Director for Visa and Immigration Services

Bard College, a liberal arts college on the Hudson River, is a private institution working in the public interest.

Employer Website: https://apply.interfolio.com/127891
Bard College seeks a Director for Visa and Immigration Services to oversee and develop the Visa and Immigration Services activities and policies and to serve as a resource to the college’s international community regarding trends in international education, immigration and visa policies/practices/best practices, cultural differences, social norms, and customs. The Director will provide guidance and expert knowledge concerning visa sponsorship options, federal and state regulation compliance, and contribution to college policies on a varied range of complex immigration issues.

Working independently with limited supervision, the Director for Visa and Immigration Services oversees the college’s Office of International Students and Scholar Services (OISSS) and serves as the Primary Designated School Official and the Responsible Officer for the college, interfacing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and other governmental agencies.

Essential Duties

Immigration Compliance (Student, Faculty, Staff, and Scholars)

• Establish, review, and communicate policies, systems, and internal procedures for the area, including the management of all student- and employment-based immigration processing (e.g., F-1, CPT, OPT, J-1, H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.).
• Establish timelines for and supervise timely and accurate issuance and integrity of I-20 forms
• Assist preparation of student- and employment-based immigration as needed.
• Ensure visa processing time meets the department’s key performance indicators.
• Serve as the Responsible Officer (RO) for the university’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Responsible Officer for Bard College’s F-1 visa program.
• Provide training, support, and oversight of the Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) team.
• Maintain accountability for federal reporting by maintaining and updated student information in the U.S. government’s Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), oversight of the submission of the re-designation certification of the J-program biennially, Annual Recertification, Annual Report, and other government reports, including IIE’s Open Doors reporting.
• Protect the interests of Bard College and its international populations by remaining knowledgeable about immigration issues and advising international population and university personnel according to regulations. Ensure university compliance with all requirements of SEVIS and other regulations of the Department of Homeland Security having to do with various non-immigrant visa status.
• Develop internal controls to mitigate risk and maintain a current business continuity plan to ensure immigration processes remain in status. Provide strategic planning, advice, and guidance within the college on immigration-related options, requirements, policies, and procedures; provide information and clarification about immigration services to faculty and administration.
• Develop and maintain internal procedures and succession plans for the Visa and Immigration Services team using the Terra Dotta - SEVIS integrated software platform.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Directly supervise the Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor. Ultimate supervision of all Visa and Immigration Services staff.
• Assist with the hiring, supervision, development, and timely annual performance review of the Visa and Immigration Services staff.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Master’s degree in student personnel, higher education administration, international education, international relations, homeland security, or JD preferred.
• Must have U.S. Citizenship or lawful permanent residence for the purpose of SEVIS/the university’s Exchange Visitor Program to meet RO/ ARO/ PDSO/ DSO reporting requirements.
• 7+ years of experience working with international populations on high-volume visa petition preparation, preferably both student and employment-based (e.g., F-1s, OPT, J-1s, H-1Bs, TNs, Os, etc.) or 4+ years of experience working with international populations on high-volume visa petition preparation, preferably both student and employment-based (e.g., F-1s, OPT, J-1s, H-1Bs, TNs, Os, etc.) and a JD.
• Prior responsibility as an officer, designated school official (DSO) or alternate responsible officer (ARO) for a SEVIS visitor program required.
• Experienced with Terra Dotta a plus. Knowledge of tax treaties and U.S. tax law as it applied to nonresident aliens, nonresident alien tax reporting, and compliance issues are highly desirable.

Compensation: $80,000-$90,000 annually, benefits-eligible position
For those who are benefits eligible, we invite you to visit Bard's benefits website to learn more about our employee benefit offerings.

To Apply
Please submit a resume, cover letter and list of three professional contact references to Interfolio at: https://apply.interfolio.com/127891
Applications will be reviewed as received.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Bard College is an equal opportunity employer and we welcome applications from those who contribute to our diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, mental, or physical disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, familial status, veteran status, or genetic information.

Bard is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for all individuals in employment practices, services, programs, and activities.

AA/EOE