars on academic support resources, university resources, adjustment issues, personal and family concerns, and in emergency situations
• Respond adequately in the event of an emergency which might be outside of regularly assigned work shift and take a lead role in crisis management cases in absence of/or as requested by the Director

Advising & Compliance

• Serve as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer leading both F-1 and J-1 students and scholars advising services, in addition to advising F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to support their compliance with F-1 and J-1 regulations
• Lead reporting within regulatory deadlines to ensure university SEVIS compliance for new and continuing students and scholars through the use of Sunapsis, Peoplesoft, Salesforce and other technology platforms
• Maintain data integrity in Sunapsis and Peoplesoft to support university regulatory compliance
• Facilitate regular communications regarding regulatory updates with the student and scholar community to support their understanding of how to comply with government regulations
• Lead, participate in, and assess the value of educational presentations, surveys, workshops, programs, and activities related to new student orientation, immigration regulations, cultural adjustment, and intercultural competency

Knowledge / Liaison

• Act as lead liaison with sponsored student organizations such as Kuwait Cultural Office, Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, Fulbright, IREX, AMIDEAST etc.
• Liaise with various government agencies, including but not limited to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (including SEVP and USCIS), U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Department of Labor
• Ensure collaboration with key university stakeholders, engaging with the University community and offices to promote the role of ISSS and the needs of international students and scholars
• Stay up to date on knowledge of federal immigration regulations to lead policy and advise international students and scholars in F-1 and J-1 status on immigration regulations as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
• Act as a back-up in the absence of the Director, including facilitating the processing of employment based applications, attending meetings and other functions as needed

Other

• Develop initiatives to support international student retention, working collaboratively with International Student Retention and Inclusion
• Other duties as assigned by the Director, International Student and Scholar Services
• Serve on university committees as assigned by the Director, International Student and Scholar Services

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field AND five years related experience.

A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Requirements.

• Three years’ experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer
• US citizenship or lawful permanent residence status (necessary to qualify as a DSO and ARO)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in appropriate field
• Four or more years’ experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)
• Four or more years’ experience with understanding, interpreting, and applying federal immigration laws and regulations
• Supervisory experience
• Significant knowledge of US immigration regulations affecting non-immigrants in F-1 and J-1 student and scholar statuses
• Knowledge of US immigration regulations affecting other non-immigrants in TN, H-1B, O-1 status and non-immigrants seeking US permanent residency
• Excellent cross-cultural oral and written communication skills
• Experience with PeopleSoft and Sunapsis or other similar databases; strong computer and data management skills
• Experience communicating the needs of the international community with academic and campus support services
• Experience with issues specific to international student or scholar populations
• Fluency in at least one foreign language; experience living abroad

Please see nau.jobs for full job descriptions and details on how to apply online!  NAU is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.