Position Summary: 

The Assistant Director of the Office of International Affairs works with the Director of the Office of International Affairs and other campus offices to support incoming international exchange students and scholars and provide education abroad programming for the university.

Responsibilities:

International Student Services

• Serve as Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for J-1 international students and scholars and Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 students. Advise international students and scholars on the maintenance of non-immigrant visa status, including reporting requirements, academic issues, travel advisories, taxes, health insurance, driver’s license, Social Security number, and employment benefits. Assist the Director with planning and implementation of international student orientation each semester; hire and supervise international student orientation leaders. Coordinate administrative and academic support for J-1 international students across departments including International Admissions, Writing Center, Student Administrative Services, Residence Life, and Student Success. Assist the Director with maintaining complete records for all international students and scholars; complete SEVIS registration for all J-1 exchange students each semester; assist with SEVIS registration of F-1 students. Administer health insurance plan for international students and scholars; process enrollments, waivers, and billing. Liaise with academic departments, Center for Student Engagement, and advisors to assist international students maintain their student visa status and apply for off-campus work authorization (CPT, OPT, and Academic Training). Respond to international student concerns through Early Alert Report System (EARS). Counsel and support international students with issues relating to academic and cultural assimilation, home sickness, and other issues affecting retention.

Education Abroad

• Serve as primary adviser for all undergraduate education abroad programs. Oversee study abroad program facilitation, including recruitment, application processes, course registration, billing, visa applications, pre-departure orientation, transcript evaluation, and re-entry programming. Manage communication with study abroad consortia (ISEP, CCCU) and partner institutions abroad to coordinate nomination and application processes, billing, health insurance, and transcript evaluation. Assist the Director with the management of North Park University faculty-led education abroad programs; prepare faculty and students for travel through trainings and pre-departure orientation.

• Oversee the development of study abroad recruitment strategies and marketing tools, including study abroad fair, information sessions, social media platforms, and more.   Maintain updated program information, applications, and pre-departure forms in the study abroad application platform (ViaTRM) and making regular updates to study abroad website. Assist the Director with the development and implementation of international risk and crisis management policies and protocols; administer international health insurance policy, including enrollment and billing. Assist the Director with assessment of education abroad programs and completion of annual IIE Open Doors report. Identify funding and grant opportunities to expand access to students historically underrepresented in study abroad; serving as campus Gilman Scholarship Advisor. Represent the Office of International Affairs at new student orientation and other campus-wide events.

Professional Development

• Ongoing training in J-1 and F-1 advising. Maintain active membership in national and local professional organizations. Regularly attend and present at professional development conferences and events. Travel internationally and domestically to develop and maintain relationships with exchange partners and study abroad program providers.

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree; Master’s Degree Preferred
• Experience living, working, or studying abroad.
• Experience in study abroad advising and programming.
• Experience with the advising and cultural adaptation needs of F-1 and J-1 non-immigrant visa holders.
• Willingness to undergo additional training in F-1 and J-1 visa advising.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Understanding of the needs and assets of diverse populations.
• Ability to undertake occasional domestic and international travel.
• Ability to work occasional night and weekend hours.

• Ability to work independently and with a team of professionals.

• Ability to handle details accurately and confidentially.
• Computer literacy in Microsoft Office suite; familiarity with data management systems (preferably Ellucian) and commitment to data integrity.
• A personal commitment to and appreciation of the Christian mission of North Park University.
• In accordance with federal regulations, the Office Manager must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident in order to serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a division of the Department of Homeland Security.

Effective Date:  June 2022

NOTE: Nothing in this job description restricts the supervisor’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.