International Student and Scholar Advisor, Intermediate #605483

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.

The International Student & Scholar Advisor (or Advisor Intermediate) will work directly with students, faculty, and staff to create and ensure a successful and positive experience for international students and may provide additional support for NAU sponsored students who come to the University through various programs administered by the US Department of State, such as IREX, and the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission among others. International Student and Scholar Services (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.

Advising / Compliance

• Serve as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer to support both F-1 and J-1 students and scholars.
• Independently advise F-1 and J-1 students and scholars to support their compliance with F-1 and J-1 regulations.
• Independently advise students and scholars on academic support resources, university resources, adjustment issues, personal and family concerns, and in emergency situations.
• Interpret F-1 and J-1 regulations and develop institutional policies and procedures together with the ISSS team.
• Support 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.
• Respond in the event of an emergency which might be outside of regularly assigned work shift.
• Provide regular communications regarding regulatory updates with the student and scholar community to support their understanding of how to comply with government regulations.
• Develop, participate in, and evaluate educational presentations, workshops, programs, and activities related to immigration regulations, cultural adjustment, and intercultural competency.
• Interpret F-1 and J-1 regulations and develop institutional policies and procedures with the ISSS team.
• Take a lead role in crisis management cases in absence of, or as requested by, the Director or Assistant Director.

Knowledge / Liaison

• Stay up to date on knowledge of federal immigration regulations to 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).
• Maintain working relationships with State Dept and partner institution representatives on immigration requirement and legislative updates and their impacts; 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.
• Act as a back-up for ISSS functions as needed.
• Lead and support programming experiences for students and scholars, including orientation, cultural excursions, new student cultural transition support etc.
• In collaboration with other campus partners, research and develop relationships with additional sponsored student agencies that NAU may be able to host in the future.
• Engage with the university and local Flagstaff community to promote the role of ISSS and the needs of international students and scholars.
• Perform regular outcome-based program assessment to ensure efforts are meeting the needs of students and their sponsors.
• Initiate and participate in site visits to sponsoring agencies and develop on-campus visits for sponsoring delegations with the goal of strengthening relationships and understanding.
• Train ISSS team and university partners on the specific needs of sponsored students.

Sponsored Student Responsibilities

• Advise sponsored international students specifically to meet their needs as a sponsored student and provide access to specialized resources.
• Review academic progress of students, communicate academic progress with sponsors and develops programs and services to enchance student success.
• Provide and organize sponsored student programming.
• Together with ISSS leadership, serve as program and administrative liaison with sponsoring agencies.
• Manage data and required documentation that must be provided to sponsors for all sponsored agencies.
• Process insurance waivers for international students according to university policy each fall and spring semester.
• Communicate the needs of sponsored students to the ISSS team and university partners.
• Act as liaison with various NAU departments including Bursar's office, academic departments, Program in Intensive English, and Registrar.

Other

• Other duties as assigned by the Director or Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field AND 2-4 years related experience; OR
• Any equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education.
• 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.
• Regional experience and/or experience working directly with sponsored students as well as an understanding of needs specific to sponsored students studying in the United States.
• Two or more years’ experience as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
• Two or more years’ experience with understanding, interpreting, and applying federal immigration laws and regulations.
• 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.