Advisor II, International Students, Designated School Official

Commitment to Mission

This job carries with it the obligation to uphold the Mission of Lone Star College (LSC) in carrying out the duties of the position. A commitment to positive interpersonal behaviors, professional communication, diversity, integrity, leadership, stewardship, respect and accountability to LSC students and employees is essential.

Cultural Beliefs

• One LSC
• Student Focused
• Own It
• Advance Equity
• Cultivate Community
• Choose Learning

The Chronicle of Higher Education’s “Great Colleges to Work For” is designed to recognize colleges that have been successful in creating great workplaces and to further research and understanding of the factors, dynamics and influences that have the most impact on organizational culture at higher education institutions.

Lone Star College was recognized in five areas: Confidence in Senior Leadership; Diversity; Facilities, Workspace & Security; Job Satisfaction; and Work/Life Balance .

Campus Marketing Statement

Lone Star College-North Harris

Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 93,000+ students each semester. LSC has been named a 2021 Great Colleges to Work For® institution by the Chronicle of Higher Education and ranked 35th in Texas in the Forbes ‘America’s Best Employers By State’ list.

LSC consists of eight colleges, seven centers, eight Workforce Centers of Excellence and Lone Star Corporate College.

Lone Star College-North Harris, nestled on 200 acres of piney woods, is the original and largest college in the Lone Star College System family. Serving the community for more than three decades, LSC-North Harris offers more than 60 programs of study, including university-transfer and numerous education courses and programs. LSC-North Harris is keenly focused on leading-edge technology in emerging technical job fields.

Location address is 2700 W.W. Thorne Drive, Houston, TX 77073.

Job Description



PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

The advisor will work collaboratively with all members of the college and the community to support international students through inquiry enrollment and student engagement to completion and transfer. The international advisor will also serve as the D esignated School Official for the college, maintain and comply with SEVIS regulations. The advisor performs a wide-range of duties to meet the needs of international students on maintaining lawful status, granting immigration benefits, resolving status violations and advising prospective and current students about the student visa process.

SEVP/SEVIS REPORTING ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Serve as an authorized Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 visa program (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) database

Provide SEVIS and functional support for international students including but not limited to SEVIS record maintenance, internal audits, and federally-mandated registration and reporting each term at LSC campuses as needed

Review and determine eligibility of prospective students and grant documents necessary to maintain F-1 status

Advise international students and their dependents on maintaining lawful status through continuous education on regulations, policies and procedures

Develop instructions/handbook for students to apply for federal benefits- change of status, reinstatements, CPT, OPT, etc.

Process F-1 applications

Responsible for student compliance with the LSC F-1 Student Health Insurance Requirement

Handle critical aspects of the cross-college operation, and various SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) processes to ensure that the international student services are appropriately supported

Monitor academic and graduation progress of international students

Manage confidential paper and electronic files in accordance with university, FERPA, USCIS, DHS and DOS regulations

Responsible for on-going data maintenance and integrity in SEVIS, PeopleSoft and I-STAR

Provide systemic support for a year-round office that works with students, faculty, staff, and dependents in Lone Star College including back up support for fellow DSO's as needed

Responsible for other related duties as assigned

STUDENT ADVISING ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Serve as primary mentor for international students

Collaborate with academic departments and international faculty advisors to ensure international student acclimation to campus and the community

Assist with International Programs procedures related to international faculty, visiting scholars and staff

Serve as an advocate for international students creating multicultural awareness on campus

Plan, organize and implement a wide variety of student events including but not limited to cultural and diversity programming

Overseeing international student emissaries in collaboration with faculty advisors

Act as official liaison between International Programs and its respective constituencies to provide important information regarding student status, academic and campus engagement

Work collaboratively with other departments such as student activity, ESOL and programs to help achieve our collective student experiences

Plans required orientation for new F-1 students each semester

May be required to advise international students on academic and graduation plans as well as Honors advising as part of a collaborative office

Engage international students to every college opportunities such as student government, Honors college, student clubs and community volunteerism

Responsible for other related duties as assigned

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of F-1 visa regulations and SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and apply immigration regulations, including the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Detail-oriented work style with focus on accuracy, ability to research and analyze information, including government documents and regulations
• Knowledge of computer programs utilized in the generation of reports and other documents
• Ability to solve problems
• Ability to multitask, work on several projects with multiple students at the same time
• Superior communication skills to effectively and professional communicate using tact and diplomacy with internal and external campus community including international visitors
• Must possess excellent customer service and public relations skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees and external agencies

PHYSICAL ABILITIES :

The work is sedentary. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work. However, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying of light items, such as papers, books, or small parts; or driving an automobile. No special physical demands are required to perform the work.

WORK SCHEDULE AND CONDITIONS:

• Equipment used includes, PC workstation running on a LAN in a Microsoft Windows environment, calculator, phone and other general office equipment
• Interface with internal and external contacts as needed to carry out the functions of the position
• Work is performed in a climate-controlled office with minimal exposure to safety hazards

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's Degree and at least 3 years of related work experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residence is required for certification as a DSO and/or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) by the federal government
• Transportation between LSC campuses and centers required

Salary

Hiring salary range is $44,793-$51,512

Lone Star College provides a hiring salary range for all posted full-time non-faculty positions. Where your salary offer would fall in that range is determined by your related experience and education. Should you receive an offer of employment from Lone Star College, the resume submitted in the application process will be utilized to calculate your salary offer. The information outlined below will provide the Office of Human Resources everything needed to determine an accurate starting salary.

Your resume should provide a complete picture of your work experience. The resume should include the following information for each position listed:

1. Length of time (specific months and years) of employment
2. If the position was full time or part time
3. If the position was paid or unpaid
4. Unofficial transcript for highest earned degree

Additionally, any certifications listed as required or preferred in the Lone Star College job description should be included in the resume submitted.

Benefits Marketing Statement

By joining our top-notch institution, you will enjoy being a part of an organization that offers a supportive, collegial work environment and excellent work/life balance. This includes a full comprehensive and competitive benefits package, a generous number of paid holidays and vacation days, wellness programs, tuition waiver, professional development opportunities and more.

Special Instructions

Go to the Job Search page, click on ‘My Activities’ at the top of the page. Under My Cover Letters and Attachments you will click on ‘Add Attachment.’ Please be sure to put the Job ID# in the title once you name your file for cover letters only, unless you attached your cover letter with your resume.

If you are applying for an Instructional position (i.e. Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Instructor), please ensure you include the following to be considered: Resume/CV, Cover Letter, Teaching Philosophy, and unofficial transcripts.

You must limit your file name for any attachment to 40 characters or less.

How to Apply

ALL APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE ONLY

We will not accept application material received via fax, email, mail, or hand delivered.

Postings for part-time and adjunct positions are active for the academic year. By selecting the option to receive notifications on your profile, you will begin receiving electronic communication regarding new opportunities with Lone Star College (LSC).

If selected for an interview, a recruiter will contact you by phone, or email to schedule an interview.

Lone Star College participates in the E-Verify program, under which Lone Star College provides the federal government with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm that the employee is authorized to work in the United States.

More information on the E-Verify program is available at www.dhs.gov/E-Verify .

Lone Star College is an EEO Employer. All positions are subject to a criminal background check.