Primary Purpose |
|
Under the direction of the Associate Dean and Director of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), the International Student and Scholar Advisor provides excellent immigration-related advising, programs, and services to the College’s international students, staff, and faculty. As a member of the Office of Institutional Planning and Diversity team, the Advisor also helps advance the College’s institutional diversity efforts.
|
Responsibilities |
Works cooperatively with others and accepts direction from supervisors.
- 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.
- 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 faculty/staff in J-1 and H-1B status (≈200) and for
F-1 students (undergraduate, graduate, and exchanges students, as well as teaching assistants and recent alumni) (≈300) in the College’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 issues as well as the College’s policies and procedures via appointments, workshops, and programs.
- Counsels College departments and programs and provides reliable information on visa-related issues for incoming international population. Contributes to development of College policies related to immigration 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 (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 International Student and Scholar Services (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.
- Other duties as assigned.
|
Education & Training |
|
Master’s degree in higher education or related field preferred.
|
Experience |
|
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.
|
Knowledge |
- Must have knowledge of immigration policies and procedures and employment issues affecting international students, staff, scholars, and faculty.
- Experience with SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) required; Familiarity with SEVIS Real-Time Interactive (RTI) processing is a plus.
- Working knowledge of F visa regulations and procedures expected.
- Expertise with J-visa regulations and procedures, particularly the short-term scholars and professors, as well as knowledge of H-1B, TN and other visa categories preferred.
- Strong management and leadership skills required.
- Excellent interpersonal and intercultural communication skills (verbal and written) required.
- 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.
- Must handle confidential information in a discreet manner.
- Must be able to work independently, prioritizing and managing many competing tasks successfully.
- Must be able to work at the computer for long periods of time; working knowledge of office computer applications required.
- Must be able to carry out essential functions of the position with reasonable accommodation if disabled.
- Counseling/advising skills and experience with conflict resolution preferred.
- Competency in a foreign language or overseas experience preferred.
|
Other |
- 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.
|