- Job Type: Officer of Administration
- Bargaining Unit:
- Regular/Temporary: Regular
- End Date if Temporary:
- Hours Per Week: 35
- Salary Range:
Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Associate Director, the International Student and Scholar Adviser is responsible for understanding the immigration laws of the United States related to J-1 scholars; and confers with other CUIMC departments, legal counsel, or governmental agencies as necessary; using independent judgement, advises international scholars on all immigration matters related to their presence at CUIMC; will act as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in issuing and administering required U.S. government documents to international J-1 scholars in order to obtain exchange visitor visas abroad, extend stay, apply, travel abroad, and re-enter the US successfully; collaborates with staff, schools, departments and outside organizations (including vendors) to plan and coordinate collaborative events as needed. Works on Sunapsis-related projects; Works with the ISSO Communications Team to ensure that the web presence of the ISSO website is kept up-to-date; assistance with H-1B petitions and the F-1 and J-1 student population (will act as Designated School Official (DSO) to assist the F-1 student population); additional assignments as needed by the Associate Director and/or the Director. Under the supervision of the Associate Director, the International Student and Scholar Adviser is responsible for understanding the immigration laws of the United States related to J-1 scholars; and confers with other CUIMC departments, legal counsel, or governmental agencies as necessary; using independent judgement, advises international scholars on all immigration matters related to their presence at CUIMC; will act as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) in issuing and administering required U.S. government documents to international J-1 scholars in order to obtain exchange visitor visas abroad, extend stay, apply, travel abroad, and re-enter the US successfully; collaborates with staff, schools, departments and outside organizations (including vendors) to plan and coordinate collaborative events as needed. Works on Sunapsis-related projects; Works with the ISSO Communications Team to ensure that the web presence of the ISSO website is kept up-to-date; assistance with H-1B petitions and the F-1 and J-1 student population (will act as Designated School Official (DSO) to assist the F-1 student population); additional assignments as needed by the Associate Director and/or the Director.
Responsibilities
- Day-to-day operations of the ISSO-CUIMC related to the international J-1 scholar and student population. The International Student and Scholar Adviser reviews and processes required U.S. government documents for international scholars to obtain and maintain scholar status, specifically Certificates of Eligibility (COE) for international J-1 scholars to obtain J-1 visas; advises scholars on incomplete COE applications and scholar inquiries; responds to inquiries from incoming scholars about COE and other immigration matters; recertifies COE for travel and re-entry to the U.S. Consults with the Director, Associate Director and Senior International Scholar and Student Adviser on current federal regulations, policies, the Code of Federal Regulations, secondary references, and more complex immigration cases. Maintains the email listserv for the international J-1 scholar population; Complies with federal SEVIS reporting and record keeping requirements; collaborates with staff, schools, and departments and outside organizations to plan and coordinate collaborative events as needed. Assists the Associate Director and Director with H-1B petitions. Assists in maintaining Sunapsis e-forms and other materials related to various immigration procedures for ISSO-CUIMC. Works on Sunapsis-related projects.
- The International Student and Scholar Adviser works with the Compliance, IT, and Communications teams to ensure alignment of Morningside and CUIMC processes and to ensure that the web presence of the ISSO website is kept up-to-date for J-1 scholars. Stays well informed of school policies and procedures as they affect international J-1 scholars. Assists Associate Director and Senior International Scholar and Student Adviser at various school-specific orientations and immigration workshops; refers scholars to the appropriate campus and community resources as needed; responds to general questions, inquiries, and correspondence from incoming and current international scholars and their academic departments; independently cultivates a professional presence within CUIMC and in the field through local and national partnerships and associations; and participates in regional and national international education conferences and meetings. When needed, will act as Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 student population and assist in coordinating F-1 visa related matters.
- The International Student and Scholar Adviser performs related duties and responsibilities as assigned/requested.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree and/or equivalent related experience required. BA in Liberal Arts, Management, Communications, or Education strongly preferred.
- Minimum 2 years relevant immigration regulation, advisement, and compliance experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Knowledge of J-1 scholar immigration regulations, and SEVIS.
Ability to communicate effectively with people from different cultural backgrounds; excellent organizational, interpersonal, and written and oral communication skills; strong computer literacy.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree in cross-cultural communication, counseling, area or cultural studies, foreign language, international education, or TESOL.
3 years administering and advising federal F-1 and J-1 immigration regulations as DSO/ARO in a higher education setting.
Experience with H-1B petitions, experience teaching/training/presenting; experience with Sunapsis and ServiceNow.
Fluency in at least one foreign language; experience living abroad; familiarity with Microsoft Office. Completion of NAFSA F-1 and J-1 Professional Development Programs.
Other Requirements
U.S. government regulations require that Designated School Officials and Alternate Responsible Officers be U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents.
Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.