Assistant Director, International Student Affairs

Wesleyan University, United States

Updated: over 2 years ago
Job Type: FullTime
Deadline: ;

Position Information
Job Posting Number S00961
Position Title Assistant Director, International Student Affairs
Department International Student Services-1159
Job Category Staff Posting
Position Type Full-Time
Pay Type Salaried
Salary Range
$50,800 – $59,500
Compensation Practices
Experience is taken into consideration in the determination of salary offers.  For more information visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/hr/handbook/compensation-practices/index.html
Position Details
Wesleyan University is currently home to approximately 360 currently enrolled F-1 visa holders and the alma mater of roughly 120 international alumni now working in the U.S. on post-completion employment. The University’s international student community is also inclusive of roughly 85 non-visa holders who self-identify as being from a country(ies) and culture(s) outside of the U.S. 
The Office of International Student Affairs (OISA), housed within the Division of Student Affairs, is the Wesleyan international community’s holistic resource for needs related to various aspects of their experience, including immigration, orientation, cultural adjustment, engagement, leadership, and advocacy. OISA provides immigration advising, documentation services, and information on topics such as visas, work authorization, travel, and maintaining status for F-1 student visa holders. The office monitors the regulations of government agencies that have jurisdiction over the stay of visa-holding international students and is responsible for maintaining institutional compliance with federal regulations and university policies. 
OISA also provides educational, social and cross-cultural programs and events that foster international student community-building, intercultural growth, and holistic success during their transitions in and out of the University and throughout their academic program. The office works closely with the International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) and other campus partners to build and maintain collaborative relationships and drive advocacy efforts in support of Wesleyan’s Global Cardinal (international student) community.  
Reporting to the Director of OISA, the assistant director advises F-1 and non-visa-holding international students and fulfills DSO responsibilities, including processing requests submitted via Terra Dotta, making student record updates in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and supporting the office’s SEVIS Registration process each semester. The assistant director also plays a key role in planning and coordinating OISA programs and events to foster international student integration and retention and enhance campus internationalization at Wesleyan. 
As an integral member of the OISA team, the assistant director helps support the office’s mission, functions, and evolution by fulfilling the following responsibilities:
COMPLIANCE & ADVISING SERVICES 
  • Serving as a DSO and regularly processing requests and updating student records via Terra Dotta and SEVIS
  • Guiding international students on maintaining F-1 status and related administrative and regulatory processes through one-on-one advising sessions, workshops, and webinars
  • Providing holistic advising support and referrals for non-immigration matters including cultural adjustment, English proficiency, academic, financial, and personal concerns, and university procedures
  • Recommending and approving immigration benefits for F-1 students, such as off-campus employment authorization (CPT, OPT, STEM OPT Extension)
  • Issuing I-20s and other immigration documents for incoming and continuing students as well as alumni on post-completion employment
  • Creating and updating educational materials relevant to immigration regulations and policies
  • Monitoring alerts and maintaining accurate student data and advising notes 
  • Assisting with cyclical federal reporting requirements such as SEVIS Registration


INTERCULTURAL PROGRAMMING 
 
  • Assisting in the planning and implementation of International Student Orientation (ISO), including hiring and training of ISO Interns and Leaders 
  • Taking a leading role in the development and implementation of a peer mentorship program for international students
  • Planning, marketing, and coordinating intercultural programs, events, and workshops offered by OISA and in collaboration with campus partners
  • Building student leadership opportunities into OISA’s programming and advocacy initiatives
  • Developing assessments and analyzing results to identify international student needs and improve OISA’s programmatic offerings

COMMUNICATIONS 
 
  • Supporting OISA’s compliance- and engagement-related messaging communicated via email, social media, newsletter, website and Terra Dotta
  • Collaborating with OISA staff to develop and improve pre-arrival communications for first-year international students 
  • Working with professional and student staff to improve content, accessibility, and navigability of OISA website 

ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES 
 
  • Participating in weekly meetings with OISA team, supervisor, and campus partners
  • Assisting in administrative work, including budget tracking, organizing arrival day logistics, winter break alternate housing registration, interviewing, hiring, training, and supervising student employees, processing student employee timesheets, and maintaining student files 
  • Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree and minimum of four years of professional and progressively more responsible experience working in international student services, international education, international admissions, student affairs, or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
A minimum of one year of experience as a DSO and/or ARO maintaining SEVIS records and advising a caseload of F-1 and/or J-1 students.
Demonstrated command of immigration regulations for F-1 and/or J-1 student visa holders.
Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, and coordinating programs and events.
Effective interpersonal and intercultural communication skills to work with a wide range of constituents including students, parents, staff, faculty, and community members.
Strong organizational and administrative skills with attention to detail and a high level of discretion managing confidential information. 
Ability to provide excellent customer service while finding solutions to complex problems and managing competing demands.
Demonstrated experience and competency working independently as well as collaboratively in a professional setting.
Willingness to work a flexible schedule including some nights and weekends.
 
Ability to meet all the requirements to be a DSO/ARO. 
Preferred Qualifications
Advanced degree from an accredited institution in international education, intercultural communication, or a related field. 
Two or more years of experience as a DSO working with international students in a college/university or other educational setting. 
Knowledge of best practices in program design and experience developing and coordinating peer mentorship/friendship initiatives for international students.
Prior experience with PeopleSoft Student Information System and Terra Dotta ISSS software strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of student identity development, intercultural communication theories, and/or student-centered advising practice .
Experience developing and facilitating workshops for students, staff and/or faculty and training students to serve in leadership roles.
Knowledge of and professional experience conducting international student services research, benchmarking, and assessment.
Knowledge of and professional experience incorporating DEI principles, social justice education, and/or student advocacy into ISS work.
Knowledge of and professional experience using plain language.
Participation and/or leadership in professional development organizations related to international student advising and/or international education such as NAFSA.
Proficiency in a language(s) other than English.
Experience living, studying, and/or working abroad. 
Management Competencies Not Applicable
Competencies Customer focus, Decision quality/ judgment, Organizational skills, Planning/priority setting, Project management, Respects diversity, Teamwork/collaboration, Commitment to sustainability
Special Instructions to Applicants
Applications are due by Monday, January 10, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. 
Additional Information
Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.
Wesleyan requires all employees to be vaccinated against Covid 19 unless they meet the criteria for a medical or religious exemption. New employees must be vaccinated prior to their start date. If an employee needs an exemption for medical or religious reasons, they must submit a request to Wesleyan and be approved before their start date.
Benefits
Wesleyan offers a broad range of employee benefits and development opportunities, including comprehensive group insurance plans, wellness programs and incentives, generous paid time off and retirement plans. We also offer flexible work schedules, employee and dependent tuition programs, as well as access to Wesleyan’s BLS & GLS programs for those who qualify (tuition is waived for up to 2 courses a term; some fees and taxes may apply).
Detailed information on the benefits of working at Wesleyan is located at: https://wesleyan.edu/hr/careers/prospective-resources.html .
Quick Link https://careers.wesleyan.edu/postings/8412

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