Associate Director, Immigration & Compliance (15573)

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Summary/Objective

The Associate Director for Immigration and Compliance ensures the ISSS policy and protocols are implemented consistently and in accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DoS) regulations. This position works with minimal supervision to monitor regulatory changes; prioritizes and communicates their impact on students and scholars and ensures timely DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) updates on mandatory immigration actions to keep the integrity of the student and scholar immigration records. The Associate Director oversees the office’s frontline services to ensure that students, scholars, and faculty are provided with clear and comprehensive information, training, advice, and assistance on current federal regulations in order to adhere to their legal responsibilities as mandated by the Federal laws. Considerable authority is delegated to this position for reviewing policy and protocols and recommending updates to the Director of ISSS, ensuring DHS SEVIS compliance. This position involves extensive consultation with DHS and the DoS, professional associations such as NAFSA: Association for International Educators, Institute of International Education (IIE), and colleagues in the field to keep abreast of changing immigration regulations that have an impact on the university and its efforts to comply with its legally mandated immigration responsibilities.

Provides supervision for 2 FT staff and four to five graduate interns and student staff.

Essential Functions

1. Regulatory Audits and SEVIS Compliance:Monitors and maintains immigration compliance with student and scholar records in SEVIS, collaborates with colleges, departments, academic units, and the SEVIS help desk to identify, document, and report to the Director irregularities in policies and procedures, and recommends updates to ensure both the university and its F1 and J1 non-immigrant populations comply. Explore creative solutions for potential student and scholar issues and ensure accurate records in Sunapsis and SEVIS systems. Attend Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) meetings, webinars, and conferences for information updates and assessment of future advising and policy updates for compliance.
2. Advising and Immigration Training:Responsible for designing and delivering immigration and practical training sessions and workshops for students, scholars, and academic units. In collaboration with the ISSS Director, trains ISSS staff on various F-1 and J-1-related regulatory updates, policies, and procedures. Collaborates with AU Central, Dean of Students, academic units, and other constituents for enrollment issues and academic decisions to facilitate SEVIS immigration reporting within the mandated DHS and DoS deadlines.
3. Front Line Services Management:Oversees the office frontline services to ensure that students, scholars, and faculty are provided with clear, consistent, and comprehensive information, training, advice, and assistance on current federal regulations in order to adhere to their legal responsibilities as mandated by the Federal laws.
4. People Management:Responsible for hiring, onboarding, training, and managing reporting positions on an ongoing basis. This includes practical training authorization policy and processes, SEVIS reporting policy and processes, and the related record management for students and scholars. Also includes providing regular feedback, coaching, mentoring and evaluating performance, and identifying and encouraging participation in professional development opportunities.
5. Other Projects as assigned by the ISSS Director.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervises two full-time advisors.

Work Environment

• Domestic travel for conferences only.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time, 35 hours/week.
• Project Leader/Advisor A.
• Exempt.
• May require some evening and weekend hours.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• 4-6 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree.
• 5-8 years of relevant experience.
• Preferred experience at an educational institution with F and J nonimmigrant categories.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Strong conceptual, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a diverse group of students, faculty, and staff.
• Cross-cultural competency and international living/learning experience.
• Experience in Ellucian Colleague and Sunapsis Systems.
• Excellent customer service, diplomatic and public relations skills.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills.
• Proven ability to work efficiently and independently in a fast-paced environment with attention to detail and accuracy.

Others

• U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status is required.
• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options .

Current American University Employees

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Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

Nearest Major Market: Washington DC