Location
Brooklyn, NY

Open Date
Nov 9, 2018

The Pratt Institute seeks a dynamic leader to join the Institute's Office of International Affairs. If you would like to be a Pratt difference maker click on the link to see how.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to managing the orientation and advising services and programs for over 1300 undergraduate and graduate international students, Language Training students, visiting scholars and exchange program participants for all Pratt Institute campuses (Brooklyn, Manhattan, Munson William Proctor). Responsible for overseeing the daily operations of a very busy international office that serves over 30% of the Pratt student body. The Director must also handle a large volume of immigration-related paperwork and monitor compliance with Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of State (DOS), Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and Social Security Administration (SSA) regulations.

Job Duties:

• Serves as the Principal Designated School Official (PDSO) authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to ensure Pratt is in compliance with the Federal Regulations for continued attendance of non-immigrant students.
• The training and supervision of all Designated School Officials (DSO).
• Updating information on Pratt Brooklyn, Pratt Manhattan, and Munson William Proctor's Form I-17, "Petition of Approval for School to Enroll Nonimmigrant Students."
• Submitting the recertification application in a timely manner to ensure Pratt's continued approval to enroll nonimmigrant students.
• Ensures international student clearance and Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) registration for fall, spring, and summer semesters for all new and continuing students.
• Ensures that all student records are kept up-to-date ie students' addresses, major, course load, etc.
• Serves as Responsible Officer (RO) authorized by the Department of State (DOS) for the Exchange Visitor Program to ensure Pratt is in compliance with the Federal Regulations.
• The training and supervision of all Alternate Responsible Officials (ARO).
• Ensuring that the program is administered according to the Department's regulations and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
• Submitting the re-designation application in a timely manner to ensure Pratt's continued approval to sponsor Professors, Research Scholars, and Exchange Students.
• Ensuring the validation of the arrival date and participation for all exchange visitors in the program.
• Meet all requirements set forth in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations such as submitting an annual report and health and accident insurance as specified by Federal Regulation.
• Keeps up-to-date and abreast of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s and the Department of State (DOS)'s rules and regulations.
• Submits annual verification for all DSO's and ARO's as well as self as PDSO and RO.
• Supervises legal aspects of institutional SEVIS compliance.
• Ensures that all institutional compliance details are covered when the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)'s field representative visits Pratt's campuses and certifies compliance with Federal Regulations.
• Ensures that the office provides excellent customer service to prospective, accepted, and enrolled students as well as Professors and Research Scholars.
• Develops and oversees policies and procedures governing the international office.
• Establishes and implements policies affecting international students and scholars.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with local, state, regional and national agencies and organizations, both public and private, which can be of service to international students and scholars.
• Ensures that employment-based workshops are provided for students and alumni ie Optional Practical Training (OPT), presentation by immigration attorneys for H1B, O, Permanent Residency, etc.
• Ensures that students and scholars have access to web-based tax information in order for them to file taxes in accordance with the Federal Regulations.
• Responsible for the supervision of the staff, the hiring of employees and the daily functions of the office.
• Responsible for establishing job standards for staff and effectively evaluating them.
• Works with VPs, Deans, Chairs, academic advisors, administrative offices and academic departments regarding the enrollment, retention, and employment of international students, which involves advocating for these students and assisting them with their transition to the USA.
• Counsel students on cross-cultural issues and foster greater campus-wide understanding and sensitivity to international students. Counsel students on F-l, J-l and other non-immigrant statuses, and all other aspects of DHS's rules and regulations. Interact with all levels of staff and external contacts.
• Manages and oversees the office budget.
• Ensures that office technology is up-to-date ie the purchase of computers and software.
• Manages and oversees the updates for the online I-20 request system.
• Manages and oversees the updates for Datatel (SEVIS batch process).
• Manages and oversees the updates for the website.
• Compiles enrollment statistics and reports for outside organizations (IIE/Open Doors) and for the Institute ie Administrative Summary, reports from Datatel (comparative student reports such as retention rates, student population, etc).
• Manages and oversees the accuracy of all electronic files.
• Supervises and plans the development, implementation, and management of international programs ie International Welcome day activities, the Annual International Food Fair, International Education Week, the Korean BBQ and Moon Festival, etc.
• Ensures that high quality support services are provided to assist international students and scholars as they adapt to a new cultural and academic environment.
• Works in conjunction with appropriate Institute and outside personnel to coordinate on- and off-campus activities for international students.
• Serves on various internal and external committees such as the scholarship committee, search committee, and non-profit boards (ex: One-To-World).

Qualifications

Education: Master's degree required in higher education administration, counseling, international education, or related field.

Experience: Eight (8) plus years' of responsible administrative experience in international student advising and/or administration of international education programs required. Expert understanding of Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Internal. Revenue Service regulations and requirements as applied to international students and visiting scholars including F-1/F-2, J-1/J-2, B-1/B-2, H-1/H-4 visas and other non-immigrant categories required. Experience with Exchange Programs and/or Study Abroad programs preferred

Skills:

• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, both oral and written with cross cultural sensitivity.
• International work and/or study experience and second language fluency preferred.
• Ability to work efficiently and independently in a high-paced environment with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work effectively as a team and promote team building.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in immigration software (SEVIS), Datatel Colleague, and Fortis.
• Chief advocate for International Education.
• Per Federal Government regulations, must be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

Application Instructions

Please submit your cover letter and resume. If you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to provide at least 5 References via our on-line reference tool system. At least 2 of your References must be, or have been, your direct managers.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate in hiring or employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, marital or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Pratt Institute recognizes and values the benefits of a diverse workforce.

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