International Student Advisor

Job Description:

Institutional Overview:
Located in the historic Back Bay neighborhood in Boston Massachusetts and having recently merged with the Boston Conservatory of Music Berklee is the worlds leading educational institution in the instruction of contemporary and classical music dance and musical theater. The Berklee community consists of 5500 talented and diverse students 820 faculty members over 600 dedicated staff and an extended alumni network.
Berklee is committed to being an engaged culturally inclusive campus and embodies the diversity and enrichment international students contribute to the institution. Its international students comprise approximately 35 of the student populationamong the highest percentage of international students of any college/university in the nation.


Departmental Overview:
The Office of International Student Services (ISS) is an integral part of a dynamic Student Enrollment and Engagement division and operates under the Associate Dean Student Success Programs. The office provides a wide range of assistance and support to promote the transition and success of Berklees international student population. The office and its staff advocate on behalf of international students both within the college and to federal regulatory agencies to ensure that they are afforded every opportunity to complete their educational and professional objectives. ISS promotes a greater understanding and appreciation for all cultures across the institution.


Position Overview:
Reporting to the Associate Director of International Student Services the International Student Advisor (ISA) serves as a Designated School Official (DSO) and along with the other DSOs ensures institutional compliance with all federal regulations as well as maintenance of student and campus records through the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
The ISA helps international students integrate into the culture in the United States Boston and Berklee. The ISA provides advisement and counsel on social cultural academic personal financial career and immigration matters; assists in the planning and of international student success programs; and researches and implements best practices for effective service delivery. The ISA collaborates with campus partners to provide a holistic approach to international student success and serves as a resource for students staff and faculty with regard to international student support.
The ideal candidate is passionate about helping international students transition to their new life in the United States and supporting them throughout their educational journey at Berklee. We are seeking an enthusiastic professional who takes initiative in implementing new ideas based on their own experiences living/working abroad and serving diverse constituencies. Candidates must be willing and able to work some nights weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities:

Advising:

• Serve as Designated School Official/international student advisor and point of contact for 600 students.

• Research interpret and apply federal and institutional regulations and policies to the specific situations of international students in F1 nonimmigrant status.

• Ensure compliant reporting to federal governmental agencies via SEVIS and International Student and Scholar Manager (ISSM) as required by Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• Cultivate relationships and advise international students in regards to complex issues related to immigration regulations: maintaining lawful status; eligibility for parttime enrollment vacation semester Form I20 (Certificate of F1 Eligibility) revalidation program extensions practical training campus employment and other F1 benefits under DHS regulations.

• Issue new Form I20s for authorization and prepare relevant documentation and applications.

• Maintain integrity of student data in student information systems (Colleague and PowerCampus) and all campus technology platforms.

• Assist students with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) applications. Prepare supporting documentation for applications such as change of nonimmigrant status or reinstatement.

• Consult with other professionals/immigration attorneys when appropriate.

• Refer students to other staff within the College and to other campus or community resources as appropriate.

• Advise students on nonimmigration matters including oncampus academic and personal support resources clubs and organizations on campus and related academic logistical financial health travel and career development issues.

• Provide consulting services to offices faculty and staff with regard to international student issues (e.g. work permission intercultural topics etc..

Student Success Programming:

• Assist in the facilitation of workshops/informational/educational sessions on cultural and immigrationrelated topics.

• Assist in the planning and delivery of international student orientation for entering international students each semester focusing on their transition to American culture and the academic and cultural expectations of Berklee.

• Collaborate with international student faculty/advisors to support student needs.

Administrative and Other:

• Coordinate the maintenance of the Policy and Procedures Manual (webbased) for international advising in conjunction with supervisor.

• Assist in development and documentation of policies and procedures concerning international students.

• Assist with communications to international students regarding F1 status: travel guidelines SEVIS compliance immigration updates/reminders etc.

• Assist with projects within ISS to enhance efficiency and customer service.

• Recruit hire train and supervise ISS student employees.

• Serve on College committees and participate in College events.

• Participate in association/industry committees regional and national professional meetings (Third Thursdays NAFSA etc. in order to stay current with international student advising policies and practices.

• Establish and maintain relationships with key partners within and outside of the college.

• Network with other international student services professionals to ascertain best practices in the field. Understand trends/regulations nationally and internationally that will impact international student recruitment and services.

• Some weekend and evenings required.

• Other duties as assigned.

Eligibility Criteria:

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate with a diverse student population especially international students; good listening assessment and problemsolving skills demonstrated by relevant professional experience.

• Ability to understand and explain the complexities of college academic and curricular policy to students and assist students in implementing their educational plans while maintaining F1 status.

• Ability to organize multiple tasks with a high degree of attention to detail. Ability to meet deadlines.

• Excellent written and oral communication skills including developing creative communication (email presentation handouts etc. and facilitating large group discussions and presentations for nonnative speakers of English.

• Excellent judgment and ability to deal with difficult situations.

• Knowledge of advising and counseling techniques including student mental health and supporting students in navigating and adjusting to crosscultural differences.

• High degree of emotional intelligence including a strong social perceptiveness to be aware of others reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree from a regionallyaccredited institution.

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. legal permanent resident as mandated by federal regulations for all DSOs.

• Professional or paraprofessional experience at the university/collegiate level in the field of International Education and/or Student Affairs (Education Abroad International Student Services Multicultural Affairs etc. working directly with students (experience as a graduate assistant may be applied).

• Demonstrated intercultural competency; commitment to student service and ability to work effectively with students faculty and university representatives from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Experience specifically working with international students and competence in working with students from diverse cultures.

• Creative strategic and analytical thinker with the ability to manage multiple projects.

• Flexibility to work evenings and weekends.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters Degree from a regionallyaccredited institution preferably in counseling student affairs education social sciences international affairs or a related field.

• Bilingual in English and another language.

• Previous employment study or residence in another country; knowledge of world geography and cultures.

• Familiarity with higher education systems in other countries.

• Knowledge of DHS regulations governing F1 students; knowledge of SEVIS regulations and reporting requirements.

• Experience with SEVIS RealTime Interactive (RTI) and batch reporting systems. Knowledge of ISSM Colleague and/or PowerCampus.

• Experience interpreting federal legislation and policies.

This document does not create an employment contract implied or otherwise other than an at will employment relationship.

Diversity Equity Inclusion & Equal Employment Opportunity at Berklee:

We support an inclusive workplace where everyone excels based on personal merit qualifications experience ability and job performance. Berklee affirms that inequality is detrimental to our faculty staff students and the communities we serve. Our goal is to make lasting change through our actions. Berklee is committed to providing fair and equitable consideration of all employees and applicants without regard to race color religion ancestry age national origin place of birth gender sexual orientation gender identity or expression disability genetic information or status as a member of the armed forces or veteran of the armed forces or any other category protected by federal state or local law.

As part of this commitment Berklee will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process to perform essential job functions and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment please contact the Human Resources Team at or call.

Berklee is committed to increasing the diversity of our institution community and the curriculum. Candidates who can contribute to that goal are encouraged to apply and to identify their strengths in this area.

*Currently enrolled Berklee students are not permitted to apply for staff or faculty positions.*

Employee Type:

Staff