Primary Purpose |
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Under the direction of the Associate Dean/Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the Advisor provides excellent immigration and visa-related advising, programs, and services to the College’s international students, staff, and faculty. As part of the Middlebury-International team, the Advisor also helps advance Middlebury’s international education efforts.
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Responsibilities |
Works cooperatively with others and accepts direction from supervisors.
- Serves as one of the College’s Designated School Officials (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) in the government’s Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Helps ensure institutional compliance with federal SEVIS program requirements. Maintains immigration records in accordance with federal regulations and timelines.
- Provides comprehensive immigration services for approximately 600 faculty, staff and students (undergraduate, graduate, and exchanges students, as well as teaching assistants and recent alumni) in Middlebury’s academic-year and summer programs. This includes issuing initial visa documents (I-20s, DS2019s and so on) and advising nonimmigrant students, scholars, researchers, and their dependents on immigration and visa-related issues as well as the College’s policies and procedures via appointments, workshops, and programs.
- Counsels Middlebury’s departments/programs and provides reliable information on visa-related issues, including employment authorization, for incoming international population (students, faculty, staff and dependents). Contributes to development of College policies related to visa status issues.
- Actively participates in planning, developing, and implementing programs and services to support our international population both independently and in collaboration with other campus offices. Plays a key leadership role for specific ISSS programs and services as assigned (such as orientation programs, Friends of International Students host program, Winter Clothing Closet, winter break support, serving as advisor to the International Students’ Organization (ISO), hosting immigration workshops, and so on.)
- In consultation with Director, creates and updates important documentation pertaining to internal office procedures and keeping our international population and the broader community informed. Accesses data and prepares reports for internal and external use. Helps maintain the ISSS Web page.
- Represents Middlebury College to government offices and agencies concerned with international students and scholars in conjunction with the Associate Dean/Director. When Director is not available, represents ISSS to internal and external communities.
- Supervises ISSS staff on projects and outcomes related to responsibilities listed above. May recruit, hire and supervise student workers and volunteers depending on specific project oversight responsibilities.
- Assists the Director with daily oversight of the ISSS office. Actively participates in office planning processes and staff meetings; may represent ISSS on College committees or task forces.
- Contributes to cross-institution activities that support the fostering of a diverse community. This includes participation in task forces, working groups, and planning teams (such as Orientation), etc.
- Other duties as assigned.
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Education & Training |
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- Master’s degree in higher education or related field preferred.
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Experience |
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- Experience with SCT/BANNER student information system a real plus.
- 3-5 years related experience in higher education, a liberal arts college or similar environment preferred; 1-2 years experience in the field of international education desired.
- Counseling/advising skills and experience with conflict resolution preferred.
- Competency in a foreign language or overseas experience preferred.
- Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills (verbal and written) required.
- Strong management and leadership skills required.
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Knowledge |
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- Knowledge of immigration policies and procedures and employment issues affecting international students, staff, scholars, and faculty preferred.
- Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural issues and issues of diversity and ability to work well with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds/experiences required.
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Other |
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Must be able to work independently, prioritizing and managing many competing tasks successfully.
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Must be able to work at the computer for long periods of time; working knowledge of office computer applications required.
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Interest in and willingness to work with data and processes that have direct impact on institutional operations and on individuals’ lives expected.
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Proven record of taking initiative. Must be willing to take initiative and assume responsibility, but also work collaboratively as part of a team.
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Rigorous attention to detail and keen problem-solving skills highly desired.
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Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Legal Permanent Resident per federal regulations governing who can serve as Designated School Official (DSO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO).
- Interest in and commitment to professional development required.
- Active involvement with NAFSA and/or other appropriate professional associations preferred.
- Must handle confidential information in a discreet manner.
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