Director, Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS)

Job Title: Director, Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS)

Revised: January 2019

Status: Exempt Full time position, 12 month schedule

Wage Grade: 745

Reports To: Vice President, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Supervises: International Student Advisor

Overview: The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) supports and facilitates the transition of international students to the Augustana College community. The Office also advocates for and advises the international student population at Augustana College. The primary purpose of the Director of International Student and Scholar Services is to ensure that international students and scholars are provided with academic, social, cultural and non-immigrant visa support necessary to succeed at Augustana College.
The director performs a wide range of duties to meet the needs of international students including advising students on maintaining lawful status, resolving problems, and providing cultural and other programs. The director will work closely with Student Inclusion and Diversity, Admissions, Academic Affairs, Student Life, Residential Life and other offices throughout campus to ensure Augustana’s international students are successful inside and outside of the classroom. In addition, the director will insure that Augustana’s international student organizations are in a position to thrive.

Job Duties:

1. Serves as a contributing member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion unit, along with the Director and Assistant Director of the Office of Student Inclusion and Diversity and the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. This unit spearheads and guides the college’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, programs, goals and assessments.
2. Provides leadership and direction for the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) that supports the college's and the diversity and inclusion goals.
3. Serves as Principal Designated School Official and Responsible Officer for student Exchange Visitor Programs. Works in partnership with Admissions to issue initial I-20s and DS-2019 for F-1 and J-1 student visas.
4. Oversees SEVIS. Keeps abreast of non-immigrant visa regulations and changes impacting F and J visa classifications, advises international students and scholars on proper maintenance of status, and reports data to remain compliant with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Student Exchange Visitor Program.
5. Provides support related to immigration, advising, which may include advising for students experiencing academic difficulties, social programming, individual mentoring, and networking to the campus community. Insures student needs are met during break periods.
6. Plans International Student and Parent Orientations, International Education Week, cultural events and celebrations (i.e. Dawali, International Street Fest, Holi, Global Connections), and, along with other offices, provides a range of programs, trainings and other opportunities which meet the specific educational and social needs of Augustana’s international student population.
7. Liaises between international students and internal and external partners, including but not limited to Admissions, Residential Life, Academic Affairs, Student Activities, Financial Aid, Study Abroad and CORE. Present workshops on OPT/CPT to students and assist in preparation of appropriate documents.
8. Serves as a resource to academic departments in regard to international student related matters.
9. Supports the college's retention efforts through individual interventions with students, researching, developing and advocating for programs to retain international students.
10. Cultivates a campus culture and climate that raises global awareness, and supports diversity.
11. Plans, implements and evaluates programs and initiatives to create a welcoming environment.
12. Assists other units in coordinating arrangements for international visitors and visiting international scholars.
13. Supervises the International Student Advisor as well as a team of student workers. Provides robust performance feedback to ensure program goals and highest priority outcomes are achieved. Manages and administers the overall budget for the OISS.
14. Serves as staff advisor to international student clubs.
15. Maintain OISS website information that pertains to international student and scholar activity.
16. Assist with marketing and recruitment efforts, connect with Alumni.
17. Serves on interoffice committees / teams in collaborative efforts and continuous improvement.
18. Other duties as assigned.

Education: A master’s degree in student personnel, student development, higher education administration, student affairs, international studies or other field relevant to the growth and maturation of college students is highly preferred. A bachelor’s degree with extensive experience working with international students will be considered. U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident as required by federal regulations for certification as a Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer is required.

Skills & Experience:

• Knowledge of federal immigration regulations
• Three or more years of demonstrated successful experience in student affairs or working with college aged students is required
• Ability to develop, implement, and assess effectiveness of programs
• Strong administrative skills including organization, budget management, student supervision, event planning, and follow up
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
• Knowledge of best practices and trends related to international student populations
• Demonstrated experience in successfully implementing inclusive strategies on a college campus
• Ability to establish and maintain community partnerships and professional working relationships
• Experience building a supportive community among students and peers
• Expertise in and passion for working with students
• Bilingual or multilingual fluency highly preferred

Physical Requirements: Must be able to lift 15 pounds on a frequent basis. Also required is the ability to listen, hear, speak, read, write, climb stairs, bend, stoop, and stand for intermittently long periods of time. Must be able to use a computer to accomplish a variety of job tasks.

Special Requirements: As key personnel representing the College to students, this position requires excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to relate to a diverse student body, and the ability and willingness to model the mission and high standard of behavior of Augustana College. This position has frequent work obligations that involve evening and weekend work.

EEO Statement: Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College’s policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Note: This job description is subject to change and is not designed to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required by the employee.
Application Instructions: Interested applicants should send a cover letter with salary expectations and resume to humanresources@augustana.edu no later than February 8, 2019. Resume review will begin immediately. EOE